High temp ceramic coatings

TonyMadrid · #1 (**permalink**) 07-28-2003, 04:02 PM

Hi Guys,

I am looking for a shop in the NY, NJ, PA, or CT area that does high temperature ceramic coating for my headers and sidepipes.

A few of the shops I found offer the service but they have to freight the pipes & headers out Mississippi and the cost is quite expensive.

Any leads on a shop will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Tony

Bob Putnam · #2 (**permalink**) 07-28-2003, 04:09 PM

Airborn Coatings in East Hartford, CT does our work. Good quality at a reasonable price.

SSSnake · #3 (**permalink**) 07-28-2003, 07:16 PM

We had Prism Powder Coating Services do our headers in Cerma-Krome? and the sidepipes in a black ceramic. They did an amazing job. They do all types of powder coating in any color imaginable.

www.prismpowdercoat.com

Glenn

Lew Ledyard · #4 (**permalink**) 07-28-2003, 08:27 PM

I want to coat my headers and side pipes with ceramic coating. The side pipes will be black. I was going to coat my headers black too, but I had heard that coating them silver would reduce the underhood temperature. Is this true?

TonyMadrid · #5 (**permalink**) 07-29-2003, 07:46 AM

Many guys have their headers coated withthe same silver ceramic coating that have their sidepipes coated with. I don't know if silver vs. black has any substantial impact on the underhood temperature; but I have heard from some of the guys that coating the headers silver can present a problem with staining. I have that if oil leaks onto a hot silver coated header it can stain and spot the finish. I just spoke with Scott at Airborn Coatings (Bob, thanks for the lead) and he said that any staining or spotting can be buffed out.

Tony

jerry w · #6 (**permalink**) 07-29-2003, 11:49 AM

Tony,

I picked up some literature from JC TECH COATINGS in Syracuse NY. www.jctechcoatings.com 315 263-1206 They advertise cramic coatings, powder coatings and thermal barrier coatings. I have not dealt with them yet, so I have no recommendation on their service and product. Maybe someone can comment on them. Good luck, Keep posting pic's your and inspiration to a future A & C builder!

Jerry

jerry w · #7 (**permalink**) 07-29-2003, 01:29 PM

Tony,

I called a local firm up here, Powdertech. They are located in Schenectady NY. 518-356-1322 they don't do Ceramic coating in Schenectady but they have an agreement with "jet-hot" coatings and sub out the work to them.

TonyMadrid · #8 (**permalink**) 07-29-2003, 07:50 PM

Thanks Jerry,

I have been in touch with a few outfits who vend out to Jet Hot. The problem is that the pipes and headers have to freighted out to Jet Hot. Jey Hot doe sall of their ceramic coating in Mississippi or Arizone and the freight cost can be coast prohibitive.

I contacted Airborn in CT and it seems that they might be my solution. They charge $375.00 to coat both headers & sidepipes.

Thanks about your comment regarding my build and I should have more pics to post soon. My body is being delivered this Thursday.

Tony

jerry w · #9 (**permalink**) 07-30-2003, 05:34 AM

Tony,

Interesting I did not know that about Jet Hot, I will be interested in how you make out with Airborn, as I am considering the same for my headers and sidepipes. Good luck!

Jerry

TonyMadrid · #10 (**permalink**) 07-30-2003, 08:20 AM

Hi Jerry,

I spoke with the guys at Airborn and there may be one small problem. They say that if you have your sidepipes welded to your headers, as one unit, there may be a problem in the polishing process. They say that because of the size of the piece, their polishing sand tumbler may not produce a brilliant finish on the entire piece. They suggest that if I go that way I would then have to spend a day polishing and buffing the areas that didn't shine up by hand.

They prefer to do the headers and the sidepipes separately.

A&C's headers and sidepipes do not come with bolt flanges and they are a slip fit.

I believe I have a solution. Take an exhaust pipe reducer 2" OD x 1-3/4" ID. Have the larger end welded into the sidepipes. The sidepipes should then have a tight fit over the header pipes that are 1-3/4". Once measured up for the correct spacing of the sidepipes to the frame & body weld on bolt tabs to the sidepipes and the header tubes (would probably only need two on each setup). Once all the welding has been completed the pipes and headers can be coated and polished separately.

I am planning to try that route and to have my headers coated in a matte black finish and the sidepipes coated in silver.

Once done and the two pieces are slipped together, if there are any gaps where the two come together you can use a high temperature silicone to seal the gaps.

Hopefully my pipes and headers should be completed within the next two weeks, I'll let you know how it works out.

Tony

jerry w · #11 (**permalink**) 07-31-2003, 01:44 PM

Tony,

Thanks for the tip on the sidepipes. Sounds as if your solution should work. Post some pics after you get them coated, as I will not be getting my frame for another month, I am living vicariously through your build.

Jerry

TonyMadrid · #12 (**permalink**) 07-31-2003, 02:17 PM

Hi Jerry,

Please don't put all your eggs in my basket. We wouldn't want to end up being the blind leading the blind.

So far, my build has been going quite well and so far I am pleased with the A&C product. However, today I am not a happy camper. I used the delivery service that A&C recommended and they delivered my rolling chassis pronto with no snags. The rest of my kit, body, interior, etc. was scheduled to be delivered today and I took a day off from work today, waiting in anticipation of the delivery. It is currently 4PM EST and now it seems that I won't be getting my delivery today. I have not heard from the people who are delivering the items so I called A&C and they were not able to offer me a time frame or explanation other than that the deliverer had a breakdown.

As I was typing this post I received a call from the deliverer and now I'm being told that their truck broke down and I won't get delivery until Monday. This has really upset my schedule. I lost a days work, I had friends lined up to help me maneuver the body in my garage, I had a painter lined up to look at the body tomorrow for painting my stripes. I also had plans of mounting the body to measure up for my sidepiepe cutouts so I could take the pipes and headers Monday to be welded and then off to get hot-coated. I estimate that this set me back at least a week.

Anyway, my advice to you is this. If you pay in the thousands for a product you should expect a decent product; and the product is good. You should also expect service, especially if you use the carrier the kit car company recommends. My experience is that the product is good but the service is lacking.

Now I am in the process of seeking out a carrier who would be willing to pick up and deliver my car tomorrow. No one at A&C or at the carrier they recommended will reimburse me for the time I had to take off from work and the setback with respect to the painter and welder and coater.

My intention is not to slam A&C but maybe shopping for your own carrier may be an advisable option. I know that if you do find your own carrier, they too may have a breakdown, but at least you should expect a phone call to let you know what's happening.

Have to go now and see if I can find another carrier. Don't want to wait until Monday.

Tony

jerry w · #13 (**permalink**) 07-31-2003, 06:44 PM

Tony,

What bad luck! Hope you get the carrier situation corrected pronto so you can salvage your build schedule. I will heed your advice. I live four hours from Buffalo and have always considered picking up and transporting all my components. With your experience, I now am seriously considering it. Hang in there, don't give up, and be resourceful, it will be worth it in the end.

Jerry