PRI Trade Show

If the Performance Racing Industry show just held Nov 29 through Dec 1, 2001 is any indication, next year should be a very good one for the coating industry. The traffic through our booth was up substantially over last year. The greatest interest was, as always, in the benefits of the header coatings. However the interest in internal engine coatings nearly matched that of the header coatings. We also saw a significant growth in the questions regarding brake coatings. One of the most interesting areas of significant interest was in wheel coatings to control tire temperatures.

Another success story

From Brad at
Finish Line High Performance Engine Coatings,
Salem, Ohio

I would like to relate the results one of my customers experienced. I put TLML on the skirt of a two stroke piston that turns between 800 - 12000 RPM for 2 to 3 hours at a time. The life of the piston increased by atb least one more race than they normally would have been able to run, using the same piston. Typically the piston and ring assembly is replaced every race. In addition the cylinder head temperature dropped from a normal 180f to 140f, after coating the piston dome with CBX. After two races the customer took the cylinder off and there were no marks on the skirts what so ever.

The specifics on this engine were supplied by JP Cycle in Lisbon Ohio and the coatings were applied by Brad.

How to prepare the inside of a header for coating

Normally when coating the I.D. of a header, only the area to the first bend and up the collector, are coated. These are the two most critical areas. Just beyond the port is where hot gas and particulate erosion occurs and at the collector is where most condensation forms, that could lead to corrosion. In an all out race application the benefits to be gained from a total I.D. coating are worth the cost. However, how do you etch the I.D. as sandblasting will not do the job around corners, without some very special equipment?

A simple I.D. sandpaper flapper role can be made. I have used this in the past with excellent results. It should only be used on new headers as used headers will have significant hydrocarbon residue that is very difficult to remove and will cause the coating to lose its bond.

Basically you can purchase a foam backed sandpaper pad at most paint stores. This is about 3" square and 1/2 thick. Cut a strip off about 3/4 wide and the length of the pad. Attach this to a piece of 1/4 diameter dowel also cut 3/4 long. Then drill a small hole that will allow you to insert the spiral wound sheath that is part of a universal choke kit, found at most auto parts stores, into the dowel. Slip a piece of rubber tubing over the wire to allow you to hold it. Insert the other end into a drill. Fold the sandpaper flag so that the abrasive side is out and insert the tool into a tube. Press the trigger on the drill and sand through the tube. You can hold it by the rubber sleeve and it will go around corners in almost all cases as you push it through. The foam backing will help keep the abrasive portion against the pipe, as will centrifugal forces as it spins.

Vibratory polishing of Cermakrome

Many shops would like to add a coating service to their operation. One of the concerns, if Cermakrome is one of the coatings to be applied, is the cost of a vibratory polisher. This piece of necessary equipment for polishing Cermakrome, as well as the cost of the special media, Micro Bright, is not cheap. However when looking at the cost to purchase the needed equipment and supplies over a 3 year period, which is typical for most leases or bank loans, for equipment, the cost is actually very minimal. Typically you will be able to make the required monthly payments by simply coating 2 to 3 sets of headers a month. That's all.

In addition you will be able to coat and polish parts that cannot be polished by hand, such as intake manifolds, in the vibrator easily. This expands the number and kind of parts you can coat. Of course it also expands your shop's profits.

Tech Line has negotiated discounts on the proper equipment and media for customers wishing to purchase the equipment. Simply call us when ready to buy or for information on the equipment. We will advise the manufacturer and media supplier that you are a Tech Line customer and they will extend the discount. You make the purchase direct with the manufacturer and supplier.

Coating Rod and Main Bearings

The proper way to prepare a bearing is to lightly sandblast using, 120 grit aluminum oxide or a similar hard sharp material. Using a suction type blast unit, etch the bearing at about 30 PSI. When properly done this will not damage the bearing surface. The, etch only opens the pores in the bearing surface, allowing the coating to bond into the bearing material. When properly done you can feel no roughness after blasting. Simply spray and bake.

In the past it was only necessary to buff the bearing with Scotch Bright or a similar material. However with improvements in bearing technology, there has been a change in the surface of the bearing and the above procedure is now necessary to achieve a proper bond.

Send e-mail to the editor: Leonard Warren