DIY High Heat Coatings

[wannawangan]

I just purchased a new turbine housing and would like the benefits of a high heat coating to protect it from rust and to insulate the heat.

Can I just purchase some high heat ceramic paint from the local auto store and use that?

There are several that are rated at 1200 degrees Fahrenheit for automotive use. FYI, this is not to be confused with the type you use for BBQ grills and stoves. I may try this out on my SSAC topmount manifold as well after I've reinforced it.

Please comment on this.

[wannawangan]

Here are the specs I have on the turbine:

- Garret T3 flange- ar .70- divided inlet- 3" v-band outlet

[wannawangan]

I will apply several coats on the outside of turbine housing itself. None of the paint will applied to the inside where the exhaust gases will travel.

[MarkEmark]

Here are the specs I have on the turbine:

- Garret T3 flange- ar .70- divided inlet- 3" v-band outlet

It doesnt matter the specs of your turbo...save your time and aggravation. The paint from auto parts stores does not work well on high-heat applications, nevermind an actual turbine. I gave my downpipe multiple coats with high-temp ceramic "header paint" and it just peeled and cracked, at least for the first foot of the downpipe. I didn't "bake" it in an oven though (the downpipe was one piece and about 3.5 feet long). It's held up well on the rest of the downpipe, obviously because the rest isn't as hot as the first part.

But there's no way in hell that stuff would stay on a turbine. Either get a professional "swain" coating, or even better (and more effective at heat-control), buy a turbo blanket. You can pick up a good one (read: NOT crappy universal ebay "kits") for about $150, e.g., a boost-logic one:



That's what I'll be picking up soon anyway...the "black" blanket fits smaller turbines (standard T3, e.g.), whereas the "silver" blanket fits t4 turbines.

[jday240]

I'm looking into the exhaust coating here.

http://www.sun-engineering.com/prod01.htm

[wannawangan]

Perhaps the way you prepared your parts had something to do with the deterioration of your paint. You also mentioned that you did not let the paint cure properly. Anyways, I came across an article about DIY coatings. Turns out that I'd be better off getting it done professionally since my knowledge and accessibility to proper tools and materials is close to nil.

Here's the article:

http://www.aa1car.com/library/2005/eb80544.htm

Thanks for the input!

[MarkEmark]

Perhaps the way you prepared your parts had something to do with the deterioration of your paint. You also mentioned that you did not let the paint cure properly. Anyways, I came across an article about DIY coatings. Turns out that I'd be better off getting it done professionally since my knowledge and accessibility to proper tools and materials is close to nil.

Here's the article:

http://www.aa1car.com/library/2005/eb80544.htm

Thanks for the input!

As I said, it's impossible to stick a 3.5 foot downpipe in an oven. Additionally, the can did NOT say curing it in the oven was necessary. I DID, however, let the car warm up and cool down (idling) a few times to "cure" it, and it STILL FAILED. I'm just giving you my experience...I don't half-a$$ things, EVER. That's one thing I don't do. It will not work at ALL on a turbine.

And you're right, you're a lot better off getting it done professionally, but for the pain it's going to be sending your turbine out and waiting for a company to paint it, as well as the fact that the coating will NOT do nearly as good a job at keeping underhood temps down and the heat in the turbine where it belongs in comparison to a blanket, I'd suggest a blanket.

There's a reason the majority of CART champ cars run ATP products (the champagne of heat-blankets). They work.

If I had the $300 to spend and the patience to wait 2 weeks or so while I send my turbo out to them, I'd get this:

[wannawangan]

Hmm. The turbo blankets look like a better solution in keeping heat under control. I will have to investigate this for my own knowledge.

[Jookmasta]

bah, bbq paint is where its at. i personally dont run it on my turbo but i sure do run it on my DP and manifold. It has been holding up for over a year now.....................

3.99 at walmart for the kryon bbq black spray

[boznuttz]

really opposed to the idea, heat NEEDS to be dispersed

[MarkEmark]

really opposed to the idea, heat NEEDS to be dispersed

You wouldn't be opposed if you understood the basic concept of a turbo...

A turbo is basically a heat pump. Heat = energy; you WANT the heat (energy) where it BELONGS, in the turbine.

Keeping the heat localized in the turbine also prevents the heat generated from being "dispersed" to other engine componentry that DOESN'T like heat, e.g., master brake cylinder, turbo inlet pipe, intercooler cold pipe, etc.

These turbo blankets aren't used just to keep underhood temps down; just as important is the added gains from keeping the heat where it belongs, e.g., quicker spool time.

[klattr1]

There's a reason the majority of CART champ cars run ATP products (the champagne of heat-blankets). They work.

If I had the $300 to spend and the patience to wait 2 weeks or so while I send my turbo out to them, I'd get this:

definitely...the ATPwrap inconel heatshield really does work good...Mine worked great...

I believe I paid $250 ~3 yrs ago...I didnt have to send my turbo in (5 bolt t3 turbine housing)...they had the casting already developed....

[savatoge]

definitely...the ATPwrap inconel heatshield really does work good...Mine worked great...

I believe I paid $250 ~3 yrs ago...I didnt have to send my turbo in (5 bolt t3 turbine housing)...they had the casting already developed....

I had an ATPwrap inconel heatshield on my 5 bolt T3 housing/T4...it worked amazingly. Didn't have to heat wrap any other underhood components. I'm currently in the process of getting one for fabbed for my new GT32...so if anyone is interested in one for your 5 bolt t3 turbine housing, I've got one available, let me know.

[MarkEmark]

I had an ATPwrap inconel heatshield on my 5 bolt T3 housing/T4...it worked amazingly. Didn't have to heat wrap any other underhood components. I'm currently in the process of getting one for fabbed for my new GT32...so if anyone is interested in one for your 5 bolt t3 turbine housing, I've got one available, let me know.

Damn, and I just ordered a boost logic turbo blanket...

Nonetheless, you've got mail....I can always return the blanket...or sell it to wannawangan hah

[wannawangan]

Wow. Iconel? That's hardcore!

Whatcha want for it?

I'll be doing a v-band set up since the new T3 housing has a v-band flange on the outlet. I should be able to adapt it.

I will email you about the shield/blanket.
Modified by wannawangan at 10:35 PM 6/22/2006

[whiterps13]

Wow. Iconel? That's hardcore!

Whatcha want for it?

My exhaust tip is inconel, I -must- be hardcore.

[wannawangan]

My exhaust tip is inconel, I -must- be hardcore.

That's about as hardcore as you get.

Going back to the subject, DIY coatings may work if you know what you are doing. It takes the necessary tools to prepare the piece(s) (i.e. sandblasting and/or solvent bath) as well as proper cure time of specialized coating.

As for me, looks like it's the turbo blanket for me.

Thanks for your input.

[end of thread]

[NateDogg]

Another reason for a high heat coating on the housing, or should say IN the housing, is to smoothen out the casting ridges and imperfections, further decreasing spool-up (IE increasing efficiency of turbine).