Painting Exhaust - Silencer Can
 

Hi

I recently bought pre-owned Remus Exhaust for my SV650s K6; its in black (though more like graphite grey) matte finish, and there are some scuff marks; I did extensive research on internet / YouTube to learn if Exhaust / silencer can be painted, every where I found people repacking (removing rivet pushing back the new filling around), shorting by cutting in half, making there own but "not" a single thing I found if anyone "Painting the exhaust using VHT paints"; there are many mention of painting the down pipe link pipe etc using high temperature resistant paint, but not the actual exhaust.

So I am wondering is it ok for me to paint Exhaust / Silencer can, using hight temperature resistant paint? can there be any technical issue by doing that? :confused:

I will really appreciate some experienced advice.

Many Thanks.

Re: Painting Exhaust - Silencer Can
 

Here's a non technical nor experienced comment.
You are unhappy with how it currently looks, so sod it. Give it a go, what's the worst that can happen. It cracks, bubbles, peels off or burns.
You are then in the same situation you are in now. With a zorst you don't like. But at least you'll know and can tell us. I imagine it will be fine.

Re: Painting Exhaust - Silencer Can
 

True... 👍

Re: Painting Exhaust - Silencer Can
 

Shiftin Gear is on the money.I've used VHT paints on cans and even rubbish downpipes.Even if and when it flakes it's no biggy for a quick touch-up respray.

Bodger's tip:

When Spray painting any bit of a Motorcycle,"In-Situ" when you have an empty cornflake type cardboard box cut the big sides off before you throw it away.

You can use these as a quick Mask e.g say you have to spray touch-up the can later on down the line.Just give it a quick scuff with one of those cheap green flat pan scrubs.Wipe off with a bit of Carb/Brake cleaner and holding the piece of card behind the job with one hand then spray-Touch-up.You can quickly wipe any small amounts of over-spray off with a cloth with some Carb/brake cleaner.

Also old knackered plastic carrier bags can be used behind parts as well.I also use an old Plastic carrier bag as a Mask under my Front Master cylinder when changing brake fluid to protect the bike/plastic etc.

Re: Painting Exhaust - Silencer Can
 

We'll talk about your searching abilities later :)


Painting a muffler with VHT paint:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8G3IIQzWN8


Painting an expansion chamber (which is header and silencer) using a paint brush and Rustoleum:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CN5CZ827j1c


and Delboy's garage longer video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIEzjirqHuc


(he takes it seriously and uses a paint mask)

Re: Painting Exhaust - Silencer Can
 

In a word:
Barbecue Paint
2 words really, but who's counting? ;)

Re: Painting Exhaust - Silencer Can
 

Silencers don't get anywhere near as hot as the headers. I guess the challenge would actually be getting a flat finish to the chrome exhaust.

I guess with any paint its all in the prep work!

Re: Painting Exhaust - Silencer Can
 

? It's already black ?

Re: Painting Exhaust - Silencer Can
 

Hi,

Many thanks for your message; your suggestions are quite helpful, will surely keep that remembered.

Thanks you.

Re: Painting Exhaust - Silencer Can
 

Hi, mine is not chrome / Titanium it’s Remus GP and painted / coated matte black (rather graphite) so I will be painting that over. 😊

Re: Painting Exhaust - Silencer Can
 

Hi, I have picked up Halfords High Temperature Metallic Black for under £8.00; it claims to sustain temperature upto 500C.

Re: Painting Exhaust - Silencer Can
 

I feel more like graphite it is.

Re: Painting Exhaust - Silencer Can
 

Hi, really found 1st and 3rd video very informative, many thanks for bringing to my notice, it is very helpful. Thanks again.

Re: Painting Exhaust - Silencer Can
 

If I can do this with a,"Rattle Can" you can do a good job on an exhaust ;-)

Re: Painting Exhaust - Silencer Can
 

That is a really good finish with rattle cans - well done.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Re: Painting Exhaust - Silencer Can
 

I've used Halford's VHT.It's decent paint :)

Re: Painting Exhaust - Silencer Can
 

Oh my God! That’s truly a excellent job! Thanks for inspiring me and giving me the encouragement! Thank you!

Re: Painting Exhaust - Silencer Can
 

Have used Simoniz very high temperature paint on all the pipes and CAT under my AL7 because I thought it looked better with the pipes blended into frame colour rather than shiny and standing out. Also painted the silver heat shield on the black silencer because that offended my eyes ( although heat shield does not get hot ). The paint has stood up well, it is a satin finish at her than gloss, and is guaranteed up to 800C and is specified for manifolds and exhausts..

Re: Painting Exhaust - Silencer Can
 

I was attracted to buy Halfords paint as it said ‘Metallic Black’ not black or jet black and as I intended to use on actual exhaust instead on pipes.

However my other problem is curing it; as I mentioned in opening messages I have bought the exhaust over eBay and it’s not fitted, so wanted to paint before fitting, but then how will I cure? So thinking to use heat gun and blow the hot air through, or chop the original exhaust, loose fit this one, remove, paint and do the final fitting.

Re: Painting Exhaust - Silencer Can
 

You shouldn't need to,"Cure" it but all paints benefit from temperatures above 15 Deg C.

What I do when doing off bike bits is this.Fully prep and clean the part.Attach some wire or similar system so you don't have to pick the part up with your hands or if you can't do that a pair of Marigold type Kitchen gloves to prevent fingermarks on the job.


If possible have a warm room ready where you can hang/leave the painted job.


Warm the part up with a Hairdryer and whilst doing that leave the Rattle can in a large pan of warm to hot water and keep agitating the Can to the heat gets to all the paint in the can.

Then just prior to spraying use a Tac-Rag

https://www.toolstation.com/prodec-t...SABEgLZyvD_BwE


Don't try and cover in one coat.Use a light Dust/Grip coat all over the job and leave for 5 mins.Then a better heavier coat but again not too heavy and leave for 5 mins and then a final coat.

If you can't bring the part into the house but have a garage or somewhere you can hang it up and use the Hairdryer again but only in short bursts from a distance.The solvents in the paint need to,"Flash-off".The longer you can leave the part in the warm to naturally cure the better.

Re: Painting Exhaust - Silencer Can
 

Thanks R1ffR4ff.. what I learnt from video and YouTube was High heat resistant paint need to be baked to cure, but if it’s not necessary as you said then part of my problem is solved.

Like you suggested will do few light coats and thick final coat. Unfortunately I do not have garage space to work So will work indoor with makeshift setup; and temperature indoors is around 23c

Re: Painting Exhaust - Silencer Can
 

The standard VHT rattle can paints aren't like some of the,"Pro" twin/triple pack paints I use and have used in my job.They will cure naturally at the right temps.23 Deg C will be fine and the odd warm up with a Hairdryer will speed it up :)

You can make a,"Poly Tunnel" with some cheap poly,

https://www.toolstation.com/polythene-dust-sheet/p82400

One time I used an old Clothes horse Jerry-rigged into an enclosure but I did it outside on a warm enough day but got the part out fast once sprayed so no dust or debris could get on the job.

Re: Painting Exhaust - Silencer Can
 

Well doctors can cure loads of stuff at room temp :)

No need to cure rattle can paint, but I think they specify on most paint to apply at above about 10 degC for a fairly quick dry and a decent finish, but 20deg is better for the solvent to boil out...

Re: Painting Exhaust - Silencer Can
 

Spray painted today.. doing indoor was biggest blunder, as very fine layer of paint mist spread for meters, I had dust sheet and everything covered within 5 - 6’ but mist of spray dragged over to 12 - 15’!! Must due to window and doors open for ventilation.
2nd problem, after few hours, when touching fingers get smudge with chalky/powdery paint residue; it’s my thinking this paint do require baking to infuse paint crystals, I did try heat gun after couple of hour of drying but it dint change anything. So tomorrow when nobody at home it’s going inside oven, I tried it fits, so going to do 200c for 45mins as one of the reviews read for this particular Halfords paint.
Shade wise I love how it looks.

Re: Painting Exhaust - Silencer Can
 

I'd be very wary of doing this.The solvents in the paint could cause a fire or explosion in a confined space.Please be careful.

Re: Painting Exhaust - Silencer Can
 

Yes of course.. will be closely monitoring it, by tomorrow most solvent must have evaporated or dried out, I am just concerned about the fumes if any comes off, but can always stop before it goes out of control.