Painted my SPF Sidepipes (Black)

[Bob In Ct]

Hey Guys:
After 3 years of maybe/maybe not I got up the courage to paint my sidepipes rather than go the powder coat route. I decided to remove the pipes rather than do them on the car. I also decided to go the rattle can route. Mark (I think) at dynamic sent me new hardware to fasten back to the headers along with new gaskets. He also sent me 2 cans of HT Silicone Coating in black. We just got back from our first ride and the pipes look terrific!

If you're going to go this route I would offer this advice. After painting allow them to dry in the sun. After they dry, wrap them in kitchen plastic wrap, it will protect them while going back on. Use a light coat. I also allowed them to cure on the car by running it a while and then letting the smoke clear. I did this a couple of times. The smoke disappeared in a short time.

A question, I torqued the bolts to 25 ft-lbs. Is this enough?

Bob

[ROSS WEAVER]

Bob,

I went the same route as you did at first. They look good for a while, but then need to be repainted again and again and again. Well, you get the picture. I ended up ceramic coating them. It wasn't cheap, but they still look good after six years.

Ross

[mikiec]

I painted my pipes from the start 3.5 years ago. I re-paint them about every 6 months. In that time I used 2 cans of paint. Cost 10.00 total. Cost of ceramic coating $250.00

I have a long way to go.

Mike

[XXQQQME]

I imagine all of us Cobra guys go thru the same thing when trying to decide how to treat the exhaust. I made a list of possible candidates and did research on each one . . .

1. Paint?
2. Color/Finish?
3. Ceramic Coat
4. Let Cost determine decision?
5. Chrome Plate?

First I decided that I wasn't going to let cost play a part in the decision seeing as I already had a fortune invested. Secondly I considered the maintenance as in repainting, or "bluing" from heat.
Finally I decided to go with ceramic coating after I had seen the headers on a '64 Valiant with a Hemi. I originally wanted them in white, to match white skunk stipes, but had to settle for "chrome". The process is called "Ceramachrome" and I very pleased with the way they turned out. A little dulling near the heads but side pipes still shine. Check out my gallery for pics.

[Excaliber]

PAINT!!!! No question for me! I like to "change" things around from time to time. I touch them up with flat black Hi Temp occasionally. NOT a "re-paint", a "touch up".

I'm going to be painting mine WHITE soon. I'll do it on the car, just mask off the behind them etc. Don't want it to become a HUGE under taking, keep it simple,,,,,, like a can of paint!

Radical guy that I am I will also be painting my WHEEL inner sections white.

I love paint in a can!

OH, sidepipes stainless steel or chrome? NOT anymore! I has stainless on my Excalibur, hotter than hells core. The painted black side pipes on the ERA are WAY cooler (and I can "play" with them)!

[Roscoe]

I use Rustoleum BBQ paint. Nice flat finish like oxide.

Roscoe

[XXQQQME]

Slick,
Have you painted the inner sections of your wheels before? If so how did you get the paint off? Sand/media blast? Solvent/Thinner etc? Did you do it your self or have it done professionally? How Much?

Thanks,
Kim