Pipes painting

[MoFunthanmost]

Hey all.
I'd like to paint the pipes on my bike. just matt black or something, as they're starting to get a bit of surface rust and i want to nip that in the bud and protect it somewhat from future attack.

Just wondering what experiance people have had with the high temp spray paint from repco/ super cheap auto? I know getting it powercoated etc would be better, but lack of $$$ an issue - isnt it always?
cheers,

Mo

[trumpy]

Used to paint my race car headers and pipes with the stuff. Worked just fine. Found that if I painted them (you'll need several coats - how many depends on the colour) and then put them in an oven at about 400deg for about an hour the paint lasted much longer, usually about 12months. Bear in mind these were on a single seater and exposed to the sun and elements.
The can may tell you to run the moter and get the pipes hot but I found my method made it last longer. No guarantees tho.........

[MoFunthanmost]

anyone have a large oven i can use?

[Pixie]

The oven cure is recommended,as the tail end of the pipe won't get to the required temperature.
PPC do a top quality heat paint - Black Velvet,it's twice as expensive than the spray can stuff but it's good.
PPC 0800 428282
Or www.por15.co.nz

[TLDV8]

I found on things like 4 into 1 pipes,if i gave them a coat of VHT or similiar.After refitting the pipe,started the engine and let it idle until it just started to smoke then shut it down and let it cool.... did that a few times and the paint seemed to last a lot longer and be more durable. (fwiw)

[MoFunthanmost]

Am I right in assuming I need to cure each coat?
havent bought any paint yet, so cant check a can...

[number33]

Mo, exhaust paint on a motorbike is a waste of money unless you sell the bike soon. HPC or similar is more the cure.

[Silage]

I think you will find that if your zorsts are just painted on you will have trouble with the law, and get really hot legs

Used VHT spray on stuff to patch up scrapes on mine and it seems OK.

[MoFunthanmost]

I think you will find that if your zorsts are just painted on you will have trouble with the law, and get really hot legs

not painting the cans, just the pipes to em...

EDIT: doh, just reread that - yeah, would need a much quiteter helmet too. !

[sefer]

I used some Dulux High Heat Black paint on my G/F's scooter to great effect. There was the issue that like most similar paints it should be heated to 200c to cure properly, but I used a combination of running the scoot and a heat gun to get the highest temp possible and it seems to have worked fine.

I've only just done a (rather half-assed) coat onto my own pipes, but haven't tried to cure it yet. Still they look 100% better than what they did, even with the somewhat lacking number of coats and not great prep.

[Pixie]

not painting the cans, just the pipes to em...

EDIT: doh, just reread that - yeah, would need a much quiteter helmet too. !

You only have to cure the paint after the final coat has been applied.
If you are not doing the cans,then you won't need to oven cure them.The headers and collector will get hot enough in normal running

[Wasp]

anyone have a large oven i can use?

mabye, my grandad used to run/own a sign making company (lotto mobil telecom.......) and theres some stuff left over. im sure theres a press but there might be an oven too.

I'd be interested in doing mine too aye.

[k1w160]

Gidday, if you are painting over the original chrome it doesnt matter what you do, it will come off after a little while (exerience talking here) the only way to do it properly is to have the chrome stripped of prior to painting - it's expensive though. If you are painting over existing black paint the golden rule is the same as any painting - preperation is everything. Take the time to give the old paint a thouough sanding with say 400 wet & dry, and before painting give the pipes a complete wash down with wax and grease remover (can be bought from your local hardware / Mitre 10etc). Then paint several coats and let it cure as per above recommendations. I did my SV1000S cans this way and they have lasted perfectly for 10,000km. Oh by the way, painting the cans is no problem with the fed's, it's the modified louder cans that they will get you with the new "boy racer" powers they now have. CU.