Ceramic Exhaust Component Coatings

[Patryn]

I think I've settled on sending my headers, turbine housings, and O2 housings off to Swain-Tech to get them coated in their white lighting ceramic. I'm not particularly fond of the color, but from what I've read searching around the internet, it appears that Swain-Tech is very good for ceramic coatings. Before I pull the trigger on it, I just wanted to see if any of you guys had any experience with Swain-Tech coatings, thoughts, and comments; as they relate to our cars.

[mb3000]

Pretty sure Stas has his parts coated by them, there are some good pictures of it on this site somewhere.

[Permanent grin]

Not Swain Tech but Zircotec. Very similar and they do a product called Performance White and also Performance Colour. I had the colour applied to hot sides, header kit and O2 housings.

Put it this way, after a full throttle 1/4 mile I can touch the front header without sticking to it or burning myself; obviously not holding my hand on there, but you get the picture.

André

[mb3000]

And VR4Guy http://www.3sgto.org/turbo-engines-systems/11966-gctech-td04-front-header-impressions.html

[anyonebutme]

And Adamvr4.

I always recommend swaintech over "cosmetic" coatings like jet-hot.

[CCPcoatings]

I think I've settled on sending my headers, turbine housings, and O2 housings off to Swain-Tech to get them coated in their white lighting ceramic. I'm not particularly fond of the color, but from what I've read searching around the internet, it appears that Swain-Tech is very good for ceramic coatings. Before I pull the trigger on it, I just wanted to see if any of you guys had any experience with Swain-Tech coatings, thoughts, and comments; as they relate to our cars.


Plasma spray coatings like swains generally work well as a thermal barrier though they function even better as abrasion coatings. As you noted, one of its downfalls is the obnoxious white, rough / porous finish. This can be problematic and or dangerous in applications where you're spilling oils / chemicals on the pipes as a result of repair / maintenance (race cars) or a complete lack of (ill maintained street car). Much like saturated wraps, these materials soak in and pose a significant fire risk. The other concern is ID coatings and corrosion. You can not coat the inside of pipes / components with plasma spray. Additionally, depending on the variety of plasma being used, many don't offer the best corrosion protection. So long as you're not in a salt area this may not be an issue.

I DON'T recommend any bright ceramic varieties, i.e. jet hot types for your application for the sole reason of it being a turbo application. Bright ceramics are NOT rated for hot side turbo / SC parts. Though to dismiss bright ceramic coatings as mere "cosmetic coatings" is naive and comical, highlighting a significant misunderstanding of thermal barriers. GE, Pratt & Whitney and Rolls Royce have been using bright ceramic coatings for close to 30 years on multi-MILLION dollar turbine engine components. Do you think they'd trust your lives on a silly "cosmetic", coating, LOL????? Guess again.

In your application you'd likely do fine with either a plasma spray coating or a "high temp ceramic" which is rated at 2000F+ as opposed to the 1100F - 1700F of bright. It doesn't sound like you're concerned with the "bling" so not getting the bright type would not be a problem. Most coaters offer multiple color options in high temps. If you really want to get crazy you can also coat over any plasma sprayed part with a high temp ceramic. This will get rid of the crappy white finish and offer additional corrosion resistance and cleaning capability.

[Patryn]

Correct, I'm not really concerned about the bling factor. I would prefer a black coating, however my only concern is decreasing engine bay temps, so my radiator fans don't melt again and keeping the heat where it belongs inside those pipes. As far as the inside of the pipes, I'm not sure they do that for turbo applications, something about the coating possibly chipping off and damaging the turbine wheel. I'm going to send in the front header, O2 housing, and turbine housing to start with. I will post up pictures once they are done.

[CoopKill]

I used Cerakote (http://www.cerakotehightemp.com/) on mine. There are thermal test results on their site. It is used by Ford on their Powerstroke diesel hot sides.

[CCPcoatings]

Correct, I'm not really concerned about the bling factor. I would prefer a black coating, however my only concern is decreasing engine bay temps, so my radiator fans don't melt again and keeping the heat where it belongs inside those pipes. As far as the inside of the pipes, I'm not sure they do that for turbo applications, something about the coating possibly chipping off and damaging the turbine wheel. I'm going to send in the front header, O2 housing, and turbine housing to start with. I will post up pictures once they are done.

Are you using a cast manifold or tubular headers?

[99ishVR-4]

I used Cerakote (http://www.cerakotehightemp.com/) on mine. There are thermal test results on their site. It is used by Ford on their Powerstroke diesel hot sides.

Im interested in your opinion of the cerakote once you get your car back on the road. It seems to be favored by the powder coating shops and I have everything necessary to apply it. Just want to make sure its worth it before I decide to try it because its not that cheap.

[CoopKill]

Will let you know.

[Patryn]

Just a quick update. I went with the SwainTech coating on front manifold, O2 housing, and turbine housing. So far in hot Florida city driving I have not been able to push the engine temps past half way on the stock temperature gauge. So it would appear that the front exhaust components heat soaking the radiator is now not a problem. A bit pricey, but seems to keep engine temps under control.

[CoopKill]

Good to hear.

[JasonY]

Too bad you dont have a real water temp gauge since you would have known the average before and after.

Jason