Heat proof tape on header pipes
 

Is that a good idea to stop them rusting up so fast? Or would that heat up the engine or anything weird like that?

Don`t think it prevents rust just hides it, most things rust from the inside outwards & there is a lot of talk on this subject (Google it) about heat dissipation (or lack of it in this case).

Mezo.

If you mean what the custom boys call 'wrapping', then I wouldn't bother. It might keep debris from hitting the pipes, but any moisture can't evaporate quickly and they might well make them rust quicker than naked pipes. The only way to get rust-free headers is to go stainless.

He's right ya know....

The tape holds in water and dirt like a sponge. The tape then sticks to mild steel pipes like a plaster on a hairy arm and the pipes rust beneath.

If you have mild steel pipes, you can try painting them in high temp (BBQ) paint but the paint doesn't last long.

The only permanent option is to upgrade to stainless.


Wrapping can be useful though. Especially for hiding the "Not for road use" stamp on my Triumph offroad can ;)

The exhaust header helps dissapate heat from the exhaust port/valve.

Some have suggested that it may cause the exhaust valve to burn out prematurely.

It's mainly used on custom bikes which probably don't do enough miles to cause a problem.

I once wrapped the headers on my XT. Then painted them with HT paint. Then wrapped them again.

There is an XT out there whose exhaust system is probably made of a sort of industrial strength papier mache by now :blushing:

Andy

Hmmmmmmmmmm.

*reconsiders attitude to exhaust wrapping*

Well that answers that one. haha. Cheers guys.

Just to be awkward lol :thumbup1: a friend of mine had ceramic coated headers/down pipes. Looked nice, cost a fortune but then he sold the bike so dint know how they went on over time?!?!

Anyway i'm with the stainless option :thumbup1:

Besides going Stainless on the Headers you can go Chrome or Ceramic Coating!

The Chrome , as long as it is done PROPERLY will last for years unless it gets chipped off by debris thrown by the front wheel.

I am unsure of how Ceramic coating goes as to abrasion resistance...
exhaust wrap? only if you need or want to hide something... but it'll need to be taken care of from time to time replacing with new wrapping specially if you ride in rainy/muddy weather

Well, I must be that 1%'er out there..... 'cause I (properly) wrapped my header & love the perfomance result.....:cool4:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...eatWrap002.jpg

(2) coats of VHT Hi-Temp applied to a warm pipe.....
then Tightly wrapped with fiberglass tape- 1st the header, then the collector.
Finish off with @ least (2) coats of Black Silicone sealant over entire pipe.

I can truly feel the difference :mchappy:.....no more "warm leg" syndrome & all the spent exhaust & heat goes out the back where it's supposed to.....
Poor Man's Cerami-Coating :wink3:

That looks good, i like it. Might just try it on my old pipe just to see for myself.

Re: high temp BBQ paint
I ride year round and the mag chloride is eating the heck out my header.
Sand and paint with the above or remove and take to muffler shop, clean and have them paint? Thanks