Blacking out exhaust components

  • fatbat
    fatbat
    4 years ago
    Hi all
    I know header pipes can be ceramic coated but how does one black out heat shields and mufflers? I imagine the heat shields can either be ceramic coated or powder coated. 

    I have a good pair of s&s tapered turbo mufflers which are chrome. How is it best to black them out professionally to look good and last?
  • Ken in Cairns
    Ken in Cairns
    4 years ago
    Not sure if powder coat will be long lived before it starts to change colour Fatbat, ceramic coating the lot my be the safest bet, and the colour on all the parts will be perfectly matched.
  • fatbat
    fatbat
    4 years ago
    Quoting Ken in Cairns on 21 Mar 2020 12:48 AM

    Not sure if powder coat will be long lived before it starts to change colour Fatbat, ceramic coating the lot my be the safest bet, and the colour on all the parts will be perfectly matched.

    Thanks Ken I just wasn’t sure how ceramic coating was done and if doing mufflers was doable
  • beaglebasher
    beaglebasher
    4 years ago
    I have used the high temperature spray pack from supercheap on my heat shields and slip ons.It was only to tidy up some damage from bubble gum and the saddle bags but 3 or 4 years later it still looks smick.
  • Grease Monkey
    Grease Monkey
    4 years ago


    Had this stuff applied to my exhaust FB, shields and muffler, no heat damage evident thus far.
  • fatbat
    fatbat
    4 years ago
    Thanks BB and Hilly. What kind of prepping and roughing up is involved in shiny parts like chrome heat shields and chrome mufflers before these types of paint are applied?
  • Grease Monkey
    Grease Monkey
    4 years ago
    Suppose you could hit them with a sander but I imagine blasting them would make for better adhesion.
  • Glenn W
    Glenn W
    4 years ago
    Painted heat shields years ago using supercheap VHT exhaust paint. Gave the chrome a scrub up with 400 grit wet rub until it was all dull. Painted my FLHS muffler the same way. Now and then the muffler gets scratched so I give it a quick spray and it is as good as new. 

  • Ratbob
    Ratbob
    4 years ago
    Looking good Glenn.
  • me_ashman
    me_ashman
    4 years ago
    Quoting Glenn W on 23 Mar 2020 12:49 AMedited: 23 Mar 2020 12:52 AM

    Painted heat shields years ago using supercheap VHT exhaust paint. Gave the chrome a scrub up with 400 grit wet rub until it was all dull. Painted my FLHS muffler the same way. Now and then the muffler gets scratched so I give it a quick spray and it is as good as new. 

    I use that also, only con I found is when it's hot it scuffs very easily.
  • Far Canal
    Far Canal
    4 years ago
    The mob that makes the POR fuel tank liner/sealer also make a good quality heatproof paint that I found to be better than the VHT stuff. Only problem with it is that it does not come in a spray can, you need to put it on with a gun and compressor. That was a few years ago though, maybe they do make it in spray cans now.