Exhaust Wrap
Exhaust Wrap
My son thinks wrapped pipes look cool and wants to install it on the WG. He said he can take the heat shield off the V&H pipes and do it himself. I don't know anything about the process or the performance. Can anyone enlighten me?
Club Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,192
Likes: 168
From: Knoxville, Tn
Wrapped Pipes
Wrapping them will rust them and ultimately they will crack. If they are wrapped they can't dissipate heat fast enough to cool themselves and the metal gets a little plastic in function.
If you have they money to replace them, go for it.
If you have they money to replace them, go for it.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 98
From: north of the south pole
V&H are pretty good pipes and will last longer than some others. No pipes last forever. If he likes it, let him try. Wrap from the back of the pipe forward. if you tuck the wrap well you don't need a clamp at the starting point.
you won't realize any noticeable performance improvement.
you won't realize any noticeable performance improvement.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,410
Likes: 143
From: Palm Desert,CA
Not that difficult, like mentioned wrap from the tips toward the headers. Make sure he soaks the wrap for a while which makes it much easier, also make sure he wears gloves, lots of material (fiberglass I suppose) to get into the skin.
I like the wrap look and had done my last pipes. A side benefit was that when I dropped the bike one time the wrap got ripped vs. scratching the pipe so all I had to do was re-wrap. Some will say that when the wrap gets wet it will allow the pipes to rust and eventually crack. I'm sure there's some truth to this but so long as you run the bike to dry out the wrap I also think any problems will take a while to happen. I sold mine in favor of my current pipe but not a spec of rust on them when I sold.
I like the wrap look and had done my last pipes. A side benefit was that when I dropped the bike one time the wrap got ripped vs. scratching the pipe so all I had to do was re-wrap. Some will say that when the wrap gets wet it will allow the pipes to rust and eventually crack. I'm sure there's some truth to this but so long as you run the bike to dry out the wrap I also think any problems will take a while to happen. I sold mine in favor of my current pipe but not a spec of rust on them when I sold.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: dupont
I bought a set of black Thunderheaders that I will be wrapping. I never had Thunderheader before, but was told that the black does't hold up. I sent it to be ceramic coated and then will be wrapping the headers to where they come together.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,591
Likes: 68
From: Big Bear City, CA
^^^ True that, no moisture, no rust ^^^
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 837
Likes: 8
From: Wyoming
I've never had wrapped pipes rust. First, the pipes get HOT and that causes any moisture in the wrap to evaporate. Second, use the silicon spray (DEI for example) to coat the wrap. It is waterproof and thus the wrap doesn't get wet. You can also use header paint instead of the silicone spray to achieve the same protection.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,591
Likes: 68
From: Big Bear City, CA
How long does that silicone spray hold up? Does it discolor over time? My bare dark wrap is getting light patches. I don't personally care for the "patina effect" would rather see then remain an even color tone.