Any ceramic coating fixes possible?

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rod7515

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I just finished installing my headers on my 66 Dart. During the installation because of the tight fitment the headers ended up with some scratches in the ceramic coatings. Is there any repairs that I can do with this? Its not a show stopper but if there is a fix I would like to do it now before I put more things onto the car. These headers have not been ran yet and will probably not see a startup for a few more months.
Rod
 
Call Jet Hot Coatings in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma they do coating for TTI. I bet they have some suggestions.405.789. 2888 | Toll-free: 800.432.3379.
 
I just finished installing my headers on my 66 Dart. During the installation because of the tight fitment the headers ended up with some scratches in the ceramic coatings. Is there any repairs that I can do with this? Its not a show stopper but if there is a fix I would like to do it now before I put more things onto the car. These headers have not been ran yet and will probably not see a startup for a few more months.
Rod

What color ceramic do you have? Post up some pics of the damage as well.
 
CCP Coatings, Here is a pic of the scratches that I have with the headers. Any help with repair would be appreciated. If my only option is to send them out I will live with what damage is on them.
Thanks to the other poster replies as well. I am sure I am not the only person that has scratches that would be nice to repair on ceramic headers. I am learning that Ceramic coating is a very soft none sticking material.
View attachment DSCN3894.jpg

View attachment DSCN3893.jpg


Rod
 
CCP Coatings, Here is a pic of the scratches that I have with the headers. Any help with repair would be appreciated. If my only option is to send them out I will live with what damage is on them.
Thanks to the other poster replies as well. I am sure I am not the only person that has scratches that would be nice to repair on ceramic headers. I am learning that Ceramic coating is a very soft none sticking material.
View attachment 1714780996

View attachment 1714780997


Rod

Hey Rod:

Not sure that i'm following with "soft none sticking material". On the contrary, ceramic is generally on the middle / upper end of the hardness scale. I think like 4H + ish. As for it "sticking", if the coating is applied "properly" it will have a nearly metallurgical bond with the substrate. Meaning you can whack the headers with a ball peen hammer and you'll bend the metal before the coating with de-laminate.

Now if your headers were NOT prepped "properly" or if the ceramic was applied too heavy you'll see the opposite. Just bumping the header the wrong way could cause a chip, crack or delamination. None of this has very much to do with scratching though.

Its hard to really make out any detail in your pics but it looks like you have fairly large scuffs. Keep in mind that ceramic is tough, but its not kyptonite. I tell guys to treat their coated parts with care as if you were handling any painted parts on the car. I also recommend installing them with protective garbage bags / sheets etc to avoid greasy / grimy hands as well as bumps / scratches.

That said, the best way to remedy what you have there is with some aluminum polish. You want something NON abrasive. I prefer Flitz but any will do. Rub it in and polish it off like any other aluminum part. Don't get crazy with any wheels or unnecessary pressure as the aluminum skin is fairly thin. If you've dug past the shiny aluminum skin to the grayish insulating coat, there isn't much you can do. I suspect polishing everything you have there will make it much less noticable.
 
these scratches were made when I losened up the drivers motor mount and left the motor rotate down about 2" so I could slightly dent the pipe to clear the frame rail. I understand what your saying about the hardness but the paint in the engine compartment is only 3 days old at the time this was done and it didnt mark up the new white paint. Makes me wonder how well the process was for the coating on my headers. I will try to find the Flitz and see how well that may work. Thanks again for your advice and information.
Rod
 
Hey Rod:

Not sure that i'm following with "soft none sticking material". On the contrary, ceramic is generally on the middle / upper end of the hardness scale. I think like 4H + ish. As for it "sticking", if the coating is applied "properly" it will have a nearly metallurgical bond with the substrate. Meaning you can whack the headers with a ball peen hammer and you'll bend the metal before the coating with de-laminate.

Now if your headers were NOT prepped "properly" or if the ceramic was applied too heavy you'll see the opposite. Just bumping the header the wrong way could cause a chip, crack or delamination. None of this has very much to do with scratching though.

Its hard to really make out any detail in your pics but it looks like you have fairly large scuffs. Keep in mind that ceramic is tough, but its not kyptonite. I tell guys to treat their coated parts with care as if you were handling any painted parts on the car. I also recommend installing them with protective garbage bags / sheets etc to avoid greasy / grimy hands as well as bumps / scratches.

That said, the best way to remedy what you have there is with some aluminum polish. You want something NON abrasive. I prefer Flitz but any will do. Rub it in and polish it off like any other aluminum part. Don't get crazy with any wheels or unnecessary pressure as the aluminum skin is fairly thin. If you've dug past the shiny aluminum skin to the grayish insulating coat, there isn't much you can do. I suspect polishing everything you have there will make it much less noticable.


Finally!!!!!!!!!! :-D SOMEBODY gets it -- Rod, welcome to FABO. It's refreshing to have another qualified pro on board who presents facts instead of just passing on rumors. Just like any finish on any metal, adequate prep and proper application are key to great results.
 
these scratches were made when I losened up the drivers motor mount and left the motor rotate down about 2" so I could slightly dent the pipe to clear the frame rail. I understand what your saying about the hardness but the paint in the engine compartment is only 3 days old at the time this was done and it didnt mark up the new white paint. Makes me wonder how well the process was for the coating on my headers. I will try to find the Flitz and see how well that may work. Thanks again for your advice and information.
Rod

Any aluminum polish will work, Mothers, etc. I prefer the Flitz liquid over the others because you can wipe it on and wipe it off much easier than the others that come in a paste version. Also, it doesn't have any noticeable abrasives in it. I would make the abrasive versions a last result.

Its a good idea to polish your headers every other season or so when you have them off. Doing so will keep them bright and shiny for many years to come.
 
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