Best way to remove Header coating?
 

Got a set of headers that needs some repair work done. Anybody know the best way to remove header coating? Sand blasting? Chemical?

Re: Best way to remove Header coating?
 

I would stay away from actual sand blasting. I used a local gentleman who soda blasted off the coating, it did not cause any pitting to the base metal

Re: Best way to remove Header coating?
 

Thanks David.
It might be smarter for me just to sand down the area where the repair needs to be done and then send them off to have them re-coated after repaired.

Re: Best way to remove Header coating?
 

It depends on who coated them and with what. NitroPlate uses a two step process, maybe they'll share the secret.

Re: Best way to remove Header coating?
 

Terry,

The ONLY way to completely remove the coating without damaging the parts is to soak the parts in Sodium Hydroxide heated to approximatley 150 degrees. This is something you do not want to try at home. After the coating is broken down by soaking, it has to be rinsed in clean water and dried. Then, the blast process can be done. An aggesive media has to be used to give the part some "tooth" for proper adhesion. Glass bead and soda blast is not ebough.

It's not really a trade secret, but there is not that many people (companies) that can do this process.

When I receive previously coated headers, this step is always performed before I recoat.

It can be blasted off, but it will take a long time to COMPLETELY remove the coating.

Chris Avaritt
Nitroplate