SONICJK said:Use a rubber hammer?
SONICJK said:Any good paint should hold up to a rubber hammer just fine.
The rattle can options from VHT should hold up.
Personally I prefer high temp powder or ceramic because its real tough getting the chrome on stock pipes to hold paint for very long in my experience. But If you do go that route just make sure to thoroughly scuff up the surface.
AlphaDogChoppers said:You should make it fit, not force it. Header flanges sometimes have a little distortion where the seam is welded. Use a file to knock the high spots down where the interference happens. Forcing on a part that doesn't fit is simply shoddy work.
AgentX said:It's an interference fit; it needs to be hammered in and out. (edit: That is, interference is the only thing retaining the pipe in the head--it simply shoves in. There's no flange, no clamp, etc.) Or am I missing something?
AlphaDogChoppers said:Never heard of an exhaust with no clamp or flange. What bike/engine is it?
Regarding stripping chrome, oven cleaner won't touch it. I use oven cleaner to clean melted boot sole and raingear from chrome pipes. To apply any coating to a chrome pipe, the surface needs some "tooth." Sandblasting is the best way to prep exhaust pipes, and it's what I do, because I can. (I sandblast everyfuckingthing!) You can also use sandpaper, like 1" wide emery strips. It's a lot more work, and has never worked quite as well for me.