Wrapping Titanium
 

I got a full Akrapovic Ti exhaust for my stinger (1200) and was wondering if anybody with a similar Ti setup has wrapped the headers? On top of the benefits that the header provides, a tad more exit velocity of gases can´t be all that bad and considering the high resistance of Ti to corrode not much harm can be done.

Tables state that corrosion with water starts at 600°F (316°C) but by then there should be no traces of H20 on any of the exhaust pipes. http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1390656721.jpg

water in the exhaust from combustion, powder coat is commonly done to headers here.

I just don't know if I'd want to wrap up an exhaust that pretty, Rique. My vote, don't do it. Let the titanium shine through. :)

Good score Rique..........my take is........Let the blue show thru........you'll know what I mean once you let the Ti go through a few heat cycles!

Cheers

ditto, let that beautiful ti show!

I'd polish those like crazy before putting on, getting all the stains and fingerprints off. Then let them burnish back in. Titanium polishes up beautifully. Just use something like Barkeeper's Friend stainless polish.

My old ZTechnik exhaust was dirty and dingy, much like yours until I put four hours into it.

http://ckcarr.smugmug.com/photos/i-d...dr5XBW7-XL.jpg

http://ckcarr.smugmug.com/photos/i-K...KBbcr7J-XL.jpg

http://ckcarr.smugmug.com/photos/i-T...T5KLLRG-XL.jpg

My RC51 has Ti headers and exhaust. I wrapped them and then paint them with a high temp enamel. Honestly, I can't say the bike runs any stronger but it does run a bit cooler and when you shut it off, it's as quite as an ant pissing on cotton! No more of that metal wrapping sound when cooling off. Said that, I would not wrap the headers on a boxer; leave them to be seen and heard!

A titanium exhaust setup is something to flaunt about no doubt. I will give them a polish and brag about them. I got the whole set for 1500 Delivered. Did I do good? or is this an average price?

Polyester or epoxy powder coating cures at around 380-400 F, it would not survive the heat of header pipes.

Ceramic coating from Jet Hot or Sterling would be more applicable for exhausts. I have an Akra titanium can with stainless steel HPE headers. The headers can be ceramic coated in a variety of colors and I selected one that can out fairly close to the color of the Ti muffler.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1390701316.jpg


Ceramic coatings are pretty durable these days and provide similar if not better insulating effect to wrapping with fiberglass tape. The best part about the ceramic coating is that you add no weight and do not have the water trapping/corrosive concerns.

Also, I have taped headers before and after a while they can start to look dirty and there is no way to clean the fiberglass tape. Ceramic coating can be washed with mild soap and water and does not discolor or show signs of wear.

What a ride you got there kpolito90. Very classy.

I have a powder coating rig at home that I use mostly for my vintage car restorations. I some times use ultra high temp powder coat paint BUT it can´t even come close to the temps put out buy the headers. Ceramic coatings is the only way to go.

Thanks RIQUE!

I can provide a contact if you want to ask the place I used where they purchased their ceramic coating materials. There are several types specific for headers and turbo applications. Some are more durable than others.

I agree with everyone else regarding going natural Ti. Try them for a while and if you don't like the look if they begin to blue you can always have them coated at a later time.