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I am looking for inputs on a heat shield coating for the headers that I am buying for my build.
- This is a daily driver, and damage/discoloration to the coating matters, so Swain Tech isn't going to happen.
- Is there a real world difference between 1000, 2000, and 2500 degree coatings?
Yes there is definitely a difference among the various temp ratings.
In general, the higher temp ones aren't as visually appealing; I guess a certain amount of that gets traded off for the other property. At some level, you gotta choose what fits your application the best.
For yerbasic N/A car headers, the 1000° is adequate. Headers rarely get above about 800°, and usually not that hot. For a turbo or the like, maybe you'd want more though.
I've usually used Jet-Hot; not the "highest tech" option out there maybe, but seems entirely adequate for the task at hand. Their "silver" coating (it's not their "high temp" product but I can't recall the rating) lasts a VERY long time on stainless steel. I highly recommend stainless over regular steel, for 2 reasons: the corrosion resistance (duh); and, the heat conductivity of stainless is only about 40% of regular carbon steel, which by itself reduces underhood temps. Ceramic coated stainless headers radiate relatively little more heat into the engine room than manifolds do. Most stainless alloys that are suitable for exhaust, will corrode to a certain degree; they're not utterly "stainless" exactly, but at least they don't rust into a pile of flakes either.
I got Jet-Hot's higher-temp coating one time on some mild steel headers, many years ago. I was a bit disappointed in it. It was very rough, almost like sandpaper; and the metal still eventually managed to corrode underneath it and blow it off, over time. That may have been an attribute of the base metal and not the coating though. But, it stained kind of alot, like if oil dripped on it or something, where the "silver" is easier to keep clean.
I have been looking into Swaintech coating for a new set of headers for my car. I know you said they are out because of the coloring but I have read many places (I think even on their own website) that after they are coated you can spray paint them with high temp black paint if you don't like the white without any sacrifice to the coating performance.
I also think I want to do some heatshield products heat shields on the firewall and under the car on top of the coating to help direct heat down and away from the interior.
They must be owned by Hushmat. One of their contact e-mail addresses is at hushmat.com
I sent them a message to see if I can get a lower price if I have the new headers shipped directly to them.
edit: Yep, they are Hushmat. "ZyCoat products – made in the United States – are natural extensions of the industry-proven, auto enthusiast-preferred products from HushMat" https://pitstopusa.com/b-96296-zycoat.html
Last edited by FCar2000TA; Jul 22, 2021 at 10:18 AM.
They must be owned by Hushmat. One of their contact e-mail addresses is at hushmat.com
I sent them a message to see if I can get a lower price if I have the new headers shipped directly to them.
edit: Yep, they are Hushmat. "ZyCoat products – made in the United States – are natural extensions of the industry-proven, auto enthusiast-preferred products from HushMat" https://pitstopusa.com/b-96296-zycoat.html
I wonder how the zycoat holds up? I'm about to completely re do my exhaust with new headers and have considered Swaintech but this sounds much more convenient.
I wonder how the zycoat holds up? I'm about to completely re do my exhaust with new headers and have considered Swaintech but this sounds much more convenient.
Ive seen this used a good bit in the Pro-Touring world, and it seems to be working great and lasting also. A lot of those guys beat the crap out of their cars in Autocross and time trial events, so it’s getting abused pretty good without issue.
I've had really good luck on sprint car headers with the "silver" ceramics, had it done by several places and never noticed much difference. of all the colors it seems to work among the best. Nothing like having to wrench on a motor that spent the last half hour at 9500 rpm's the coating made a remarkable difference over bare metal.
Last edited by pdxmotorhead; Aug 21, 2021 at 03:19 AM.
Reason: bad speller
I also ordered some zycoat a few days ago. It was 20% off then not sure if that still applies. I opted for the aerosol as I'm not setup for a paint gun. Hopefully I can update soon with pics.
I also ordered some zycoat a few days ago. It was 20% off then not sure if that still applies. I opted for the aerosol as I'm not setup for a paint gun. Hopefully I can update soon with pics.
I am going to have them do the coating. Having the headers shipped directly to them.
If you don't mind me asking what kind of price did they give you?
The quote was over the phone since I am having the headers shipped directly to them. I don't remember exactly. I am pretty sure it was under $550 total.
Got my headers for the hot rod and the driver's side exhaust manifold and a downpipe for the Duramax blasted and primed with the Zycoat. 8 hour air cure and first thing in the morning I'll hit them with color then bake for cure. I like the way the primer laid down, fingers crossed.
Headers and truck pieces are finished. The silver looks good but the black is super slick. Wish I would've done the headers in black as well. I just hope it holds up. Time will tell.
This is what the Jet Hot "silver", on stainless, looks like after acoupla years. Maybe 2 - 3 years and 30 - 40k miles. (yeah, long commute) It's an old photo but should give an idea.
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Looking for inputs on coatings for headers 
