How to Paint Motorcycle Exhaust Pipes

The major problem with painting motorcycle exhaust pipes is that you often end up with chips and bubbles due to the high temperature. Use a paint made for your purpose--or for something else that's really hot, such as a barbecue grill. You still may have problems with your paint, so consider using a heat wrap on the hottest spots.

Things You'll Need

• High-temperature paint Fine sandpaper Masking tape Newspaper Latex gloves

Instructions

1. Use a wire brush and a cleaning product, such as paint thinner, to remove dirt and grease. Sand the pipe lightly. With latex gloves on, wipe the surface with thinner once again. Use tape and newspaper to mask off anything you don't want painted.

2. Buy paint that resists high heat, such as PJ1 high-temp paint. You can find spray cans of it on websites and at auto parts stores. You also can use flat black paint made for barbecue grills--it's available at many hardware stores. Spray on several light coats, letting them dry in between.

3. At the end, warm up your bike for about 15 minutes. Let it cool, and warm it up again for about a half-hour. This slow warming process helps the paint cure.

4. After painting, use header or heat wrap on the first 6 inches or so. Even high-temperature paint will peel near the engine, and wrapping makes it look better. The wrap is available at hot rod shops.

Tips & Warnings

• If you want to splurge, get a high-heat ceramic coating. Depending on the finish, it can resist temperatures from 1,300 to 2,000 degrees F.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• High-heat ceramic coatings
• Learn more about painting motorcycle exhaust pipes