Chevy High Performance magazine

The February issue of Chevy H.P. has three separate articles on engine buildup and all three show or refer to coated pistons. The third story is on a Pro Stock Truck engine Built by John Lingenfelter.

These stories can be used to help potential customers see the need for coated pistons, and other parts. The story with John Lingenfelter is of special value as it points out how, in effect, the major engine builders are using coatings. If an engine builder wants to be first class and offer his customers the very best in technology, then he needs to be offering coated parts.

Not only John, Lingenfelter, but Roush Racing, Sonny Leonard, several performance Piston manufacturers and virtually every major race team is utilizing coatings. Get the message out and see an increase in this type of work.

Callies Performance Products

Callies is now offering a line of performance pistons. Callies has turned to Tech Line Coatings, inc., to supply the coatings for the pistons. This is in addition to the line of coated bearings they already offer, using our DFL1 lubricant. The pistons will be coated with a dry film lubricant on the skirts and our thermal barrier coating on the top. You can use this information to promote your coating service.

TLTD Test

In conjunction with Car Chemistry, Inc. TECH LINE COATINGS, INC. performed the following test on coated Oil pans. Both aluminum and steel pans were tested.

The uncoated pans were placed in an air stream and a heated test fluid was added. We then measured the temperature of the liquid at specific intervals, to determine the rate at which heat was transferred through the pan and into the moving air stream.

We then repeated the test using the same pans after being coated on the outside only with TLTD. The final figures showed a consistent 10% drop in temperature between the coated and uncoated pans. The percentage of thermal transfer would be higher at higher fluid temperatures.

Since the test fluid was not being circulated through an engine or heat source, the maximum temperature was not maintained and the percentage would drop as the fluid cooled. In addition the test fluid could not be heated to the temperature of oil in a normally operating engine. The percentage of temperature drop would have been greater at a higher oil temperature.

Tony Giles

SpeedTech Coatings, Azle, Texas

Tony has written a little information on the process they follow in preparing parts to be coated with Cermakrome.

: To elaborate on your news letter. I have had my share of chipped and polished thru parts, and I believe I have developed a workable process for my particular needs. Maybe these hints could help other new shops.

The parts first get test hung in my oven to make sure of the fit and arrangement. Used or oily parts stay in for an hour or so to burn out the oil and or fuel. Then off to the blast room. I now use, fine blast sand, it is much cheaper than aluminum oxide, and does just as good of a job if you have a good blaster. The places that seem to chip or polish thru are the narrow edges of parts such as the edge of header mounting flanges and the edges of intake manifolds. I pay extra attention to these areas with the blaster. I can't stress this enough, the parts MUST BE CLEAN, not pretty clean , but perfectly clean!!!!!

From this point on I handle all parts with latex (un powdered) surgical gloves. After blasting, blow the parts clean with high pressure to remove ALL blast media. I use lacquer thinner to wipe down the parts, and again this is very important if you don't want to work on this part again. The parts are dry and ready to apply the coating. For me, Cermakrome requires a speedy hand and a fine misting action to the point of a wet look , but at the same time not too thick. The thick places are prone to chipping. The parts should be completely dry, When you think they are dry, wait about 15 more minutes and then hang them in your oven and fire it up. My oven takes about 15 to 20 minutes to reach 500 degrees. I start my time from that point, and I cook for 1 hour and 20 minutes, to allow that the part reached a 1 hour cure time at 500. If possible have your polisher media soaped up and warm, stuff polishes quicker and nicer in a warm polisher. I generally toss a part or two in the polisher right out of the oven to help warm things up. Bottom line is parts preparation, clean, clean, clean, and you wont have to work on parts twice, and Believe me I have worked on a few twice, but not anymore!

Hope someone can use this information and good luck with your coating business.

Send e-mail to the editor: Leonard Warren