Header Coating

PingTrip · 05-28-2022, 08:23 AM

I'm looking for recommendations for a flat black header coating that is resistant to heat discoloration. I have 1-7/8" ARH longtubes that I had coated with Aluminum Ceramic inside and out. After only a couple drives since having the car dyno tuned some of the primary tubes have discolored bluish-green spots with small white barnacle looking clusters. The coating shop said the clusters are from the aluminum melting out of the coating, which occurs at temperatures exceeding 1400F. Have others experienced the same with ceramic coatings?

-Dave

d15b7 · 05-28-2022, 08:38 AM

I can’t help you with finding a better coating, but if you truly are hitting 1400+ deg F with your exhaust gas temps for long enough periods to melt the coatings out, then I’d start to be a little concerned. When we tune my road race car, we put a probe in each exhaust outlet about 2-3” from the head. We aim for about 1150ish plus or minus a little bit for extended WOT. (this is on a NA motor not FI). I know for FI the EGTs are allowed to get a little higher, but I’d be worried that 1400 is beginning to eat into the extended longevity of your engine. High EGTs can be caused by a too lean condition at high load, or excessive ignition retard (attempting to control detonation).

Just wanted to mention this so that you can look into it and head off a possible engine failure before it comes to happen!

PingTrip · 05-28-2022, 11:03 AM

Thanks for the info! The car is currently a garage queen so has literally only been driven two times around town, and minimal WOT onto the highway, which is why I'm concerned with a coating failure already.

Quote:

Originally Posted by d15b7

I can’t help you with finding a better coating, but if you truly are hitting 1400+ deg F with your exhaust gas temps for long enough periods to melt the coatings out, then I’d start to be a little concerned. When we tune my road race car, we put a probe in each exhaust outlet about 2-3” from the head. We aim for about 1150ish plus or minus a little bit for extended WOT. (this is on a NA motor not FI). I know for FI the EGTs are allowed to get a little higher, but I’d be worried that 1400 is beginning to eat into the extended longevity of your engine. High EGTs can be caused by a too lean condition at high load, or excessive ignition retard (attempting to control detonation).

Just wanted to mention this so that you can look into it and head off a possible engine failure before it comes to happen!

Trochoidal · 05-28-2022, 11:17 AM

My headers were coated with Cerakote brand ceramic. One thing I’d mention that is important is using the proper coating for the application. If the business that did your coating used the wrong type of ceramic, I’d expect it to underperform.

Take some time and watch this video from Hagerty. It’s informative and I suggest paying specific attention to the “series” of product they mention.

Personally I’d get in touch with your shop and ask what series of product they used for your application. They may have selected the wrong coating.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oa3wddbKTUw

JonDaddy82 · 05-28-2022, 11:24 AM

Black header coating is unlikely to stay black long term FYI. You could get the coating from NASA, it won't matter...just trying to manage expectations.

Z OH 6 · 05-28-2022, 12:01 PM

Jet-Hot Ultra Extreme 2500 coating. I've had this coating on my headers for almost 2 years now and they still look exactly the same as the day they were installed and they dramatically reduce underhood temps.

Trochoidal · 05-28-2022, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z OH 6

Jet-Hot Ultra Extreme 2500 coating. I've had this coating on my headers for almost 2 years now and they still look exactly the same as the day they were installed and they dramatically reduce underhood temps.

I agree with Z OH 6. The coating on my headers is about a year old and they look the same as the day I put them on.

XXX ZL1 · 06-02-2022, 08:17 AM

Another vote for JetHot 2500 coating. Satin black and still looks great 3 years later.

USAFS197 · 06-02-2022, 08:44 AM

I went with cerakote on my C7 Z06. Ultimately, I think any coating is better than bare headers. But JetHot has been around forever doing this and I'm confident that you'll be happy with their product.

KamZL1 · 06-02-2022, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by USAFS197

I went with cerakote on my C7 Z06. Ultimately, I think any coating is better than bare headers. But JetHot has been around forever doing this and I'm confident that you'll be happy with their product.

always wondered, how do you think cerkote compares to the jethot 2500

LiqTenExp · 06-02-2022, 10:20 AM

Swaintech is would I would recommend. I got mine headers coated 4-5 years ago and not much has changed on them. It hasn't fallen off, worn off, discolored. There was a drastic temp reduction in the engine bay.

They are in NY so not too far away for you: https://swaintech.com/race-coatings/...aust-coatings/

I haven't come across anything that holds up this well or works so well.

Katech_Zach · 06-02-2022, 10:25 AM

2nd for Jet Hot 2500deg coating, it seems to be the only thing other than the swaintech white lightning that will hold up to continuous heat cycles

https://www.jet-hot.com/thermal-barrier

https://swaintech.com/

KingLT1 · 06-02-2022, 10:31 AM

I would be curious to see a data log. If the car is idling and tip/in part throttle is negative timing values that will make the headers get extremely hot to the point it's ruins the header coating.

juice3 · 06-02-2022, 01:32 PM

Skip coating, go headershield

05-28-2022, 08:23 AM	#1
PingTrip Drives: 2018 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: CT Posts: 9	Header Coating I'm looking for recommendations for a flat black header coating that is resistant to heat discoloration. I have 1-7/8" ARH longtubes that I had coated with Aluminum Ceramic inside and out. After only a couple drives since having the car dyno tuned some of the primary tubes have discolored bluish-green spots with small white barnacle looking clusters. The coating shop said the clusters are from the aluminum melting out of the coating, which occurs at temperatures exceeding 1400F. Have others experienced the same with ceramic coatings? -Dave

05-28-2022, 11:17 AM	#4
Trochoidal Drives: 2017 Camaro 2SS A8 Join Date: May 2019 Location: USA Posts: 1,656	My headers were coated with Cerakote brand ceramic. One thing I’d mention that is important is using the proper coating for the application. If the business that did your coating used the wrong type of ceramic, I’d expect it to underperform. Take some time and watch this video from Hagerty. It’s informative and I suggest paying specific attention to the “series” of product they mention. Personally I’d get in touch with your shop and ask what series of product they used for your application. They may have selected the wrong coating. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oa3wddbKTUw __________________ Roto-Fab w/sound tube delete, Katech ported TB, Pray IM, Velossa, DD side markers, DSX FF, UPR Catch can, Halo brace, My custom vent gauge pod Originally Posted by arpad_m - “Aww, yet another oil thread with almost the same question in the OP“

05-28-2022, 11:24 AM	#5
JonDaddy82 Drives: 2018 ZL1 Coupe NFG M6 Join Date: May 2017 Location: Nolensville, TN Posts: 618	Black header coating is unlikely to stay black long term FYI. You could get the coating from NASA, it won't matter...just trying to manage expectations. __________________ 1989 Forumla 350 WS6 <- High School 2000 Trans Am Firehawk <- After High School 2017 Colorado Z71 <- Daily 2018 ZL1 M6 <- Not Daily

06-02-2022, 08:17 AM	#8
XXX ZL1 Drives: 2023 ZL1 M6 Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Pace FL Posts: 416	Another vote for JetHot 2500 coating. Satin black and still looks great 3 years later. __________________ 2024 Riverside Blue ZL1 M6 Magnuson 2650R, NW 103, Roto Fab Big Gulp, ARH 2 inch LT's, Stainless Works NPP Signature Forged 20x10.5/20x11.5, BMR springs, BMR Cradle lockout, AAD Billet Control/Trailing arms 2023 Vivid Orange ZL1 M6 - sold 2019 Riverside Blue ZL1 A10 - sold

06-02-2022, 08:44 AM	#9
USAFS197 Drives: 2018 Audi TT RS Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Navarre, Florida Posts: 1,915	I went with cerakote on my C7 Z06. Ultimately, I think any coating is better than bare headers. But JetHot has been around forever doing this and I'm confident that you'll be happy with their product. __________________ 2018 Audi TT ▊RS 2.4X 0-60, 1.6X 60', 120+mph 1/8th, 4.XX 60-130, 150+mph traps on 255/35/18 R888R tires on the street (unprepped). 2019 Audi RS3 About as fast as the TT RS 2019 Camaro ZL1 1LE Sold 2018 Camaro SS 1LE Sold 2019 Corvette Z06 Sold 2021 Charger Hellcat Redeye Widebody Sold

05-28-2022, 08:38 AM	#2
d15b7 Drives: 2020 Camaro ZL1 1 LE Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: MD Posts: 93	I can’t help you with finding a better coating, but if you truly are hitting 1400+ deg F with your exhaust gas temps for long enough periods to melt the coatings out, then I’d start to be a little concerned. When we tune my road race car, we put a probe in each exhaust outlet about 2-3” from the head. We aim for about 1150ish plus or minus a little bit for extended WOT. (this is on a NA motor not FI). I know for FI the EGTs are allowed to get a little higher, but I’d be worried that 1400 is beginning to eat into the extended longevity of your engine. High EGTs can be caused by a too lean condition at high load, or excessive ignition retard (attempting to control detonation). Just wanted to mention this so that you can look into it and head off a possible engine failure before it comes to happen!

05-28-2022, 12:01 PM	#6
Z OH 6 Drives: 2021 Red Hot ZL1 Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Gapplebees Posts: 3,078	Jet-Hot Ultra Extreme 2500 coating. I've had this coating on my headers for almost 2 years now and they still look exactly the same as the day they were installed and they dramatically reduce underhood temps.

06-02-2022, 10:20 AM	#11
LiqTenExp Drives: 2017 ZL1 Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: NJ Posts: 905	Swaintech is would I would recommend. I got mine headers coated 4-5 years ago and not much has changed on them. It hasn't fallen off, worn off, discolored. There was a drastic temp reduction in the engine bay. They are in NY so not too far away for you: https://swaintech.com/race-coatings/...aust-coatings/ I haven't come across anything that holds up this well or works so well. __________________ 2017 Camaro ZL1 Coupe M6 (847whp Dynojet on 93)

06-02-2022, 10:25 AM	#12
Katech_Zach Drives: 14 Camaro SS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Clinton Twp, MI Posts: 483	2nd for Jet Hot 2500deg coating, it seems to be the only thing other than the swaintech white lightning that will hold up to continuous heat cycles https://www.jet-hot.com/thermal-barrier https://swaintech.com/

06-02-2022, 10:31 AM	#13
KingLT1 Drives: 2016 1SS NFG A8 Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: 46804 Posts: 6,793	I would be curious to see a data log. If the car is idling and tip/in part throttle is negative timing values that will make the headers get extremely hot to the point it's ruins the header coating. __________________ 2016 NFG 1SS A8 Options-2SS Leather/NPP Perf. mods-Whipple 2.9/Fuel System/Flex Fuel/103mm TB/Rotofab Big Gulp/Cat Deletes/Corsa NPP Per. times- 10.5 @ 137 w/ 1.8 60ft Full weight on 20's 1200DA

06-02-2022, 01:32 PM	#14
juice3 Drives: 19 ZLE A10,17 SS 1LE, 16 C7R,CT5V Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Berryville, VA Posts: 175	Skip coating, go headershield

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