FAQ
Is ceramic coating the
same as powder coating?
No! This process is
ceramic based and is designed for thermal management and friction
management. Although it can be decorative, it is primarily a
functional coating designed to increase performance and durability
of the part.
What about corrosion
resistance?
Our coatings have been rigorously
tested up to 5, 000 hours of five percent salt
spray.
What parts should be
treated?
Any part subject to friction, loss of
lubricating film, heat damage, corrosion or abrasion. In addition,
enhanced appearance is possible for parts such as headers, brackets
and suspension pieces.
How much power will I
gain?
This will depend upon many factors that
will vary from application to application. Testing has shown
significant power increases on a dyno. In addition, certain changes
can be made in such areas as tolerances, timing, jetting and the
lubricants used, which will increase torque and horsepower
and are only possible through the use of coatings. Horsepower gains
of up to 40 horsepower have been measured in independent dyno
testing.
How long will the
coatings last?
Depending on the coating, part
life increases from two to ten times what is normally seen. The
dry-film lubricants may burnish until they are no longer visible;
however, the active materials are bonded into the pores of the part
and continue to provide protection. The thermal-corrosion barrier
coatings may provide corrosion protection for ten years or longer.
Will I see a temperature
change?
Parts will run cooler. Engine oil and
water temperatures have shown a reduction. On headers, the radiated
heat will be substantially reduced, leading to lower underhood
temperatures and less heat absorption by nearby parts and
surfaces.
What kind of temperature
can your coatings withstand?
Chromex™ withstand
up to a 1,300 degree base metal temperature. We offer many other
coatings that will handle up to 2,500 degrees.
I’ve seen headers at car
shows that look like the coating is dull and gray-looking near the
top of the header. Why is that, and can your coatings do
that?
The reason for this is that all metallic
ceramic coatings that have polished aluminum to chrome finish have
aluminum in the coating for the chrome look. Aluminum burns at
1,300 degrees Fahrenheit. That is why the metallic ceramic
coatings are rated at 1,300 degrees. At 1,300 degrees, the
aluminum in the coating burns and turns to a dull color. Yes,
our metallic ceramic coatings, like all others, will go flat at
over 1,300 degrees base metal temperature. We can also advise how to
help avoid the problem from occurring.
What can I do to help avoid the coating from
burning?
The first thing is to avoid fuels with
ethanol in them. The ethanol adds oxygen to the fuel that can raise
the exhaust gas temperature above the limit for the coating. Tests
have shown a 50f to 80f increase in egt with ethanol fuel. Setting
the ignition timing is also very important. Retarded ignition timing
can actually cause some of the fuel mixture to burn in the header
causing severely high egt’s. Many of the universal electric choke
carburetors run very lean on the cruise circuit, which can cause
some burning of the polished coatings. Richen the mixture up a
couple of steps & this is usually enough to take care of the
issue. If you have an intake gasket leaking, there can be one of the
cylinders running very lean causing one primary tube to
burn.
What about
clearances?
The dry film lubricants will burnish
as they run until they are no longer visible. They are applied at
thicknesses ranging from .0005" to .0015". However, before assembly
the coating may be burnished back to less than .0002" with gentle
buffing using "Scotch-Brite, TM" or similar material. NO CHANGES
need to be made in clearances due to the use of these coatings,
though in many instances because of the reduced part temperature and
increased lubrication tighter clearances may be run.
What about machining,
balancing?
All machine work should be done
first.
What tuning changes will
be necessary?
The changes necessary will vary
from engine to engine and depend on how many parts are coated. In
general coating the combustion chamber surfaces will allow you to
run less initial timing with no loss of power (usually a gain will
occur). You may also be able to run significantly less fuel, due to
the more efficient oxidation that occurs with the coated parts.
There are cases where the opposite applies. Obviously no specific
recommendations can be made as every engine/combination will be
different.
Can used headers and
exhaust components be coated?
Yes. Used parts
need to be treated to remove rust and contamination. There may be a
slight charge for this.
How do I send my parts
in?
Call or e-mail for shipping instructions and
a price quote. FedEx Ground is our preferred shipper, their rates
are reasonable and reliable.
What is the turn-around
time?
Exhaust components are usually 3-5 business
days. We can tell you when you contact us what the turn-around time
would be if parts are received immediately.
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