manifold paint/ finishing

cantdecide

Problem X 2

1)

I have a Suzuki GSX1400 like the one in the pic along with it's standard chrome downpipes


They're gone very grubby and I want to do something about them. I can get them in stainless but they're pricey and I hate yellowey stainless pipes. Especially when they are such a prominent feature of these bikes.

I was toying with the idea of painting them black, which I think is appropriate for the bike and durible. I was also thinking about having them re-chromed, if I thought it would be more durible than the original chrome.

2)
My other bike is a Hayabusa.

I'm taking off a custom system and putting it back to standard, like the one shown. The standard manifold extends from the engine back to the tail cans, which bolt on. This end piece is seen and the manifold I got needs repainting. I suppose I'll paint the whole thing. I just need to know if there is any special preparation I must do? Is it ordinary spray exhaust paint I can use?

Would either or both manifolds need to be blasted?

spiggotpaddy

it would prolly be cheaper to buy new header pipes on flea bay.or wemoto.
the down pipes are stainless, dont think you could re-chrome them.
you could get them polished, you'll find lots of adds on dungdeal.

Owen

Never knew you were into bikes to, I'd a few Blackbirds and a 916 up until very recently. Painting the pipes probably won't be great, you're as well off trying to get the tidied up as a previous poster said.

cantdecide

PaintDoctor wrote: »

Never knew you were into bikes to, I'd a few Blackbirds and a 916 up until very recently. Painting the pipes probably won't be great, you're as well off trying to get the tidied up as a previous poster said.

I had a Blackbird until recently. They're marvellous! I was thinking about talking to you about the bellypan on the 1400 actually. It definitely needs repainting.

Owen

We must know each other from the bike scene to see I'd say. I used to be in the Pistons MCC (Which is now the Mischief Makers).

cantdecide

PaintDoctor wrote: »

We must know each other from the bike scene to see I'd say. I used to be in the Pistons MCC (Which is now the Mischief Makers).

Maybe so. I'm only on bikes 3 years so it depends what you mean by recently. I go to the events but I give the clubs etc a miss. Do you do a lot of work on bikes?

Midnight_EG

Get some Auto-Sol metal polish and spend a while on each header, you'll be happy with the finish

Owen

Don't really do much bike stuff, there's too many colour variations on the same panels, and all the decals. I do my own stuff, that's about it.

On the exhaust note, try popping -Corkie- a PM, he makes exhausts from scratch.