Exhaust painting

[AlaskanTrail]

Hey fellas,

I’ll be picking up my bike later this week, but I was curious to know the paint/methods to paint the exhaust black. I like the look that I’ve seen from the few guys who’ve done that on here.

I remember seeing someone use/recommend high heat black rustoleum, but how was the original silver/chrome paint removed from
the exhaust and shield? Sanding? Lots and lots of sanding?

Appreciate any info you’ve got!


AK Trail

 

[stopper]

I realized long ago that while I love tinkering with everything (wrenching, wiring, soldering, modifying, you name it), the one thing that I can never get right and always frustrates me is painting - So I avoid it if at all possible.

I personally decided to bring the two exhaust shield pieces to a local shop and have them professionally ceramic-coat them in satin black Cerakote for about a hundred bucks. I couldn't be happier with how it turned out. Perfectly even coverage, and with the added heat resistance of ceramic coating, I can ride for 30-45 minutes straight and put my hand right on the exhaust shield without an issue.

However, if you're patient with a spray can, you can definitely accomplish the exact same look for a lot less with a high heat-resistant spray paint. I'm sure others that did it themselves can chime in with the best method for prepping the metal though.

 

[Allhatnocattle]

I removed the heat shields, hand sanded, and painted with high heat krylon satin black. The rustoleum ones that some folks used gives it too matte of a finish for my liking. The Krylon has a nice subtle sheen to it.

 

[AlaskanTrail]

Thanks for the info! It looks so good!!

How detailed of sanding did you give it? Like, completely removed every bit of factory paint, or a light roughening for the krylon to adhere?

 

[Allhatnocattle]

Thanks for the info! It looks so good!!

How detailed of sanding did you give it? Like, completely removed every bit of factory paint, or a light roughening for the krylon to adhere?

I don’t know if it’s actually painted, or just a polished aluminum. But I only spent like 10 minutes sanding to rough up the metal enough to get the paint to adhere, then started with very light coats. Probably 6 coats total. You’ll see once you start sanding that it doesn’t take much to rough it up. 600 miles in and it looks just like it did when I first painted it. My motorcycle mechanic/shop owner was blown away that I did it myself with a rattle can.

 

[Msfitoy]

Hey fellas,

I’ll be picking up my bike later this week, but I was curious to know the paint/methods to paint the exhaust black. I like the look that I’ve seen from the few guys who’ve done that on here.

I remember seeing someone use/recommend high heat black rustoleum, but how was the original silver/chrome paint removed from
the exhaust and shield? Sanding? Lots and lots of sanding?

Appreciate any info you’ve got!


AK Trail

I did that...others have used different paint but all works well...

 

[rightspy]

There’s also Rustoleum Hi Heat Primer for engines you can use as a base coat after you rough it up

 

[Codyg5]

I removed the heat shields, hand sanded, and painted with high heat krylon satin black. The rustoleum ones that some folks used gives it too matte of a finish for my liking. The Krylon has a nice subtle sheen to it.

View attachment 2552

Thinking of doing this as well. Looks awesome! Do you happen to know what grit of sandpaper worked best for you?

 

[Msfitoy]

Thinking of doing this as well. Looks awesome! Do you happen to know what grit of sandpaper worked best for you?

I didn't sand mine...just degreased it well...then prime and paint...holding up quite well...

 

[Codyg5]

I didn't sand mine...just degreased it well...then prime and paint...holding up quite well...

Hey, thanks for the info.

 

[rightspy]

I realized long ago that while I love tinkering with everything (wrenching, wiring, soldering, modifying, you name it), the one thing that I can never get right and always frustrates me is painting - So I avoid it if at all possible.

I personally decided to bring the two exhaust shield pieces to a local shop and have them professionally ceramic-coat them in satin black Cerakote for about a hundred bucks. I couldn't be happier with how it turned out. Perfectly even coverage, and with the added heat resistance of ceramic coating, I can ride for 30-45 minutes straight and put my hand right on the exhaust shield without an issue.

However, if you're patient with a spray can, you can definitely accomplish the exact same look for a lot less with a high heat-resistant spray paint. I'm sure others that did it themselves can chime in with the best method for prepping the metal though.

Do you have a pic of what the Cerakote looks like? I can rattle can paint but this seems like a much more durable option

 

[Timmy6216]

Has anyone considered using automotive engine block paint? When I get my 125 I fully plan on doing the exhaust Shields in matte black

 

[SgtAlf]

I removed the heat shields, hand sanded, and painted with high heat krylon satin black. The rustoleum ones that some folks used gives it too matte of a finish for my liking. The Krylon has a nice subtle sheen to it.

View attachment 2552

What tires are you running on your Trail? They look like 3", any rub issues?

 

[AZ7000']

I have 3" tires, front and rear. They pick up some rocks occasionally and scrape the front fender. At 50+ I hear something, thinking the centrifugal force is having the tire rub on the fender bolts??

hasn't bothered me enough to do anything about it. Lots of threads about it.

 

[Codyg5]

I don’t know if it’s actually painted, or just a polished aluminum. But I only spent like 10 minutes sanding to rough up the metal enough to get the paint to adhere, then started with very light coats. Probably 6 coats total. You’ll see once you start sanding that it doesn’t take much to rough it up. 600 miles in and it looks just like it did when I first painted it. My motorcycle mechanic/shop owner was blown away that I did it myself with a rattle can.

Did you use the regular Krylon high heat or the high heat Max version.? Trying to figure out if the Max version still has the same sheen as the regular. The max looks to be more of a gloss

 

[cchekan]

Did you use the regular Krylon high heat or the high heat Max version.? Trying to figure out if the Max version still has the same sheen as the regular. The max looks to be more of a gloss

@Allhatnocattle I had the same question as well as a few more (for anyone with insight/xp):
1. Should I go Krylon high heat or high heat max?
2. Did you just paint the exhaust shields, or the exhaust muffler itself too?
3. After sanding and before painting, did you use a degreaser or apply a primer? If so - what primer is recommended?
4. Could the same paint/process be used on the bottom skid plate and the two silver engine guard poles?

THANKS!

 

[Msfitoy]

@Allhatnocattle I had the same question as well as a few more (for anyone with insight/xp):
1. Should I go Krylon high heat or high heat max?
2. Did you just paint the exhaust shields, or the exhaust muffler itself too?
3. After sanding and before painting, did you use a degreaser or apply a primer? If so - what primer is recommended?
4. Could the same paint/process be used on the bottom skid plate and the two silver engine guard poles?

THANKS!

I used Krylon satin "high heat" and it's working well for me...the shield doesn't actually heat up to muffler temps so I don't think max heat is needed...

 

[m in sc]

another option is caliper paint, ive used it on other motorcycle exhausts and it holds up fantastic.

 

[Codyg5]

@Allhatnocattle I had the same question as well as a few more (for anyone with insight/xp):
1. Should I go Krylon high heat or high heat max?
2. Did you just paint the exhaust shields, or the exhaust muffler itself too?
3. After sanding and before painting, did you use a degreaser or apply a primer? If so - what primer is recommended?
4. Could the same paint/process be used on the bottom skid plate and the two silver engine guard poles?

THANKS!

I ended up buying both the Krylon high heat and high heat max. The high heat has more of a satin finish compared to the gloss of the max. Took back the max and painted my exhaust shield( just the shields) with the regular high heat. I much prefer the satin finish. I did first light sand and apply a high heat grey primer( rust-oleum). It has held up great! Not sure how it would look on the skid plate and engine guard.

 

[Msfitoy]

I ended up buying both the Krylon high heat and high heat max. The high heat has more of a satin finish compared to the gloss of the max. Took back the max and painted my exhaust shield( just the shields) with the regular high heat. I much prefer the satin finish. I did first light sand and apply a high heat grey primer( rust-oleum). It has held up great! Not sure how it would look on the skid plate and engine guard.

What I did...very nice satin finish...