White Sidepipes

[rms427]

I had my side pipes aluminized. It's sprayed as molten aluminum. It ends up very rough but snow white. I had them done originally in 1970 and I had them redone once. The reason I had them redone is someone melted a sneaker on one of them. I should have just touched it up with high temp white since they were still in great shape except for the melted rubber. The second time the job was not as good and some has peeled off. I now just touch those places up every know and then. So it's been 46 years and about 50,000 miles.

[Bernica]

Thanks RMS427! I'll take the car on the left please!

[moore_rb]

Originally Posted by rms427

So it's been 46 years and about 50,000 miles.

Sorry to thread-jack Bernica's topic, but Ray, I love your car... I have seen a few pictures of it here and there, and I would dare say that from a styling standpoint, it is my absolute favorite original Cobra.

It, along with csx3279, have served as design references for the "street car with a scoop and sidepipes" look that I have been going for with my own, less impressive Fisher-Price Cobra...


To 66GTK's comment about painting over ceramic-coat: That should not be an issue at all. High-temp ceramics (Jet Hot, etc.) are designed to contract and expand at the same rate as the substrate metal beneath them, and if you scuff sand the ceramic and remove all surface contaminants , then high-temp paint should go right over the ceramic without any adhesion issues... Not sure why your collectors are not cooperating..


Regarding off the shelf products - This is all JMHO (take it or leave it), but extreme heat applications like headers is an area where "cheaper is better"

Silicone resin based high temp paints (barbeque paints) are going to apply easier, and hold up better, than more expensive enamel paints (like VHT)

The heat ratings on the best high-temp enamels barely approach 1000F, whereas Silicone high temp paints can endure up to 1300F.

VHT-style enamels are best used for engine blocks, engine bays, transmissions, and other "lower-high temp" applications-

The trade off is finish - high-temp enamels have a slightly smoother finish (they may not be "glossy", but they are "glossier" than the ultra-flat finish with high-temp silicone paints)

But for durability, longevity, heat tolerance, ease of application, and cost, barbeque paints win for me, hands down.