Header Coating

Jeff Jewell · 10-29-2020, 11:12 AM

I'm having a new set of headers built this winter and I'm going to try nickel plating. Looks promising on some headers that I've seen. I believe it can only be done on new headers. Billy Nees can speak more on the specifics.

Billy Nees · 10-29-2020, 03:24 PM

Well, I sent Brad a PM explaining this but since Jeff has brought it up I guess that I should fill everybody in.
The process is called Electroless Nickel Plating and I was turned on to it by Greg Stump of ACP Headers (the old Stahl). From what I've seen, it is primarily used on huge valves and pipes that are used in underground water projects. It coats the inside and outside of the pipe through a dipping process that actually gets into the micro-cracks in the tubing. So far, all of my customers (me? customers? how about buds) have been very satisfied.
I use a company that is somewhat local to me, whose name I can't remember right now, and have always been given prompt and courteous service.
In Brad's case, I would suggest looking locally for a vendor. I know just from googleing "electroless nickel plating" I have found 3 other places close to me that offer this process. The vendor that I'm dealing with will only do silver but there are others out there who offer the process in black also.
Just one more thing, GET AN ESTIMATE! Pricewise, it's + or - competitive with ceramic coatings but I have had some surprises when it comes to pricing because of the market price and amount of nickel used. The headers that I have had done so far have been done with a .003 coating and they're great. The vendor told me that he could go as thin as .0015 and really drop the price but he doesn't know how it would hold up. The next set that I do for myself I'm going to have done at .0015.
Oh, because of the need for the part to be very clean, the vendor who I use will only do NEW headers.

Bpozzi · 10-29-2020, 08:58 PM

Hey Brad - jet hot is one of the originators of the header coatings. They put out a great product and have an amazing warranty on the work. If you want to send me a PM I can put you in contact with someone there to give you a substantial deal.

Jim Caughlin · 10-30-2020, 11:41 AM

As a header fabricator, I regularly use Finishline Coating in Portland Oregon. They are local to me so I just drop them off but I know they have header customers that ship in and out. No issues with their price and quality.

Jim Caughlin
SS6019

10-29-2020, 11:12 AM	#1
Jeff Jewell Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Bangor, PA Posts: 182 Likes: 41 Liked 171 Times in 36 Posts	Re: Header Coating I'm having a new set of headers built this winter and I'm going to try nickel plating. Looks promising on some headers that I've seen. I believe it can only be done on new headers. Billy Nees can speak more on the specifics.

10-29-2020, 03:24 PM	#2
Billy Nees VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: On a hilltop in Pa. Posts: 4,496 Likes: 3,600 Liked 7,751 Times in 1,741 Posts	Re: Header Coating Well, I sent Brad a PM explaining this but since Jeff has brought it up I guess that I should fill everybody in. The process is called Electroless Nickel Plating and I was turned on to it by Greg Stump of ACP Headers (the old Stahl). From what I've seen, it is primarily used on huge valves and pipes that are used in underground water projects. It coats the inside and outside of the pipe through a dipping process that actually gets into the micro-cracks in the tubing. So far, all of my customers (me? customers? how about buds) have been very satisfied. I use a company that is somewhat local to me, whose name I can't remember right now, and have always been given prompt and courteous service. In Brad's case, I would suggest looking locally for a vendor. I know just from googleing "electroless nickel plating" I have found 3 other places close to me that offer this process. The vendor that I'm dealing with will only do silver but there are others out there who offer the process in black also. Just one more thing, GET AN ESTIMATE! Pricewise, it's + or - competitive with ceramic coatings but I have had some surprises when it comes to pricing because of the market price and amount of nickel used. The headers that I have had done so far have been done with a .003 coating and they're great. The vendor told me that he could go as thin as .0015 and really drop the price but he doesn't know how it would hold up. The next set that I do for myself I'm going to have done at .0015. Oh, because of the need for the part to be very clean, the vendor who I use will only do NEW headers. __________________ Billy Nees 1188 STK, SS I'm not spending 100K to win 2K Last edited by Billy Nees; 10-29-2020 at 03:26 PM.

10-29-2020, 08:58 PM	#3
Bpozzi Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 92 Likes: 13 Liked 120 Times in 21 Posts	Re: Header Coating Hey Brad - jet hot is one of the originators of the header coatings. They put out a great product and have an amazing warranty on the work. If you want to send me a PM I can put you in contact with someone there to give you a substantial deal. __________________ 296B AA/SA 296B FGT/G

10-30-2020, 11:41 AM	#4
Jim Caughlin Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Woodburn, Or Posts: 685 Likes: 82 Liked 805 Times in 245 Posts	Re: Header Coating As a header fabricator, I regularly use Finishline Coating in Portland Oregon. They are local to me so I just drop them off but I know they have header customers that ship in and out. No issues with their price and quality. Jim Caughlin SS6019

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