Are you tired of looking at engine parts that are covered in rust and make the engine look older or more ragged than it should? Have you ever considered trying a high-temperature thermal barrier ceramic coating on your engine exhaust parts like your exhaust manifold, headers or pipes? Are you looking to squeeze out as much power from your engine as you can?
One of the people I met at last week’s HDAW convention saw the exhaust manifolds we had on display and had asked me if we offered them with a ceramic coating. It wasn’t something we have offered on any regular basis but did raise some curiosity.
The use of high-temperature ceramic coatings is becoming more common in automotive applications. Ceramic coated parts are often seen in performance production cars and track-only racers, but the benefits are being noticed in the heavy-duty market as well.
Ceramic coatings are designed to reduce heat loss from the engine exhaust systems components including exhaust manifolds, turbocharger casings, exhaust headers, downpipes & tailpipes. Ceramic coatings are recommended for use on parts that are exposed to extremely high temperatures.
Some of the benefits of Ceramic Coating:
- Provides lifetime protection against rust
- Reduction of engine temperature under the hood – 30 degrees or more
- Improves thermal efficiency of the engine system
- A higher density fuel/air charge and more horsepower (3% or more)
Ceramic coatings may be applied on the following; chrome, aluminum, carbon steel, stainless steel, or cast iron. New technological advances now allow thermal barrier coatings to be applied via a plasma spray onto different composite materials as well.
There are many different options when it comes to coating engine parts to help reduce the temperature.
You could purchase high-temperature paint that comes in a spray can, or a do it yourself ceramic coating kit.
There is also an option called “Exhaust Wrap”, which is wrapped completely around the exhaust manifold. This can be inexpensive & fairly simple to do but could lead to premature degradation of the exhaust manifold itself.
As the do-it-yourself options are tempting, things may not always go as planned. Also, the high temp paints do not last as long as an actual ceramic coating can. If you are looking for more longevity from your parts, having them professionally coated would be the best way to go.
