Ceramic Coating the PSE tips
06-29-2012, 01:58 PM
#1
Poseur
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Ceramic Coating the PSE tips
One chief complaint I have had with the PSE exhaust is that the tips get black fairly quickly. Far faster than my PCCB-equiped wheels. I had read of others choosing to either powder paint or have them ceramic coated. In truth, the exhaust tips do not get that hot, with the way they are designed. However, I felt that a ceramic coating would hold up over the long haul. I began to investigate ceramic coating shops.
I went with Caps Coatings in Fresno, CA. http://capscoatings.com/
They are a very professional outfit--a real joy to work with, compared to so many operations, today. I simply unbolted my original chrome plated ones with a 13mm socket and a 1/2 inch ratchet, and put them in a box and mailed them out. (I was even lazy to not clean them up before I sent them out--but I knew that they would media blast them first so it would be a waste of time).
It takes them about a week to strip them, media blast them, and then paint and 'cook' them. They come back well packed and are flawless. I went with their "Black Ceramic."
I have not understood Porsche's movement to adding chrome to these cars. As many of you may know, Porsche led the black trim craze back in 1974 when they began to get rid of chrome on their cars, choosing instead to tone down everything. But with the newer cars must be a market for chrome taste! In some instances the black is coming back, like on the new 997 Speedster.
To reinstall these things you may want to use some Antiseize on the captive ring and on the outer diameter of the pipe on which you will ultimately tighten the hose clamp. Put some blue painters tape on the end of the new tips to protect them from injury. Ceramic is fairly tough, but not invincible to getting beaten up if you try to use metal tools to reinstall them. You should take off all rings and use your hands only to place them, and slowly twist them into position, mindful of the other small diameter pipe which should simply be centered in the opening. Then, with your 13mm ratchet, tighten them back up. Alignment should be horizontal and parallel to the bottom of the opening of the body work.
Plan on the tips being off the car for about two weeks, and figure on a rough cost of about $120
I went with Caps Coatings in Fresno, CA. http://capscoatings.com/
They are a very professional outfit--a real joy to work with, compared to so many operations, today. I simply unbolted my original chrome plated ones with a 13mm socket and a 1/2 inch ratchet, and put them in a box and mailed them out. (I was even lazy to not clean them up before I sent them out--but I knew that they would media blast them first so it would be a waste of time).
It takes them about a week to strip them, media blast them, and then paint and 'cook' them. They come back well packed and are flawless. I went with their "Black Ceramic."
I have not understood Porsche's movement to adding chrome to these cars. As many of you may know, Porsche led the black trim craze back in 1974 when they began to get rid of chrome on their cars, choosing instead to tone down everything. But with the newer cars must be a market for chrome taste! In some instances the black is coming back, like on the new 997 Speedster.
To reinstall these things you may want to use some Antiseize on the captive ring and on the outer diameter of the pipe on which you will ultimately tighten the hose clamp. Put some blue painters tape on the end of the new tips to protect them from injury. Ceramic is fairly tough, but not invincible to getting beaten up if you try to use metal tools to reinstall them. You should take off all rings and use your hands only to place them, and slowly twist them into position, mindful of the other small diameter pipe which should simply be centered in the opening. Then, with your 13mm ratchet, tighten them back up. Alignment should be horizontal and parallel to the bottom of the opening of the body work.
Plan on the tips being off the car for about two weeks, and figure on a rough cost of about $120
06-29-2012, 02:31 PM
#5
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Looks great, but I suggest Rennlisters use the guys at FD Motorsports for this ceramic powder coating. They are our site sponsors, and do great work!
They also have several color choices.
They did my bypass pipes this past winter.
They also have several color choices.
They did my bypass pipes this past winter.
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06-29-2012, 06:36 PM
#8
is FD Motorsports pricing similar?
Also looking at the lighter colors, are those able to be cleaned after having some of the exhaust soot getting them dirty?
My wife has a BMW with matte silver tips and we use steel wool to clean them.
But they look great and I hate chrome, but not looking to do black tips either.
Also looking at the lighter colors, are those able to be cleaned after having some of the exhaust soot getting them dirty?
My wife has a BMW with matte silver tips and we use steel wool to clean them.
But they look great and I hate chrome, but not looking to do black tips either.
06-29-2012, 11:14 PM
#10
Poseur
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I would imagine pricing is similar but one company might be a little closer for mailing to some locations. I didn't really drive mine without the tips other than moving it around the driveway area and garage. I checked the bill closer and it was $100 and about $23 for freight with insurance set at $350. It was a very hard 2-3 weeks without it!!
Last edited by Edgy01; 06-30-2012 at 01:07 AM.
06-30-2012, 01:28 AM
#11
Three Wheelin'
I had my tips done for 60 dollars locally in the pacific northwest and just recently had my Rennline foldable toe hook and Rennline GoPro camera mount for the toe hook ceramic coated for 20 dollars (2 pieces). Looks great.
07-01-2012, 09:30 AM
#13
Looks great, I've been toying with this idea. I think I am going to pull the trigger.
07-01-2012, 02:16 PM
#14
Rennlist Member
Looks really nice. But, with the color of your car, you could have dipped them in dog poo and your car would still look great!
What color is that?