Just got a new set of polished stainless steel headers, and a friend of mine mentioned something you could spray inside them that helps control the "bluing effect. Anyone know what it is called? Thanks
Retarded timing on a new engine will cook them too. If they are similar to chrome, you want to clean them real good before and after putting them on, no fingerprints, oil ect... before you start it and get them hot. Lippy
Doctor Satan, I don't know if it ever did any good, but we would clean a new set of Harley pipes then coat the outside with baby powder and run them. Let it cool and wipe them down. Seemed to help. But as was mentioned about the mixture, if it was not right they would eventually blue at the head. Lippy
I used a coating I got from Eastwood/ Its a thermal coating and goes on/inside easy -gotta be super clean though - comes in white black /silver/chrome/etc. Check it out wasn't to expensive as I remember.Gave my g***er headers the perfect look - check out my build.
Ceramic is the only type of coating that'll hold up well in his environment. It will prevent the pipes from bluing. Ceramic coating requires a toothy surface so it will adhere. I would we get a spot blaster ,blasting inside where it attaches to the head, not the flange,. Take a wire tie a small of piece of sponge soak it with the ceramic coating and pull it through the pipe. Put two coats on.The surface must be completely oil free.
Stainless pipes don't "blue", they turn a nice golden color, very nice. It shows that the rod actually gets used, like it's supposed to, that it isn't a trailer queen.
I've heard/read spray paint each tube obviously in the flow of exhaust, an I've heard spray grease lithium type... On both, The theory was either will burn faster than the heat can get to a point to discolor.. creating a carbon barrier... I don't do chrome header's so I can't say... Ha... I take that back, over 25 years ago when building a blown 55 Chevy truck I bought chrome new cheaper than not, I spray painted them.... It works!
Nothing will protect stainless or chrome if the timing is retarded and/or the mixture is very lean, with the possible exception of a professionally applied ceramic coating. But ***uming the timing and mixture are ok, I would try as someone suggested, clean with carb or brake cleaner, then flap wheel, ball hone or sandblast the inside 6" or so into each tube and spray or brush on the paint or coating of your choice. It couldn't hurt. I recently had the new lakes headers for my roadster chromed and I will be trying that. I've been looking at the "manifold dressing" that some places advertise. I "blued" the last set big time during camshaft break-in, the timing was retarded and there was no air flow over the headers. For what it costs to chrome a set of headers, I'll be more careful this time.
45 years I have used VHT White only header paint in each tube. Multiple coats. Like a can in each tube with great results.
Same here, VHT sprayed in each tube until it runs out the other end. A tip we picked up from Farrow's H-D, in Cols., O., back when it was abbreviated that way.
Also, the reason for discolouring, is the heat escaping through the wall of the pipe faster than the flow through the pipe. As a long time HD rider, over time I found nothing can stop it from happening, a quick blast under full throttle will prove my point.
I have no direct knowledge gained from experience with this, so feel free to disregard my opinion. Discoloration is caused by heat. If you insulate the header with any internal coating for the first 8", the exhaust will not cool in this zone; the discoloratjon will just move further down the pipe. Therefore the headers need to be completely coated internally. I doubt that any DIY process would be reliable long-term; probably need a ceramic coating professionally applied. Don't know if it matters whether the chroming or the coating should be done first. .
It's not a huge problem if they discolored, just figure I will make an attempt to prevent it, since I have an opportunity before installation...
I used to work in a chrome plating shop years ago and I heard my boss tell many customers who where installing there newly chromed headers and exhaust manifolds not to get them covered in greasy finger prints before firing the car up. His suggestion was not to touch them that much or wipe them clean before install and use clean cotton gloves when handling them on install. Maybe you care maybe you don’t but I have seen chrome headers fired up the first time covered in greasy fingerprints and they do stain Also has been stated a engine out of tune will discolour stainless or chrome exhaust beyond that nice golden yellow colour
White cotton gloves are cheap, you can get a short stack for a few dollars. Not a bad idea to wear them when installing the headers.
Good advice with the cotton gloves. The tune on my car is pretty spot on. The problem will be with the numb-nuts that will touch the exhaust when I am not there...
I've heard something like that, except the idea was to use crankcase oil to coat the inside. I can't endorse the tip, though, 'cause I never had chrome pipes, only painted poorboys.
I found this while looking for something else today. I know nothing about it so I can't claim if it is any good or not.
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