Pipe wrap questions

"Big Bubba Ray" (eganward01) 03/25/2014 at 19:29 • Filed to: None

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Recently I've been considering pipe wrapping the exhaust on my Baja Bug because it's starting to get some surface rust and it looks dumb. I've read that wrapping the exhaust can help in keeping engine temps down, which would be awesome, especially when the weather starts to warm up here in STL. I've also read that pipe wrap can promote rust because it holds in moisture, but I don't drive my Bug in the rain at all, so I don't think that would be a problem.

My question to you guys would be: do you think pipe wrap is a good idea or should I just forget about it and paint my exhaust? Here's the current state of what my pipes look like.

Have an R8 that I just spotted as payment for your time.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Big Bubba Ray 03/25/2014 at 19:36

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Ceramic paint them first.

http://www.eastwood.com/factory-gray-h…

Then wrap.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Big Bubba Ray 03/25/2014 at 19:39

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well you could pipe wrap it and that is easy but if you want some extra work that will deliver same or better results look at some of the crinkle coat engine/exhaust paint

Big Bubba Ray > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic 03/25/2014 at 19:41

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Ya if the general consensus is that pipe wrap is a no go, then I will be repainting. I've always just loved the look of pipe wrap for some reason and that's why I'm trying to get Oppo's opinion on the matter.

Big Bubba Ray > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 03/25/2014 at 19:41

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Why paint then wrap?

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Big Bubba Ray 03/25/2014 at 19:45

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I like it I think it is a good idea to wrap one's pipes

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Big Bubba Ray 03/25/2014 at 19:47

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Paint it first to stop the corrosion. Then if you don't like it, wrap it.

Or get yourself a nice set of headers.

CPT Speedbump > Big Bubba Ray 03/25/2014 at 19:47

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What about..wrapping a muffler?...it...might look decent?.. my ..street Beetle's exhuast drags on ..things...like..the street..and driveway...sometimes..so the underside of my fat boy muffler doesn't look pretty no more, lol

Big Bubba Ray > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 03/25/2014 at 19:48

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Ah, thanks for the clarification. I would be happy repainting for wrapping. Either way would look far better than it is now, but I'm partial to pipe wrap so I was getting everyone's opinion around here. Thanks!

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Big Bubba Ray 03/25/2014 at 19:50

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Oh, I love the look of wrapped pipes.

Big Bubba Ray > CPT Speedbump 03/25/2014 at 19:50

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Haha well the Bug is straight piped right now, so no muffler!

CPT Speedbump > Big Bubba Ray 03/25/2014 at 19:55

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Ahh, alright..whats your opinion on a wrapped fat boy? lol, should just get new rear shocks so the rear doesn't sag really..but I has no monies..and when I get some, my priority atm is a LSD for my 350Z, lol

Big Bubba Ray > CPT Speedbump 03/25/2014 at 19:57

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Wrapped fat boy I think could look good. I've never seen a fat boy in person, only in pictures and it's not my favorite exhaust for a Bug, but I think the wrap could make it look a lot more mean!

CPT Speedbump > Big Bubba Ray 03/25/2014 at 20:12

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It's a great sounding exhaust though ;) and the headers line up for a stinger if I ever want :D

i-do-strange-things > Big Bubba Ray 03/25/2014 at 22:34

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When I was racing my dwarfcar in the dirt, I had my header wrapped. Raced in dirt-mud-slop-whatever. Hosed the car down every week-un wrapped it after a couple of years (just to fix some frayed wrap) and it looked fine. A bit of patina-but no major rust (like I keep hearing about all the time) was showing.

Big Bubba Ray > i-do-strange-things 03/25/2014 at 22:59

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That's good to know. Is there any kind of sealant or coating you can apply on top of the wrap to keep moisture out? Archduke recommended that I paint the exhaust first in order to further prevent possible rust.

Gizmo - The Only Good Gremlin, but don't feed me after Midnight > Big Bubba Ray 03/26/2014 at 00:54

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Late to the party as usual. If you can afford it, there are three places in the metro STL that do outstanding Ceramic Coatings. One even will prep inside and out, put a heavy coat inside and two coats outside and baked between each step for just under $400. The ceramic coating is as good as or better than any wrap (unless you just like the look of a wrap). The technology has progressed with ceramic to the point you can have just about any texture and color or even Chrome look for a small additional fee.

I you like the look of wrap you might consider a single heavy coat to the exterior and bake, then wrap. Or if you're cheap like me and have a big enough oven, you can buy the ceramic header coating and bake your own (DO NOT USE ENGINE PAINT). Just be sure you prep well, thin coat & bake, thin coat & bake, thin coat & bake, etc.

Big Bubba Ray > Gizmo - The Only Good Gremlin, but don't feed me after Midnight 03/26/2014 at 01:05

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Haha thanks for the info! I would be happy doing either repainting or wrapping; pretty much whatever is cheaper! I like the look of pipe wrap a lot so I think I might go that route.

At this point, I'm thinking of sanding down to bare metal, painting, then wrapping. I'm probably going to do as much of the work by myself to keep costs down right now. There's a VW store a little outside STL called Archway Imports and I'm going to stop by there tomorrow or something to grab some wrap and paint!

Gizmo - The Only Good Gremlin, but don't feed me after Midnight > Big Bubba Ray 03/26/2014 at 01:27

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If you're gonna paint anyway, can you bake it? The ceramic header paint adheres better if baked between coats. The rattle cans are ~$6 each.

I have heard of some folks without a big enough oven that put them on the car and let the car bake them, but I couldn't see me putting them on and off that many times.

Big Bubba Ray > Gizmo - The Only Good Gremlin, but don't feed me after Midnight 03/26/2014 at 01:38

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Luckily my mom has a huge ass oven that she uses for catering purposes and when my exhaust is off the car it breaks down into two pieces (two pipes, four pieces total). I don't know if you took a close look at the car show but it's insanely easy to remove the pipes from my car. Maybe a 20 minute job at the most. I could break the exhaust down, paint, and bake one pipe at a time. It would take a bit of time but that's no problem.

The Bug isn't a DD so painting/wrapping could go on for a few days when I have the time to do it. What paint would you recommend?

Gizmo - The Only Good Gremlin, but don't feed me after Midnight > Big Bubba Ray 03/26/2014 at 02:10

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I'm not home now, but have heard good things about VHT Flameproof system. Not nearly as good for heat dissipation as the commercial grade stuff used by the aforementioned coating companies, but will help considerably.

"VHT provides a multi-high performance coating system for the ultimate in protection and quality. The system includes surface preparation, primer, paint and clear coat.

Prep SP445 Prep Spray

Prime SP118 FlameProof™ Primer

Coat SPXXX FlameProof™ Color

Finish SP115 FlameProof™ Clear"

Big Bubba Ray > Gizmo - The Only Good Gremlin, but don't feed me after Midnight 03/26/2014 at 02:13

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Great, thanks again for the information! It's been extremely helpful.

I'll post updates when I start painting/wrapping the exhaust!

i-do-strange-things > Big Bubba Ray 03/26/2014 at 07:24

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The paint won't hurt. I dont know of any sealer.

briannutter1 > Big Bubba Ray 03/26/2014 at 09:40

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Mild steel pipes will deteriorate/rust REALLY fast with wrap. I did it on a set of headers and was they were junk within 3 years. The wrap people usually recommend you leave it slightly loose. Still looks cool though and is very effective at lowering engine bay heat.

GRawesome > Big Bubba Ray 03/26/2014 at 17:27

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Is the bug stored inside or at least under cover? And how often do you drive it, dailyish?

I'm just guessing but I would think the heat from the headers would evaporate any water that gets absorbed into the wrap, preventing corrosion. So if it was driven often and stored away from rain, warp would do a good job of preventing corrosion. But if it sits for long periods of time outside then it might accelerate the corrosion by keeping water close to the headers. Again just guessing, but sounds logically to me.

I too love that pipe wrap. Have considered doing it to my Bronco and will do it to my bike once I get around to fixing it.

Big Bubba Ray > GRawesome 03/26/2014 at 20:47

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The Bug is always stored inside. I drive it four or five times a week, never in the rain or bad weather.