Header paint or BBQ paint..... looking to paint my exhaust

[GS500er]

Looking to paint my exhaust, and I've recently read in one of the countless threads that some people use BBQ paint instead of header paint... Which is best?

I would like a good mix of looks and functionality...

Regards,
Eric

[mrdomino]

I used bbq heat paint on my headers and they are still looking good. Just make sure you let them dry fully before touching and your set. 

[Alphamazing]

From the FAQ Section: http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=23511.0

[che mike]

i used bbq paint on mine. it still looks fine but some brown is starting to come through; it's been about 9 months. my bike is stored outside and the pipes were so rusty before that i wasn't able to get it as clean as i would've liked prior to painting.

have you looked into powdercoat? supposedly that's the best best way to go.

[sledge]

In my experience no exhaust paint ever lasts, it looks good for a while but when the heat gets to it it soon starts to look crap. I picked this tip up from a profesional bike restorer I met at a bike show years ago and I do it regularly with my bikes when I clean them. It honestly does give fantastic results on black headers. Give the pipe a light rub down with fine wet/dry to remove the old paint and surface rust and apply black grate-polish, the results are amazing and you dont have to remove the pipes to do it. It comes in a tube like toothpaste but looks like black shoe-polish. This link shows you a before/after. There must be something similar available in the USA>
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2-Black-Grate-Polish-Cast-iron-fireplace-zebo-zebrite-B_W0QQitemZ220002686600QQihZ012QQcategoryZ63518QQcmdZViewItem

[Admiral Crunch]

I used a can of 1000F hi-temp paint from Wal-Mart.  Worked fine for me.  I don't know how picky you are about exactly how the color looks.  As long as no rust starts coming through, it's fine by me.  So far, so good.

[RVertigo]

I don't know how picky you are about exactly how the color looks.

Color?  Does it come in colors?

That would be funny...

Quick!  Someone paint your pipes orange!

[dgyver]

......Someone paint your pipes orange!

Just run the bike very lean....the pipes will be orange.


I used some high temp paint from Home Depot. Spent a lot of time getting the rust off with naval jelly and wiping it down with MEK. Eastwood sells some high temp header paint, which I have heard provides great results. I may try some next time I order from them.

[RVertigo]

Spent a lot of time getting the rust off with naval jelly and wiping it down with MEK.

Eeeeew!  You have navel jelly?

Srsly though...  What's that do for ya'?

[dgyver]

Spent a lot of time getting the rust off with naval jelly and wiping it down with MEK.

Eeeeew!  You have navel jelly?

Srsly though...  What's that do for ya'?

It is a rust remover.

http://www.loctiteproducts.com/products/detail.asp?catid=13&subid=47&plid=169

[John Bates]

I hear VHT Flame Proof Coating is good.  I haven't tried it though.