PLASMA VS LIQUID COATINGS

Several companies offer to apply plasma or flame sprayed coatings to exhaust systems. Typically these will be some form of a Zirconia Ceramic, though they can be metallic as well. The claim is made that these are superior to “other” liquid types of coatings. The “Other” types are generally referred to as primarily being cosmetic. Is this true?

When compared thickness for thicknes, no significant difference is observed. When compared by the cost, liquid coatings are much more affordable. In one current AD, by a well known Coating Company who promotes Plasma Sprayed coatings, the AD refers to a 3% to 5% gain in power. Significantly this is in line with our experience with the liquid type coatings we manufacture. In reality H.P. gains will vary considerably depending on a variety of factors. Keeping heat in will accelerate exhaust gas velocity and improve engine efficiency and power. In addition reduced under hood temperatures can increase H.P., by reducing the temperature of the intake charge. Gains of as much as 25 H.P. have been seen.

When you factor in the lower cost, better looks and the proximity of shops applying Tech Line products, it makes good sense to make use of the advanced liquid coating technology available. Not to mention the cost savings available from the coatings we sell that can be applied by the average enthusiast at home.

It should also be considered that for increases in thermal barrier efficiency two basic approaches exist. One is to simply apply a thicker coating. This not only increases cost but weight as well. By using two different liquid coatings, comparable gains can be made, while using a thinner overall coating. This occurs because heat has a tendency to slow when passing through dissimilar materials. An example will be a base coat of HHBK followed by a top coat of BHK. This is more efficient than a comparable coating thickness of just a single material.

An example of the efficiency of our coatings is seen in an independent test run by Competition Cams. They coated one header only on a BB Chevy. The coated side and the uncoated side were both instrumented. The surface temperatures were reduced approximately 300f and in fact the comment made by the technicians was, that just after a dyno pull you could grab the coated header with your hand and not get burned. The radiated heat measured 1 inch away from the coated header was a maximum of 80F and the uncoated side showed 200F. Exhaust gas temperatures were over 1500F.

Good Looks, Efficiency, Cost Savings and Less Weight. Sound good?

COATING COMPARRISONS

We are frequently asked how our coatings compare to other types of coating technology such as Anodizing, Vapor Deposition, Ion Impingement, Cryogenic Treatments, Vacuum Deposition, Plasma Spraying and a few others. In most cases the cost of having the more “exotic” coatings applied is significantly higher than using our standard materials, with no significant gain in either wear, power or friction reduction, except in very specific cases. In some cases the treatments are not actually competitive, but actually compatible and complimentary. We will be providing a list of the more common treatments available with a general comparison of their features, costs and benefits in a printed form shortly. If interested please let us know and a copy will be emailed to you as soon as it is available. When available it will also be posted on the web site, as well as included in that Month’s Newsletter.

Handling the NEW CermaSeal™
and CilGen™ coatings

IMMEDIATELY after applying the coating it is critical to clean the spray equipment. If allowed to sit for more than a few minutes at temperatures above 60f, the coating will begin to cure/harden in the spray unit and may not be removable after that. These coatings will air cure ONLY at temperatures above 65F. If an accelerated cure schedule is desired a minimum of 200f for 1 hour will cure the coatings. If below 65F they must be oven cured and cannot stand un-cured for an extended time or the cure temperature must be a minimum of 500F.

When doing two or more coats, which provides the best finish, it is necessary to cure between coats. DO NOT lay wet on wet coats.

Why it appears that dry film lubricants “GO AWAY”?

It is not uncommon to hear someone say that the dry film coating has worn off. This is actually a normal process and is NOT indicative of the loss of any functional material. The active lubricative ingredients are extremely small. These lubricants are impregnated into the pores, of the part due to the initial etch required to open the pores and the binding action of the resin. The coating remains fully functional even when virtually invisible.

For those shops who have concerned customers, it is possible to apply a layer of our TLMB, flash at 200f for 10 minutes and then when the part is cool apply a coat of TLML. The TLMB is very durable and the TLML provides additional friction and wear reduction. In Independent testing the dual coat has shown greater power gains than the hard coatings applied by “others”. A “durable” to the eye coating will not show the same friction reduction characteristics as our TLML, DFL-1 or CermaLube. If cosmetics are of a concern use the dual coating.

DON’T FORGET OUR NEW AREA CODE IS (951)

Send e-mail to the editor: Leonard Warren