attempting to wrap exhaust

My wrap came in two weeks ago. Since then, i've struggled with little free time and shit weather so its taking a little while.

Anyway, I did some research and gathered everything needed. Rustoleum high heat primer and paint, tape, stainless steel clamps, exhaust wrap. ( side note. i wound up with two 50'x2" rolls, white & black, for the price of one! Lucky, misunderstanding!)

I know about moisture retention and the negative effects. Also, I'm aware that getting paint to stick, long term, to chrome is near impossible...

The headers were starting to rust, inside the top bend. To address the rust and chrome, I broke out the dremel w/ sanding bit. I carefully and thoroughly removed the rust and shiny chrome.

I was unsure of how well paint would hold up on the header where it seats in the collector and where the header meets the head. I taped off the male end of the headers and the flanges for the head.

Then I suspended the headers and shook up the can! Like I said, I used rustoleum high heat primer and paint. Its rated at 2000 degrees and supposed to fight rust so hopefully it works and seal everything up. On with the paint.... 3 light coats of primer and allowed to dry overnight. Today, 3 good coats of paint. Looking good....

I ran out of time, as usual, and was unable to cure it as outlined on the can. For on vehicle application:
-idle for 10 mins
-cool for 20 mins
-idle for 20 mins
-cool for 20 mins
-ride for 30 mins

Hopefully I'll have a decent hour tmw after work to cure this stuff. If that works out then I'll wrap them tmw too!

This process is dragging out and seriously cutting in to what is left of my decent riding weather.....

 

nice! looks like how mine are turning out

 

looks nice, why bother wrapping?

 

I agree with DW, Personal choice is I wouldn't wrap either.

 

I haven't gotten them wrapped yet... I did get them back on the bike and followed the curing procedure as the can outlined.

I do like the look of the paint but it will never hold up as well as the wrap. Plus I just like the wrapped look! I just wanted to do a little preventative maintenance before I wrap them.

Again, hoping to wrap them once and for all on Wednesday, next day off. I'm wrapping them with black but I do have an extra roll. White 50'x2" if anyone is interested. Let me know...

 

where did you get your wrap?

 

If you're interested... Lowbrow Customs has a really cool "How-To" on wrapping your exhaust with or without safety wire.

 

Alysiak00: I found the wrap on ebay. There was a little confusion in dealing with the seller. I bought a white roll for $19.50 total. In the posting he said he had more colors so I asked for black and paid an extra $5 he requested for it. Turns out his shipping guy was out for injury and he had already shipped the white then shipped the black too! I got two for one! Don't judge me....ha

I Finally, I was able to get them wrapped!

Doing the wrapping isn't to bad. I used a black 50'x2" roll. After all 4 headers were done, I'd say it used a little over half of the roll. Which is great for me cause i'd like to eventually wrap the collector and mufflers too.

I soaked the wrap to get it more pliable and maybe keep the fibers intact better, to not get all over me. You must wrap pipes with the exhaust port mount on the pipes. Starting from the bottom, male end for the collector, I put on a couple solid wraps and used a SS clap to hold in place. Then continued wrapping to the top. If you start at the bottom the overlaps face rearward, looks better.

Since the headers are smaller, I found that trying for a 3/8 to 1/4 overlap was best to keep it from bundling up. The 2" wrap is generally intended for larger pipes but I liked the look of fewer overlaps. Plus, I knew I could make it work! I imagine, the 1" wrap would be a little easier.

Once I got the bottom clamp on, it took 13 wraps to the top, cut wrap, clamp. Now, I did think ahead and strategically wrapped the pipes so the laps would fall the way the do, as far as over/under and leading/trailing. You'll see what I mean in the pics. I actually wrapped the 2 sides in opposite directions so when you look at either side alone they match.

When wrapping, I'd put a few layers on then go back and tighten the previous wraps in my grip, twisting around the pipe. This little trick is key. You can pull it tight while wrapping all you want. Getting it really tight will only happen in your "twisting grip".

The roll of wrap was black to start. After it is applied and worked it comes out an awesome gray that looks kinda old/vintage or something.

Once wrapped, time to put them back on. What an aggravation!!! I put the headers back in the collector and ran with that. Let me just say, I believe I may have startled a few neighbors! I was loud and vulgar after a while. Getting all 4 headers lined up at the same time is not by any means a one man job!

Anyway, got them on and smoked 'em! Then I put 50 more miles on them! They came out better then I could have imagined!

 

SS clamps . . . . . . $10
High Heat Paint. . . $14
50'x2" Wrap . . . . .$25
--------------------------
Bad ass pipes . . . . Priceless!

 

Good job. Wrap looks great.

Now if you ride in the rain you get a nice smoke and fog effect around the bike. Looks awesome!

 

i love it!