Ceramic coating on exhaust and metal expansion.

[88Nightrider]

I have bought a set of Highway Hawk exhausts for my motorcycle:
http://webshop.highwayhawk.com/websolut ... =PCS&cpl=2
(the picture is for a V-twin engine, but other then the length and bends it look the same).
I was thinking of having it ceramic coated on the inside (just the inside. its chrome on the outside, and I want it to stay that way) to take away some of the heat (stock exhaust is triple (3) walled), as the engine is aircooled and both pipes are in front of the engine. And I have read that keeping the heat in the exhaust helps keep the velocity up, witch might help performance.
Just tell me if I'm wrong here
After reading on a forum that someone had there exhaust coated (other manufacturer, but same bike), and after a short while it started to flake off. Conclusion was that the metal the exhaust was made from had a too high expansion rate for the coating applied.
I contacted Highway Hawk and asked what metal it was made from (took 2,5 months to get a reply btw):

Sorry for the late reply.

The quality P235TR2 ( DIN 1626 materiaal St.37.0)

Hope this will help.

Rgds,

Highway Hawk.

Would this type of metal expand too much?

Thanks

[Alan Roehrich]

Thermal barrier aluminum/ceramic high temperature exhaust coatings simply will not adhere to chrome plated metals. It has nothing at all to do with thermal expansion.

Check out www.nitroplate.com for the straight scoop on aluminum/ceramic thermal barrier coatings.

[88Nightrider]

Thank you Alan
So in other words, the guy that did that exhaust did no know about this...
There is no type of "primer coat" that can be applied to help with this?
I really don't want to remove the chrome..
Is there another type of coating that I can use on the inside if the exhaust then? Maybe get a fine layer of carbon on the inside!?

[Alan Roehrich]

Thank you Alan
So in other words, the guy that did that exhaust did no know about this...
There is no type of "primer coat" that can be applied to help with this?
I really don't want to remove the chrome..
Is there another type of coating that I can use on the inside if the exhaust then? Maybe get a fine layer of carbon on the inside!?

I have no way of knowing what the person who did the coating job you spoke of knows. I can tell you that I do some work for/with NitroPlate, the chief engineer and chief operating officer is a very close personal friend. In order to apply the coating, all chrome plating, including the chromium, the nickel, and the copper must be removed. We actually have a chrome shop that does that for us.

NitroPlate is part of a company called Servitech Industries, which is one of the largest and oldest companies of its kind, a coating applicator for the OE automotive industry, including GM, Ford, Chrysler, and Volvo truck, as well as for various OE automotive suppliers. The coating and the process used for the Nitroplate coatings is aerospace/mil spec quality and certified as such.

No one I know of is aware of any type of coating that could be applied to your exhaust system with the chrome plating still on it.

[88Nightrider]

I have no way of knowing what the person who did the coating job you spoke of knows.

It was said he tried to do it two times. The second time he had been talking to someone, and tried mixing it ti get a better result.

In order to apply the coating, all chrome plating, including the chromium, the nickel, and the copper must be removed. We actually have a chrome shop that does that for us.

Its in situations like this I really wish I lived in the US. All of this is really expensive here.. Manley due to the fact that it is a more limited marked.
I think I can get the chrome off myself. Idk about the others tho. I have hydrochloric acid, and was thinking about trying it on some old chrome parts.

The coating and the process used for the Nitroplate coatings is aerospace/mil spec quality and certified as such.

Nitroplate coatings are applied by means of either the dip/spin method or by using a traditional spray booth, depending on application and need

How mush heat is needed to cure the coating? In general when it comes to ceramic coating.
I have the equipment for applying powder coat "paint". Just not tested it yet...

No one I know of is aware of any type of coating that could be applied to your exhaust system with the chrome plating still on it.

I appreciate you taking your time answering me on this.

Thank you Alan

Yngve

[Alan Roehrich]

The good coatings are already mixed, for the most part, and are not something you "mix" yourself. In order to purchase and apply the coating NitroPlate uses, you have to have a license, which entails getting all sorts of training and certifications, as well as having the necessary equipment. Without these prerequisites, you cannot even buy the coating.

Taking chrome off can be extremely difficult and hazardous, you can ruin the parts, or ruin your own body. It is not a "DIY home project", I'd advise against doing so. I don't want to see anyone hurt or killed, or their property destroyed.

The coating is a liquid, not a powder coat, and requires specific equipment to apply correctly, as the film thickness is critical, it is not like applying powder coating or paint.

The coating is cured at 700 degrees for a specific period of time, in a strictly controlled environment, depending upon the size, shape, and material of the part. Any lower temperature will fail to fully cure the coating. That's why we say we cure our coating before we ship the part to you, we don't want you curing our coating after you get it, in an uncontrolled method and environment.

Nitroplate is an excellent company, and has an excellent product, with great service. We are very happy to help people and give them the correct answers in regard to the products and applications.

I certainly understand how difficult and expensive it is to try to take part in this hobby in places outside the U.S.

[MadBill]

Alan, did you miss that he wants to coat only the ID of the pipes? There's no way that's chromed...