Make a donation

Author Topic: Ceramic coating of downpipe  (Read 14859 times)

Offline vRSAlex

  • Admin
  • Just look at my post count
  • *
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 39
  • -Receive: 253
  • Posts: 2761
    • Email
  • My Ride: http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,19941.0.html
Re: Ceramic coating of downpipe
« Reply #15 on: February 12, 2012, 07:45:04 pm »
Ceramic is far better than wrap and lasts forever unlike wrap which lasts a year at best before crumbling away.  Wrap allows water to become trapped between it and the pipe and over time the pipe rusts.

The ceramic keeps the hot exhaust gasses in the pipe which allows the gasses to travel faster while keeping the heat away from the rest of the engine bay.

Does the same job as wrap, but lasts and looks better.  Doesn't just come in white, but loads of different colours now.
www.akstuning.co.uk - info@akstuning.com - 01234 822324
Follow AKS tuning on Facebook

Offline Tfsi_Mike

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 241
  • -Receive: 309
  • Posts: 10222
  • Go Large or Go Home
    • Tfsi Mikes Money Pit AKS / TTE / RTech St2+ Cupra
  • My Ride: http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,32721.msg402587.html#msg402587
Re: Ceramic coating of downpipe
« Reply #16 on: February 12, 2012, 07:53:09 pm »
Ceramic is far better than wrap and lasts forever unlike wrap which lasts a year at best before crumbling away.  Wrap allows water to become trapped between it and the pipe and over time the pipe rusts.

The ceramic keeps the hot exhaust gasses in the pipe which allows the gasses to travel faster while keeping the heat away from the rest of the engine bay.

Does the same job as wrap, but lasts and looks better.  Doesn't just come in white, but loads of different colours now.

Alex, you use Zircotec?  cant remember.  Would it be more cost effective to coat the inside of the DP to keep the heat form escaping rather than wrap? £50 - £60 to wrap using good quality stuff


Offline vRS_Pagey

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 66
  • -Receive: 59
  • Posts: 1577
Re: Ceramic coating of downpipe
« Reply #17 on: February 12, 2012, 07:57:58 pm »
Sorry, sounds like complete nonsense. Any prove on this or at least a theory?

 :popcornsoda:
« Last Edit: February 12, 2012, 07:59:33 pm by vRS_Pagey »

His: MK2 Black Magic Skoda Octavia vRS Estate
Hers: MK5 Graphite Blue Pearl VW Golf GT140 -

http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,32783.0.html

Offline vRSAlex

  • Admin
  • Just look at my post count
  • *
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 39
  • -Receive: 253
  • Posts: 2761
    • Email
  • My Ride: http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,19941.0.html
Re: Ceramic coating of downpipe
« Reply #18 on: February 12, 2012, 08:27:46 pm »
Used to use a local place, but the white ceramic kept flaking off. The grey they do is fine but not rated as high on the temps so I use that on charge pipes and intakes.

Zircotec for manifolds and downpipes.  More expensive and longer turn around, but it lasts and they do more colours.

I would just go for the outside coating on a downpipe on our cars.  On the mega power stuff then do inside and out.
www.akstuning.co.uk - info@akstuning.com - 01234 822324
Follow AKS tuning on Facebook

Offline Tfsi_Mike

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 241
  • -Receive: 309
  • Posts: 10222
  • Go Large or Go Home
    • Tfsi Mikes Money Pit AKS / TTE / RTech St2+ Cupra
  • My Ride: http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,32721.msg402587.html#msg402587
Re: Ceramic coating of downpipe
« Reply #19 on: February 12, 2012, 08:33:56 pm »
Used to use a local place, but the white ceramic kept flaking off. The grey they do is fine but not rated as high on the temps so I use that on charge pipes and intakes.

Zircotec for manifolds and downpipes.  More expensive and longer turn around, but it lasts and they do more colours.

I would just go for the outside coating on a downpipe on our cars.  On the mega power stuff then do inside and out.

Thanks again mate, top man  :happy2:

Offline PDT

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 3
  • -Receive: 142
  • Posts: 2010
    • Email
Re: Ceramic coating of downpipe
« Reply #20 on: February 12, 2012, 09:12:32 pm »
Ceramic coating will improve gas flow as heat loss from exhaust gasses mean the gasses slow down.

Sorry, sounds like complete nonsense. Any prove on this or at least a theory?



Hotter gases are easier to force through the exhaust system than cool gases due to density. Ceramic coating keeps gasses hotter within the exhaust system helping to decrease exhaust density & increases exhaust flow.


Offline the bruce

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 322
  • -Receive: 100
  • Posts: 1591
    • my GTI
Re: Ceramic coating of downpipe
« Reply #21 on: February 12, 2012, 09:42:41 pm »
Hotter gases are easier to force through the exhaust system than cool gases due to density. Ceramic coating keeps gasses hotter within the exhaust system helping to decrease exhaust density & increases exhaust flow.

The opposite is true.  :wink:

Cooler gases have less volume, so they pass the exhaust system easier.
Hotter gases requiere larger diameter and cause increased back pressure.

Simply physics.  :innocent:


In the end only one aspect is really significient: taping the downpipe will
reduce thermal radiation to the engine bay and intake system and increase
power on prolongued full throttle.
"You get what you pay for."

Offline craigy123

  • Won't Shut up.
  • *****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 24
  • -Receive: 24
  • Posts: 774
    • Email
Re: Ceramic coating of downpipe
« Reply #22 on: February 12, 2012, 10:40:23 pm »
So why do high powered cars coat both inside and outside of the manifold/exhaust system??


PM for details

Offline PDT

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 3
  • -Receive: 142
  • Posts: 2010
    • Email
Re: Ceramic coating of downpipe
« Reply #23 on: February 12, 2012, 10:43:47 pm »
The Ex F1 technician and engine builder that I speak to 3-4 times a week must be wrong then. So must the guys at Zircotec and The authors of numerous books that cover the subject I.e 4 stroke tuning by A.G Bell.

Also the EFI university must be using incorrect information during their training seminars.


Offline vRSAlex

  • Admin
  • Just look at my post count
  • *
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 39
  • -Receive: 253
  • Posts: 2761
    • Email
  • My Ride: http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,19941.0.html
Re: Ceramic coating of downpipe
« Reply #24 on: February 12, 2012, 10:44:38 pm »
Hotter gases are less dense than cold gases so the hotter gasses travel faster.

http://www.cartuningtips.com/112-ceramic-exhaust-coatings
www.akstuning.co.uk - info@akstuning.com - 01234 822324
Follow AKS tuning on Facebook

Offline DaveB@Vagbremtechnic

  • Trader - 2014
  • Just look at my post count
  • *
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 2
  • -Receive: 130
  • Posts: 1315
    • Vagbremtechnic.com
    • Email
Re: Ceramic coating of downpipe
« Reply #25 on: February 12, 2012, 10:50:05 pm »
Google Boyles Law and Daniel Bernoulli

Same principal for dynamic passage of air over a wing creating lift CL=1/2 Rho V Squared, a smoother surface also creates a better boundary layer against the surface over which it passes = less drag = better breathing

Offline PDT

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 3
  • -Receive: 142
  • Posts: 2010
    • Email
Re: Ceramic coating of downpipe
« Reply #26 on: February 12, 2012, 10:54:22 pm »
Simple physics  :innocent:

Offline Janner_Sy

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 62
  • -Receive: 113
  • Posts: 5392
Re: Ceramic coating of downpipe
« Reply #27 on: February 12, 2012, 11:05:38 pm »
Ceramic is far better than wrap and lasts forever unlike wrap which lasts a year at best before crumbling away.  Wrap allows water to become trapped between it and the pipe and over time the pipe rusts.

 I agree ceramic is abetter option, but I really don't buy the rust issue.  The temperatures of the exhaust would dispose of sny water residue.

I did a lot of research into this as the 'rust' issue gets thrown around alot on the forums.  As it happens I found no truth or proof of it.  I actually found the opposite.  I found lots of images of guys who had their DPs wrapped for a couple+ years and the DP looked like new.

Offline Tfsi_Mike

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 241
  • -Receive: 309
  • Posts: 10222
  • Go Large or Go Home
    • Tfsi Mikes Money Pit AKS / TTE / RTech St2+ Cupra
  • My Ride: http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,32721.msg402587.html#msg402587
Re: Ceramic coating of downpipe
« Reply #28 on: February 12, 2012, 11:07:45 pm »
Ceramic is far better than wrap and lasts forever unlike wrap which lasts a year at best before crumbling away.  Wrap allows water to become trapped between it and the pipe and over time the pipe rusts.

 I agree ceramic is abetter option, but I really don't buy the rust issue.  The temperatures of the exhaust would dispose of sny water residue.

I did a lot of research into this as the 'rust' issue gets thrown around alot on the forums.  As it happens I found no truth or proof of it.  I actually found the opposite.  I found lots of images of guys who had their DPs wrapped for a couple+ years and the DP looked like new.

If it lasts a year ill be happy.  :happy2: The downpipe is like new now so we will see (eventually)

Offline craigy123

  • Won't Shut up.
  • *****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 24
  • -Receive: 24
  • Posts: 774
    • Email
Re: Ceramic coating of downpipe
« Reply #29 on: February 12, 2012, 11:20:11 pm »
What a wee debate.  :grin:

I think I'll get this done now. Satin black was what the price was quoted for. So I'll just go with that. No point in getting it any other colour really.

Cheers for the input from the pro's  :happy2:


PM for details