Painting an exhaust pipe - any paint recommendations?

[azdirtrider75]

I've got a stock exhaust pipe off of my 2002 KX250 that I'm wanting to clean up and make look nice. I sanded it down and sprayed it with high temp rustoleum (flat black like a BBQ ). It looks good now but I'm not confident that it will last past a few rides; it seems to scratch and mark easily. Has anyone out there painted there pipe? If so, how did it work and what did you use? I checked out an auto parts store and they have paint that is specific for exhausts but they require sand blasting the pipe down to bare metal. I don't have access to a sand blaster and don't care to pay someone to do it (rather just buy a new pipe).

[bigbellybob]

a lot of high temp paints need to bake on. try getting the pipe up to full temp then let it cool and see if it hardens it.

[azdirtrider75]

Good point, I'll try that and see if it makes a difference; Then see if I need to re-paint it.

[Johnniespeed]

While a new pipe is cheaper, the time may come where you have to coat an exhaust system with something that lasts. I have always heard of Jet Hot Coatings, but not until last year did I try it.  The exhaust system on my Isetta hangs down a little under the body and shows, I felt that anything I painted it with would only look good for a month or two. So I sent the exhaust to Jet Hot Coatings, the end result is that the muffler and pipes look like polished aluminum and are guaranteed for three years. It did however cost $150 but the appearance was worth every penny.
 This information may not apply to your 250, but it is good to know about.
 John

[azdirtrider75]

Thanks John, I'll put my painted pipe back on this week and let it go through a couple heat cycles and ride it for a couple months and see how it lasts. I'll likely either re-paint it periodically or get a new pipe.

[DoldGuy]

Powder Coat It!!

[gwcrim]

The best luck I ever had with painting an exhaust involved sandblasting a set of brand new headers and three coats of hi temp paint.  Years later the headers looked great.  The paint stayed put almost like it was baked one.

[bigbellybob]

i have had good luck with VHT very high temperature (Flame Proof) header paint. good for temps 1300-2000~F. its a silica ceramic coating. this stuff comes out of the can very powdery, and it leaves almost a fuzzy coating. you can then bake the pipe in a oven or cure it on the bike. the can has the temps and time for baking. on the bike, you let it idle for 10 minutes, then for 20 minutes, then you ride the bike for 30minutes, letting it cool between cycles. after that the pipe will be very durable and the fuzzy gone. prep is not too bad, just sand the best you can and clean very good. cleaning IMO is the most important part of any paint job. use something like paint thinner/mineral spirits and fallow the cans instructions.

[azdirtrider75]

Thanks for the input everyone. Wish I would have read the post about baking in an oven yesterday. I just put the pipe back on the bike. Darn, I guess I'll just have to go riding this weekend.

[azdirtrider75]

Rode the bike last Saturday (Jan 24) the paint appears to be holding up. (High Temp Rustoleum, flat black BBQ paint) For all of you stuck in the snowy, cold, winter; HA HA! Saturday's temp was 75 and perfect. It had rained Thursday and Friday, so Saturday was about the best it gets; tacky dirt, no dust, clear skies, perfect temp, etc.