Parts & Process

SQI Performance Coating offers several coating options dependent upon the application. It is important that you know which coating is suitable to your application so an informed decision can be made to do the job correctly the first time. Below is a list of the most common engine parts and applicable processes.

• Header & Exhaust Manifold Coating

Exterior & Interior Coating – SQI Performance Coating applies both exterior and interior coatings to headers and manifolds. We do not offer exterior only coating of these parts since internal rusting will occur if the interior surface is not coated. The interior coating also assists in maintaining the heat inside the exhaust system to improve exhaust flow and add horsepower. All quoted prices for headers and manifolds include interior and exterior coating.

Exterior Base Insulating Coating – This application of this coating is applied to the exterior of the engine part before the Ceramic coating is applied. The benefit of the base insulting coating includes raising the heat level capabilities of the ceramic coating. This coating yields an additional 200 to 300 degrees above the standard Ceramic coating’s stated heat-reducing capabilities. This additional protection is not normally required on standard aspirated engines. Engines running superchargers, turbochargers, or NOS should consider this extra heat protection.

Clear Glossy Topcoat – This coating is a clear finish that can be applied over the WBX (black) or the WBLX (blue) ceramic coating to give it a glossy appearance. This coating maintains a “clear” finish to exhaust gas temperatures in excess of 1400F.

• Piston Coating

Face Only – The standard piston coating is a ceramic coating, which is applied to the face of the piston only. All other surfaces will be masked.

Face & Skirt – If this option is chosen, a ceramic coating will be applied to the face and a dry-film lubricant can be applied to the skirt area of the piston. SQI Performance Coating’s standard policy is to mask the ring area of the piston and apply no dry film lubricant in this area.

Another option is to apply the dry-film lubricant to the ring area of the piston. This can prevent seizing of the rings onto the piston. If you require that the dry film lubricant be applied in the ring seat area of the piston, please indicate this with your order. There is an additional $3.00 charge per piston for this service.

Face, Skirt Area & Underside – If this option is chosen, a ceramic coating will be applied to the face, a dry film lubricant to the skirt and a thermal dispersant (oil shedding) coating to the underneath.

Coating the piston’s underneath enhances the cooling of the piston and lowers the oil temperature. Heat transfers most rapidly when there is a large difference in temperature between the piston and the oil. Therefore, the longer the oil clings to a hot surface the hotter the oil becomes. By shedding the cooling oil more rapidly (via the thermal dispersant), cooler oil is splashed over the surface more frequently.

• Valve Coating

Face Only – If this option is chosen, a ceramic coating will be applied to the face only.

Stem – If this option is chosen, a dry film lubricant will be applied to the seat and stem areas.

Face & Stem – If this option is chosen, a ceramic coating will be applied to the valve face and a dry film lubricant will be applied to the seat and stem areas.

• Intake Manifold Coating

Bottom Barrier Only – If this option is chosen the bottom side of the manifold and the bottom flanges are coated with a thermal barrier coating. This coating prevents the engine heat from entering from the bottom, which allows cooler air to enter the engine through the manifold which increases horsepower. Typically, a normally aspirated engine will see a 1% improvement in power for every 10 degrees drop in the carburetor air inlet temperature. A turbo-charged engine will see a 2% increase.

• Oil Pan Coating

Inside Only – If this option is chosen, the inside of the oil pan is coated with a oil shedding, thermal dispersant coating. This allows the oil to return to the sump quicker and provides quicker heat transfer through the pan to the surrounding outside air. This improves the oil pans cooling ability.

Inside and Outside – If this option is chosen, the inside and the outside of the oil pan will be coated with a oil shedding, thermal dispersant coating. The thermal dispersant on the outside of the pan will allow faster heat transfer through the oil pan to the surrounding outside air.