Re-painting headers

[tealetm]

Well, since it was a decent day out today (around 50ºF) I decided it was about time to repaint my header and pipes (no not the cans).

I spent about 2 hours preping them, sanding them to get most of the previous finish off and especially to get the rust pitting clean.

After this, I cleaned the pipes with an automotive cleaner. I used Duplicolor High Heat ceramic paint for the project. I used about 3 thin coats.

Because I dissasembled all the pipes, I was able to cure the paint in my oven. The pipes are still curing... only another hour or so to go- hope they come out well!

[Catenaccio]

Good luck! Show some pics when done!

[tealetm]

[Catenaccio]

Awesome! Congrats on a job well done!

[Hotmailjerk]

how hot will the headers get? Curious to see how the paint looks overtime. I take it the 95 S3 has a backbone frame?

[Skydakine]

Really nice job. I'm curious how the pipes looked when they were stock. You said you removed the previous finish. When the bike was new were they chrome plated? I'm wondering if you can put the ceramic finish over chrome.

[tealetm]

Hotmailjerk: I'm not sure how hot the headers will actually get... hot enough for Duplicolor to recommend their high heat ceramic paints though. Hopefully the new paint will last a while- the only thing I'm concerned about it chipping from rocks. Yep- backbone frame which makes the bike known as "top heavy" by many riders (well that and the large fuel tank).

Skydakine: The orig. finish was pretty much "satin" black. Not flat, but not glossy either. I removed some of the finish to ensure I got rid of all the surface rust and give the paint a nice rough surface to tack to.