Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: JoeR on May 14, 2011, 08:57:49 AM
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BC (before crash) there was a thread about painting the end caps on the bazooka exhaust. Since it is raining today, I was thinking about doing this mod. I don't remember what paint the OP used, I'm guessing any exhaust header type paint would do? I would like to paint the end caps black to try to lessen the visual impact of the muffler. I really don't want a louder exhaust, and I can't afford to spend the money on an aftermarket muffler.
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Powder coating is the best option IMHO, but some have had good results with high temp spray paint.
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It was the Grille paint from Home depot, it is in the spray can section. Mine have stood up ok but I may go the Powder Coat option if I decide on keeping it on.
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Powder coating is the best option IMHO
+1...
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It was the Grille paint from Home depot, it is in the spray can section. Mine have stood up ok but I may go the Powder Coat option if I decide on keeping it on.
that stuff is great BUT beware of how you handle it before you get it hot and baked on. it is very fragile paint before it is "cooked" on.
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Just curious about the suggestion of powder-coating, I bake powder-coated parts at 400 - 450 degrees, wouldn't the forward end cap get hotter than that? Has anyone done theirs and does it get soft at operating temp.?
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I found some paint at the auto parts store, it is Rustoleum and is made for wheels, supposed to be harder to chip etc. etc. I decided against black, the color in person looks kinda like the Black Chrome muffler ends that Projeckt D sells, only about $260 cheaper. Time will tell how this paint lasts.
(http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae94/kawijoer/photo-1.jpg)
(http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae94/kawijoer/photo-2.jpg)
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Just curious about the suggestion of powder-coating, I bake powder-coated parts at 400 - 450 degrees, wouldn't the forward end cap get hotter than that? Has anyone done theirs and does it get soft at operating temp.?
When I had the bazooka, I had a powder coated end-cap........no issues whatsoever.
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Just curious about the suggestion of powder-coating, I bake powder-coated parts at 400 - 450 degrees, wouldn't the forward end cap get hotter than that? Has anyone done theirs and does it get soft at operating temp.?
Would the front end cap get that hot? They should be air cooled when moving, I guess if you're stuck in traffic for a while they might.
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mine are powder coated and no issues at all paid about $40 for both
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(http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae94/kawijoer/photo-1.jpg)
That's some serious shine on your bags Joe, is that scuff gaurd or the reflector stuff??
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It's the reflector stuff. Really lights up at night.
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It was the Grille paint from Home depot, it is in the spray can section. Mine have stood up ok but I may go the Powder Coat option if I decide on keeping it on.
that's what i used on mine;)
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I found some paint at the auto parts store, it is Rustoleum and is made for wheels, supposed to be harder to chip etc. etc. I decided against black, the color in person looks kinda like the Black Chrome muffler ends that Projeckt D sells, only about $260 cheaper.
What was your purpose in painting it? Since you chose a color similar to stock (silverish), then I have to assume it was to cover damage or permanent discoloration?
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I used the 2000 degree stove paint on the header pipe that is visual under the bike, it is holding so far. I may use it on the end caps also.
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I used the 2000 degree stove paint on the header pipe that is visual under the bike, it is holding so far. I may use it on the end caps also.
Hmmm.... interesting, looks good, I've been thinking about doing my header pipe like that but was leaning towards Jet-hot coating...
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Hmmm.... interesting, looks good, I've been thinking about doing my header pipe like that but was leaning towards Jet-hot coating...
Well, the stove paint is really cheap and anything looks better than the old rusty looking pipe hanging under the bike. If it fades in the future I can just put some more paint on it.
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What bugged me looking at the muffler, aside from the size, was that the end caps were bright silver. I wanted to darken them so they didn't stand out so much. I was out in the garage this morning looking at the color. It is hard to get a good picture of it with my iPhone camera. It really just darkened the end caps. This Rustoleum wheel paint is very metallic, and at least right now, looks good. Someday I hope to get a carbon fiber muffler.
What was your purpose in painting it? Since you chose a color similar to stock (silverish), then I have to assume it was to cover damage or permanent discoloration?
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Here is a more representative picture of how the end caps look after painting them with Rustoleum wheel paint:
(http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae94/kawijoer/photo-12.jpg)
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That looks nice Joe, I am contemplating having mine Powder Coated that same color. I posted in the Wanted section my desire for a 2010 or later factory exhaust and if I find one I am gonna definitely get the caps powder coated this color. :)
well, I liked it so much I had to try it for myself. Imitation is the best form of flattery or something like that.
I like it better than the Flat Black Grille paint.
After:
(http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/2007electraroad/DSC02486.jpg)
Before:
(http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/2007electraroad/DSC02342.jpg)
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Well during a weekend trip to the Blue Ridge my painted tips did not fair too well. The previous BBQ grille paint held up well but the wheel paint did not. Just a little scuffing from my wifes shoes dug into the paint. So I took a trip to the powder coating guy and this is the update:
(http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/2007electraroad/DSC02521.jpg)
(http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/2007electraroad/DSC02517.jpg)
(http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/2007electraroad/DSC02505.jpg)
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The powder coating looks great. So far my wheel paint is holding up. I can't get the end caps off my muffler, the hex heads on the screws are stripped. I hope to find a good used muffler off a 10 or newer since they are a bit shorter. One of my buds does powder coating, I'll have him powder coat the end caps, and maybe the wheels.
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Thanks. I missed an entire 2010 exhaust on ebay a few weeks ago for 80.00, that was what I planned to do but my efforts in locating an affordable stock system failed. I did not see paying 200.00 for a stock muffler when I could get a nice slip on for a little over 300.
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After i cut off 6" to the potato launcher did paint black the area around the center of the end cap
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After i cut off 6" to the potato launcher did paint black the area around the center of the end cap
I saw that afterwards and actually considered taking it back and having that area done in black powder coat since it does tend to darken. If the powder coat cleans up easy I will just keep it as is.