DIY ceramic coating
Step one:
Sandblast the parts. Recommended abrasive is 120 alum oxide. Thats pretty expensive so I use the cheap "Black Diamond". Works great.
The blaster can be as simple as a handheld Speedblaster or could be a cabinet. I have a handheld, big tank type for outside big stuff, and a cabinet blaster.
Step two: clean the parts. I usually blow them off then clean with acetone and dry.
Step three: hang them from something and fill your spray gun with Techline Turbo X coating. You do not need to reduce it down. Stir very well as the solids stick to the bottom. I use a small detail hvlp gun from Harbor Freight and the 8oz cans of coating. Spray a thin coat first, let dry for a few minutes and go back for a full coat. Follow up with another coat to make sure you got everything. The parts can be installed and run as is but I like to cure them in the oven to avoid the big smokey stinky mess running them on the car. The 8oz can for $50 is enough to do two manifolds, two turbines, a crossover, and downpipe (in my experience).
Step four: Heat up the oven to at least 550 and bake for one hour. The coating says it takes a little higher temps to fully cure but in my experience 550 gets it done and the higher temps on the car will do the rest later. They will be dry to the touch in an hr or less so they can be handled easily but you can put them directly in the oven while wet if you want.
Step five: Let them cool off and enjoy the money saved. In my experience you will recoup the cost of the tools with the first turbo setup.
You can get the coating directly from Techline or there are a few other suppliers if you google.

$10 on sale at HF. I buy a few and throw them away after about 5 jobs

I made this rack from 1" square tubing to hang stuff.

Free oven from CL.

I just installed a couple old kitchen range hoods over my welding table and it works good to suck out the fumes. Im planning on installing another over the oven. Make sure to wear a respirator while spraying and have some fresh air avaialble at all times and when the over is on.

Here is how the cured coating looks. They also have blue if thats your thing lol. Ive also used the regular cast grey coating for another project and they looked fantastic as well.
Last edited by LS1NOVA; Apr 9, 2013 at 02:37 PM.
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And yes its rated to very high temps (2000iirc). Don't use the 1300 degree shiny stuff, that won't hold. There's a reason its called turbox, its made for this purpose.




