Exhaust Coatings
 

Reading Mikes thread on side pipes the subject of HPC coatings came up. I am considering rebuilding my pipes and coating them this time(previously painted with non perfed heat shield)

Some years back I was told that the silver finish is the most durable as it's got the highest aluminium content, although I am lead to believe the process is a ceramic based coating.

Some points I'd like cleared up if you can help;

Do colours such as white perform ok?

Is tempurature insulation on other colours as good as the silver?

Are all HPC's the same? Is it a different product that JetHot use to others?

Is it sprayed on or are the pipes dipped?

To what standard of finish should the pipes be prepared to? i.e. sanded, blasted, etc.

Howtight/sloppy to make slip joints before coating?

Any thing else worth knowing?

Thanks in advance.

I can answer a few of your questions and tell you my experiences
 

SLIPRY

David,

Not a direct answer but my pipes were no cheaper at Jethot coating. I have since spoken with the guys in the Gippsland area at HPC and they are similiar.

Wish I went there first..:eek:.

My pipes are an aluminium colour. Colour is/was spot on. My early gallery pictures have the shorter aluminium/aluminum pipes. Then I swapped to a longer muffler and used black heat paint. I even covered the Jethoat coating with the spray can product..:eek:

I do not know about white. You may find trouble with keeping the bends clean at the point the pipes exit from under the front fender/guard. This does get a lot of rubbish off the road and the front wheels throw up a bit also.

Regarding the way they apply, I have since found out that my mufflers were rolled in a bead and water bath and that was why the inner was stuffed. They were full of white ceramic beads.

I cannot confirm this process, so I am only saying the pipes and coating is of a poor quality due to the coating flaking off and the mufflers being ruinned.

Re the coating, they did go dark immediately at the exhaust flanges at the head. A little later it flaked off around any welds.

My pipes were brand new and polished and prepared. They were good enough for chrome.

As far as joints, they painted the lot and I rubbed it off the inside prior to fitting until they slipped together easily.

I do not know if the end product was dipped or applied similiar to the powder coating process.

Perhaps ring HPC direct.

Bernie

David,

This is how I understand it but best to contact HPC. Their brochure is pretty good. The Qld HPC has web but last time I checked the Vic Leongatha branch did not

Apparently all HPC are coated silver and colour added, in my case black.

if using sliding joints they need to be loose as coating is relatively thick. I had to sand off some to make fit.

Pretty easy to maintain in black but white/silver maybe more difficult.

The HPC coating looks very different to Jet Hot so I think the process is different. I believe HPC is sprayed on.

Make sure pipes are perfect( good enought to chrome) as the finish shows up all imperfections.

Cost for side pipes and headers about $700.

Very happy with the job done by HPC at Leongatha.


Phil

Hi David,

I heard bad things about Jet Hot from several people. ie rust, aluminium look going dark or dull.

I heard good things about HPC.

I had my entire system coated by HPC about 4 weeks ago. Looks great but I have not started the engine yet.

I was told that colours cost more than the aluminium look because they coat it with the aluminium look and add the colour later.

HI David, like Phil I used HPC in Leongatha. I had mine done in silver and they look fantastic , I have headers and twin underbody system with cats & 2 mufflers each side and it was $680. I think they might be dipped though as the guy I spoke to down there said they are coated throughout. Give yourself some movement on slip joints as it does add thickness to the surfaces (about 0.5mm I used) They were prompt too and packaged them that well it took me an afternoon to unpack them.
Leeroy

Jet-Hot did mine a couple times and they are rusting again, I had better luck with the plain old angel white spray paint from WalMart. The warranty sucks, but that's OK since I wouldn't have them redo them again if they paid me. After I get some new tires, they are going to get done right somewhere else. HPC seems to have a good warranty.

Thanks guys, this is all usefull info. Seems like the problems with JetHot aren't limited to this side of the pond.

I've had white VHT paint on for 7 yrs and its lasted better than I expected, does stain with road grime etc though.

If anyone has had experience with white HPC I wouldn't mind hearing your views, thanks

If you do a search within the web site under HPC or Jet Hot, I'm sure you'll come up with the pros and cons of each outfit.

Approx 6 months ago there were a couple of threads on which was best or not as the case may be.

Thaks Peter, I'll check their web sites, but theres nothing like hearing the story from the horses mouth. I'm sure JetHot will tell all that their stuff is $hit hot, but thats not what we're hearing.

I'll have a look for those threads 6months back, were they in the aussie pages?

[quote]Originally posted by David Hodgson

I'll have a look for those threads 6months back, were they in the aussie pages?



Sorry Pete, ignore above, I just got what you meant.

David,

Based upon previous threads on coatings you inadvertantly summed up Jet Hot (S%^t)!

Hi all

The Jethot coating was completed in Castlemaine Victoria. I'm not sure but I think they are affiliated with Castlemaine Auto Electrics.

This is the Soldatos Bros. who are long time drag racers, Street Rodders etc. I went trhere due to proximity to mt. Gambier and the fact that these guys are well known.

Yes I had real problems and ended up coating the pipes with VHT paint. I was so pis!ed.

After three calls to Jethoat I just gave up as the guy there had no technical knowledge on the product and appeared un interested in my problems.

My $.02 worth on my experience with them.

I'm seeing a lot of positive feedback on HPC so I'll get the next set done there.

Bernie

Bernie

Just a quick aside, is your cockpit hot and glarey with all that alloy?

Not hot but some glare being rectified now..
 

SLIPRY

David,

I have a cover that fits over the transmission tunnel. This has really reduced glare. Previously a lot of glare from this.

I'm in the process of rubbing the aluminium/aluminum back with WD40 and Scothbrite (McDonald's..:LOL:..) scouring pads.

The panel behind the seats has caused refelection on the screen and the mirror when the suns at the right angle so I'm rubbing this back.

The door inner panels and the dash were done when you saw it at the Wakefield Park Raceway this reduced glare.

I have not found it hot.

You get a really good tan in it for free...:LOL:..

Bernie

Bernie,

Imagine what one of those polished Kirkhams would be like:JEKYLHYDE

Have you been following the build up of 373 on their site. Man they do nice work.

Phil

Bernie make sure your wearing undies when in shorts otherwise you may get a free tan where you least expect it:LOL:

R rated. Parental guidance required
 

Leeroy

%/

I have just had a vision/thought on the sunburn..

Shed a skin like a snake...:eek:

Bernie