Chrome headers are pitted - refurbish ideas?

I recently picked up another XJ750 that had a lot of rust on the header pipes. I spent quite a bit of time removing the rust and they look pretty good from 10 feet away. But when you are real close you can definitely see the pitting.

Most of the chrome is still there. So I want to stop the rust from coming back. Professionally re-plating the chrome not an option because of the expense. I've read about DIY chrome plating but not sure if the results are quality. I don't really want to wrap the pipes and chrome spray paint seems like a bad idea. So I'm wondering if there is a high temp clear-coat available. If so, then I could clean the pipes really good and spray them to keep them from re-rusting.

If there are other ideas out there, I'd love to hear them as well.

Thanks,
-steve

 

Never heard of a VHT clear coat. Have a look here and see if anything suits.. https://www.cerakotehightemp.com/

 

powder coating may be an option

 

im not sure what you read, but from my research DIY chrome plating is a TERRIBLE idea at home. you have to deal with very legit deadly kill you instantly poisons and also its technically illegal to do without the EPA permits and a special license.

though you can nickel, copper, and zinc plat at home easy enough with good results but I don't know how that would hold up on exhaust.

I think you want them to be shinny chrome and pretty only 2 options. pay the crazy money to have them redone, which I have done on some car parts. one middle section of rear bumper was about $800. but your pipes are smaller so cheaper im sure.

or find a decent used set. which is what I would do if I was you.


if your ok with them being a color, powdercoat or ceramic coat or I suppose even a fiberglass wrap.

you could try the clear, I have used VHT high temp clear on engine blocks. but exhaust is much hotter. it might peel. well no it WILL peel, eventually. I just don't have any idea how much time that is.

 

Alot of shops won't replate exhaust headers unless you can get the insided of the pipes really clean. That isn't an issue for ceramic coating so far as I'm aware.

The only non-expensive option is to keep them clean and remember that you can't see them while you're riding the bike.
You can get an aftermarket replacement exhaust system (the whole thing) for less than any of the plating/coating options will cost to just do the headers.

 

If they are pitted with deep rust, forget it. Most likely media blasting will eat holes into it. I would say leave it alone, throw some flat black vht on it as a short term fix or get another set. I am still looking for a new dual pipe system for my 550 Maxim but only see 4 to 1 sets.

 

I have had several sets of motorcycle exhausts Jet Hot coated. Initially the exhaust from my Kawasaki Concours because the mild steel cross over rusts out. It was done about 10 years ago and still looks good and functions well. The exhaust from the Seca 650 I had done in black about 5 years ago and it still is great. The chrome was getting pretty ratty looking. I also had the collector done. They sandblast the original finish off and it ate up the collector and I had to find another. Getting to black finish means 2 coats, the base coat being bright silver but not chrome like. The cost was about $150 plus shipping. The folks there were great to work with and I would do it again. Supposedly the Jet Hot has all the benefits of the wraps without the deficits of the pipes deteriorating. Pics to follow later, after the AM coffee works.
John

 

I had a rusty chrome set powder coated in dull black 20 years ago.
They still look good today.
Note it is a special powder coat used for exhaust.

This is true, dunking used exhaust pipes into their muriatic tank for etching prior to the electroplating process contaminates it.

 

The first pic is the headers from the Kawasaki Concours as they came off the bike, pic #2 is as they returned from Jet Hot Coating. Just as an example. That was about 10 years ago, they are not quite as polished looking but are otherwise great. They definitely still look better than before the coating. John

 

I just got a quote of $215USD to do the entire exhaust(headers and mufflers) for any combination of 1 to 4 cyls to 1 to 4 outlets. That is for polished or satin silver. Color options are $322.50USD. I know what my next project will be once the bike is back together. Thanks for the info!

 

wow, those pipes look awesome.

 

XJ550 exhaust system quote. All parts must be disassembled before shipping to them. The chrome will be stripped off before coating.

 

Thanks guys, I just found a company in Canada doing this.
Definitely going to package up the exhaust for my Turbo and send it to them.

 

That's reasonable. Especially since there are no exact replicas of the stock system on the market (some that are close, but none that are exact).

 

I know! The new exhaust systems are usually 4 to 1 cheap sheet metal and cost a min of $500 without shipping. I have a couple of small holes under the mufflers on each side right at the up bend. Must be a drain hole that has started to rot. I need header tubes though, mine look like hammer town.

 

Y’all will like this!

 

Pipe wrap will rust the pipes out unless it's kept dry. I'd use it as a last resort IMHO. I actually had a turbo blanket, same material in a jacket with fiberglass padding, cause a PTE turbine housing to rot out just from sitting outside collecting morning dew under the hood for a year.

 

Just had my 4:1 done at Jet hot, was 205 us plus 40 shipping each way, results were awesome, worth saving for plus life time warranty!