White Sidepipes

[66gtk]

Well after 2 failed attempts with the VHT Flameproof, we've come to the conclusion that their claims of 1300-2000 are entirely bogus. The collector area can survive the prescribed curing process on the can, but it can't survive a short 2 minute drive. Total crap - stripped to bare metal and used their primer and still FAIL. I'll never use it again. Went to Home depot and purchased the white BBQ style paint (BBQ on the label) for $4/can and it is sticking. It has discolored to a bisque type color at the collector and tip, and the muffler section remains very white for now. At least it is sticking and I'll have to live with the discoloration for now until ceramic coating will fix all ills. This has been a time consuming project and I don't want anybody to have to go through this again.

[patrickt]

On a slightly off topic aspect of this thread, I used my thermo laser temp gun to check the temperature of the charcoal when I was grilling chicken this weekend. It was 795 degrees. The hottest my pipes on the Cobra have ever gotten to is just under 500 -- measured just outside the fender well. If it were me, I would test the paint on my BBQ first, not my side pipes.

[Large Arbor]

The VHT flat white only works short term. I did have some success of painting and going through the curing process. The header fade occurred so I think put a fresh coat on and it stayed whiter. I think ceramic coating or jet hot coating is the solution. The quote I got was $750 per side and I am not ready to spend that yet.

Phil

[Large Arbor]

I may have found a white side pipe solution. I used a stove flat white paint from I think Alvin products. It discolored slightly at the hottest points but did not flake off. I will give it a week or so and report back, but so far so good.

Phil

[66gtk]

Just to restate - the cheap Rustoleum BBQ paint (it was available in white) did indeed stick well and has not flaked off (unlike the far more expensive VHT). It did discolor a bit from the heat at the collector, but it remains stable. I suspect a fresh coat on top of the discolored area may help, but this has not been attempted since I no longer own the car. I did get a chance to drive it again less than 2 weeks ago - nearly 5 months after the BBQ paint application and it still looks the same (sadly, hasn't been driven during that time).

[Large Arbor]

If mine stays on, I plan to pull them off this winter and blast off the old paint. I then will ceramic coat the insides down as far as I can go into the pipe and then repaint the outside. The paint seemed a whole lot better than the VHT stuff and I used the primer as well. if I can get the collector pipes a little cooler, I think it will stay white.

Phil

[moore_rb]

Originally Posted by 66gtk

Just to restate - the cheap Rustoleum BBQ paint (it was available in white) did indeed stick well and has not flaked off (unlike the far more expensive VHT). It did discolor a bit from the heat at the collector, but it remains stable.

The cheap Rustoleum paint is what I used on my muffler-less "weekend" pipes... and I used the Rustoleum flat black on my other set of muffler'd "sane" pipes.

Sometimes the cheapest, easiest option turns out to be the best overall solution.




I gave up on VHT products 15 years ago- Too expensive, and a little discoloration is preferable (to me) to having the finish flake off.

Besides, I think white pipes look the best after they have "burned in" to a nice tan color up front, and have a gotten a few rock chips... Looks very old school.

[Turbonut48]

My builder had stainless repros of the originals made. Then hot coated them. Yeah, overkill. They were good until rain threw dirt on them and they discolored. I used High temp flat to touch them .They look great until they get mud or such on them.

The Nut

[Large Arbor]

ok, I used the paint I got, Did the primer in grey and flat white overtop and voila no discoloration and no flaking. I plan to now remove the pipes and completely redo the entire pipe. Not bad for $30 worth of paint.

Phil