Painting headers.... What to use on chrome?

I have a 4 into 1 header that is chrome, but its got some scratches and rust and the chrome that's left is almost green in color. I can buy a new one from Kerker in black for $230 or so. OR I can paint this one. It has a few small dents on the very botton but you can't see unless you lay down and look under the bike. My question is, would high temp paint bond to the chrome? What paint would you reccomend? Any other thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks

you will probably have to sand blast or use a bead blaster to get the chrome off then you will be able to paint it use either vht header paint or pj1 header paint i've found those paints to be the best. but in any case you will have to get the chrome off some how.

Not sure about the paint best suited but just be sure to scuff up the chrome the best you can. I have sanded the chrome and painted over it and it held and I have also sandblasted chrome and painted it. Both ways held up for me. I would use any paint that would stand up to the heat. It's the preparation that will ultimately determine how good it will "bond" to the part. Paint needs a rough texture to grab onto so anything you can do to do that should work. Just don't get to crazy so you don't leave scratches and stuff the paint can't hide.

Agree w/ racer, simply "roughing " chrome has worked well for me. Dupli-color 500 degree ceramic rattle cans from NAPA have been my choice for years. simple use cures, and holds it's color well.G

I have to Sandblast my tins this week, so I might do the header at the same time. I know the blasting won't take off the chrome, but that should clean them up for paint.


I am just about sick of chrome exhaust headers, every bike I have ever had has had them, they do look nice but my god, the work never ends.... At least with paint if the get crmmy you can just spray them again.

NAPA - rattle can, cool. Any other paints to consider?

VHT hi-temp. not as durable as dupli-color ceramic, and Cal gard's "gun-coat" ( which 100 years ago needed be baked and was often had greenish tinge) a short term but very forgiving paint is simply the flat black rattle can paint for stove pipes. convenient for touch -up a must on my flat tracker which seems to attract tiger stripes. G

BBQ paint works pretty well for hi temp areas along with stove paint.

scuff and shoot,worked fine for the old dumpster header on my z1 :laugh:

Search online for stuff called "GUN KOTE"
It's what they put on air cooled machine guns.
It's some of the toughest stuff I have ever seen.
Sand your pipe , spray it on ,bake it ,,,,Done.
And it comes in colors