Myth Busted - The Real Truth About Header Wraps 

Oops i accidentally used BBQ sauce under my wraps, smells great tho!

Thanks for sharing. I wrapped my thunderheaders years ago for a couple of reasons. One, got tired of occasionally having to adjust the shields to stop the rattling/squeeking noises that would eventually occur. Two, liked the look of the wrap. Glad to hear that it helps with performance be it minimal. I was unsure if wrapping them would help or hurt with cooling of the engine but after one ride without shields or wrap was intolerable it was obvious to go with the wrap. I felt, but couldn't prove, that radiated heat to the engine would be reduced if pipes were wrapped. Shields only protected the rider's legs from heat, not the engine. I appreciate your videos.

Finally a video that I can relate to! I made my own exhaust with homemade baffles for my RK,2 into 2 shorty drag pipes. Sounds a lot like my old iron head with homemade drags,a nice distinguishable sound, if a little loud. Love the wrap I put on mine,but I’ve set a couple of pairs of jeans on fire sitting in traffic because the pipes get so hot (have to make some nice aluminium heat shields for it). Btw,I’ve always loved jockey shift,so having arthritis in both hands,I made my own jockey set up,but have a hand clutch also. Kicking in the pedal then grabbing the lever makes it much easier for me to pull,and in an emergency situation,I can put my foot down. Not a pretty set up,but no failure after 4 years.

Finally a clear , precise Video on what I'm looking for answers on, THANKS!

This is a wonderful video with some great info, but what I liked the most was seeing that you have responded to almost every question in the comments. Its kind of rare to see someone be so kind and helpful to their viewers. So I just wanted to wish you luck, and I hope to see you continue to make these awesome vids.

I wrapped with the DEI Titanium wrap over the heat shields on my 2009 Sporty. I kept melting little bits of my boot on the Short Shot heat shields with my mid controls. I love the color/look and now I don't melt my boot!

I just installed Cobra power port front pipes on my 2023 trike. I used the wrap under the heat shield. I have wrap on my 2003 Honda VTX1800 for 20 years now and it is still like the day that I installed it.

I think I'll coat the pipes, wrap it and then use a water resistant coating on the wrap. I'm going through RU-vid learning the wrapping process. Sure glad this video came up. Thank you 🙏

All good points. And I didn't know that I could fit the wrap under my pipe covers. Titanium wrap on my list now.

Thanks for taking the time to explain about the exhaust wrap and why it used.

good video. the rust issue also depends on the exhaust pipe material. if its a good stainless pipe, it wont rust as easily as a metal pipe.

Great video Sir with 100% truth!! Had a 5.0 Foxbody and used cool- it exhaust wrap on a set of new long tube headers and they where on there for the 8+ years I had it before I sold it(Stupist damn thing I ever done, Damn do I miss that car!!) Going on 12 years since I sold it, seen the gentleman I sold it to last year and he's still has it and was talking to me about how great that header wrap is and still looks like it was just put on there. Believe, if I'm not mistaken, it took me 6 to 8 hours to let it soak and then wrap each tube to get it extreamly has tight as I could and look like it was on each tube before they welded them together at the factory. And yeah it made a huge difference under the hood at keeping the temperature down. Again great Informative video Sir!

Very informative as I have been reading up and already purchased the wrap. You absolutely cleared up a few facts for me. Many Thanks

You answered my questions perfectly. Thank you. I’m going to put the wrap on my 2011 super glide with Vance and Hines

I got a 2016 FXDLS that came with that wrap on a Bassani Road Rage 3 stainless. I removed it the other day, and it definitely messed the pipes up, rust spots everywhere, just solid spotted rust. I am restoring it now with scotch brite. But I got it used, the exhaust now looks brand new again

always wrap towards headers bottom up then its seam protected towards the direction of travel less chance of water ingress as you ride along in wet hi from londonderry northern ireland like your common sense approach

Caterpillar sells flat black exhaust spray cans that is way better than bbq paint. Oh and super respect to you. !

Good day from Toronto : I watched the video and liked it very much . Splendid demonstration . I was not aware that keeping the heat inside the pipe would cause the gases to flow faster . I came from along career in the military turbine engine business . Seeing titanium every day was a regular thing for me . I think the steel supplier industry sells titanium cheap if you buy lots and lots . I'm use to seeing titanium bar stock 12 feet long , 4 inches wide and 7/8 inch think . One piece of that cut into a short 6 inch long bar makes a regular block that would be made into one turbine blade . If you think of that block size , it would cost about $110.0 Can . Twice I have seen other industries grossly over charging for parts made of titanium . There still is an odd old belief that titanium comes from outer space or something like that , and therefore the high cost . I still roll my eyes and gasp at those people . Any how , very good video ! Have good one .

thanks for the tip,im wraping a 96 jeep xj. this jeep has real issues of heat and this is going to help thanks

Your pipes havnt rusted because you put that high temp paint on before wrapping it. Your bare metal isnt exposed. You can also use hi temp paint like you did, then wrap it, then another coat of hi temp paint over the wrap and all.

Thanks a lot for the info in this video! I have a 2005 Heritage Softail Classic, and the number 2 exhaust pipe burns holes in my motorcycle pants whenever I come to a stop and put my feet down. I'll definitely try putting some of this titanium tape under the heat shields on my pipes. Hopefully this will work. Thanks again for all your help for videos.

So, true dualed my evo. I put the standard dei header wrap on it. Frist, cleaned the crap out of the original pipes, fitted the trur dual pieces, got everything, where I wanted it. Spray painted them with some rather expensive high heat coating, baked them, used the rest of the spray on coating, and baked them again. Seriously though of putting them on then, they looked really good. But, since I already had the wrap, I went for it. I did, wet it as I installed, kept it really tight and even, then learned how to use the clamps for the wrap, with the tool for the clamps. Baked them dry slowly, then gave them two days to settle. Then, I used the coating, for the header wrap, let it dry, recoated twice more. Did this like 2 years ago, put lots of miles on it and haven't had any issues. Take your time doing it and it will last. Put them on the bike, put the heat shields on, installed some V/H full flow slipons, a much better air cleaner, did the rejetting on my carb(mikuni), and haven't looked back. I love my reversion sound, as I drop off the throttle. LOL.

I put this wrap on an istunt exhaust on my Grom. Looks really good. Especially in the sun.

This might be just what I need. I have a 2012 road glide with cobra headers and slip ons. It's tuned. But damn it's hot under my right thigh and knee...to the point where half the time I don't wanna ride out of comfort.

Just what I needed to hear. Quick one, I might go with soft side bags on my Yamaha FJR. I'll wrap the mufflers that will be directly below the soft bags. Will this prevent enough muffler heat from baking the soft bags after I come to a stop? Thank you.

Thanks that helped make up my mind I have a 65 GTO and they are notorius for baking the starter and solenoid and I have headers it gets hot in the cab so Im hoping this will help

Excellent! I just watched your vid on lowering heat while riding. Add Ti heat wrap... ☑

What he says about thermal wrap making exhaust gasses flow out of the exhaust faster are not exactly true. In terms of the volume of gas flowing through the pipe, yes, the hotter the gas, the more volume it takes up. In this way you force the engine to pump out a greater volume of gas. That's not necessarily helpful, and in fact can create backpressure, which is not a good thing (although there are things that create back pressure that also help optimize wave pulses within the headers for greater volumetric efficiency at lower RPM, ergo better peak torque in most cases). By allowing the pipes to radiate as much heat as possible, the gasses inside cool. What this means is that at a given cubic foot per minute flow rate, that actual MASS of exhaust gasses flowing out of the exhaust is greater (because the gas is more dense) - this is technically what we care about. But thicker fluids/gasses are more viscous also and there's frictional losses against the ID of the pipe, so there's some backpressure creation there too. There's a give and take. Basically, the degree to which wrap effects any of this is so tiny as to be nearly irrelevant to performance. Unless you have a turbocharged bike (in which case I would wrap my exhaust manifold before the turbine and leave it unwrapped after), none of this matters all that much for performance.

Thankyou so much for this information...you answered every question I've been wondering.... Great, to the point explanation.

I will say I wrapped mine in 2012 with the Fiberglass wrap. And 3.5 years ago I parked her in my driveway without a cover she sat for that long with put running not once. Cut the wrap off and her pipes don't have the first bit of rust on them. 🤘

Thanks for some clarification. Yours looks great and thanks for dispelling some.of the myths about these wraps. I am thinking of going this route to consolidate heat as a heat shield would. How much heat do you think this keeps.from radiating outward?

In ny I been using bbq paint on all the exhaust I install to help maybe it last a week longer it actually works better than I expected

this is the info i was looking for! nice video well explained. thank you sir.

If you don't ride for a couple of weeks you deserve rusty pipes 🤣👍🖖

What keeps the heat from radiating out more ... wrap or shields ? Thank you for your generous consideration, Sincerely .................

I just did a pipe wrap on my 06 Polaris sportsman 800 it gets hot even at night the wrap should definitely help.

I had titanium wrap on my Softail for a couple of years it got ragged on the side going into to wind. I really liked the way it controlled the heat, but it didn't seem to last. I ride about 7,000 miles a year. I'd wrap my pipes again if I could figure out how to make the wrap last. I don't have other heat shields to put on top to help block the wind.

Why do you think motorcross race bikes don’t wrap their pipes? I’ve Titanium wrapped 3 separate 450cc motocross bike exhaust pipes and ran them for as long as 3 years with zero detectable harm to the pipes. Just wash it often and run the Ike or a minute after to dry it.

Ceramic coated my exhaust before i wrapped them. Hopefully that will prevent the rust

Thank you! I've been debating whether to wrap my new pipes before installing them. Do suggest leaving all one peice when going to a 2-1? Thanks

new rider here. can you put wrap to an exhaust with brackets on them? the brackets look bulgy

Like it. Well said people who are thinking about doing it..

Thanks for the video! I'm getting ready to wrap my pipes becouse they are rusty plus the added bonus of not burning my legs is good. My question- Aprox. What length do you use for a V twin harley pipe? I know the front is a little longer. Thank you!

Yes!! Finally iv been telling people about why wraps are good! It does my hart good to see your videos!

Man,you made me go google a couple of things; Titanium,you say ? isn't that just plain old fiberglass,titanium *color* ---the thermal conductivity of titanium is 19 W/mºC and stainless steel's is 16 So you see that titanium does not insulate,it is a metal, why would they put it in there; but,what do i know? i may be wrong.

How about using wrap over top of stainless flex pipe. 5 inch diameter flex. Turbo down pipe, flex transition, then more hard pipe. How will it handle the movement that the flex has to endure?

Is there any chance it causes any problems with the computer of the bike? Definitely want to wrap my pipes.

Been thinking about wraps after burning my knee and pants twice in a short time after i changed exhaust over to drag pipes without heat shields. Those buggers get pretty damn hot!

Don't know if you mentioned it but , does using high temp silicone spray (applied correctly) help or not necessary ?? Thanks for your generous consideration, Sincerely .......................

Help please! I just learned about exhaust heat and pants not mixing very well together when it comes to my safety.. I watched your video an now I'm pretty sure, I gotta get my exhaust wrapped. I've got stainless steel chrome pipes and ready to order some wrap but can't figure out how wide the wrap should be. I see widths of: 15mm, 25mm, 50mm and 75mm and more. How much is wide enough?

Did you have to prep the pipes before applying the wraps?

What are your thoughts on wrapping over the heat shields? Or would you recommend wrapping the bare pipe. My heat shields are pretty weathered so looking at ways to improve the look. My main concern is felt heat so wasn’t sure if wrapping the bare pipe would be too hot.

Thanks, I appreciate that information.

What's the difference between glass thread and titanium, like I want to wrap the exaust and I ordered a glass thread but I'm scared that will damage the exaust as I have seen many reviews on glass thread wraps. Do I have to consider for titanium or these glass thread will do?

That was some awesome information!

is there any gain with a stock header with the cat still in it ?

Would you recommend doing this to the entire exhaust or just locally on a car? I have a C7 Z06 which has the exhaust go around the transmission in the back of the car, radiating heat which is one of the main issues with the car overheating on the track.

Great video on using the wrap! Thanks

I'm partial to black. But I really like the titanium look of the wrap. Good video man. Thank you Sir.

Can you put the wrap on pipes that already have mileage on them? Or does it have to be applied to new pipes?

I had someone tell me that if I put exhaust wraps on my bike that the heat being trapped in the pipes will cause the motor to run hotter, and may even melt the factory wire harness, knock sensor wires/switches, and cause all kinds of problems with shorts, and alternator issues. I have a 2009 Honda ST1300 (Sport Touring). Is this accurate?

I have a high pipe scrambler that I want to take for a week long desert ride. Could the pipes get too hot due to the wrap??? Are there any downsides to wrapping? Thank you!

This vid is 3 years old. Hopefully I can find an answer. Have a ( I know not a bike) but put an aftermarket dmc exhaust on my Polaris razor 900 xp. I didn't know about wetting it or silicone,I wrapped it and started it and it started smoking on one side closest to the head. It's duel exhaust down both sides now. Wasn't with stock . Can anyone please help this lady on what to do? Or why even it would smoke. I live in a small town in az. Any shop here won't help me with bringing it in to look they say. I can't imagine the price of that for just an answer or help with what to do Anyone know ,?

Is it true that the wrap reduces exhaust noise? I hope not

What are your thoughts on wrapping the muffler, along with the exhaust on a 98 Shadow vt750? Also, I have the wrap, but they (the company) suggest soaking in water prior to insulation. Thank you

Very knowledgeable video.👍 Just scored myself a set of headers for my car and wondering to use exhaust wrapping.

been wrapping my headers for quite a while. when done right as yall have proven it lasts. and titanium is the way to go. yass umm!

Bought a set of Ultima 2" staggered drag pipes for my 2016 dyna wide glide. Would wrapping them with titanium exhaust wrap as you've demonstrated here and adding monster baffles as well, help with the exhaust back pressure and still keep my power in mid range do you think?

I'll save this video and probably install the wraps on my cbr300.

hey! I was hopping you could answer a fiew questions about heat wrapping? I'm about to wrap my yamaha virago's original pipes and I was wondering how hard is it to remove heat wrap, and is there a chance it will damage the chrome finish and if so how can I prevent it? I'm going to use the regular black heat wrap. Thank you in advance, and cheers for the video =D

Hi ,can they also be used on Ducati monster?any other products in addition to these you can recommend for my bike, will try anything.Ty

Ok so I have a question because I'm curious about everything to do with bikes. How does wrapping the header pipes give you more performance?

‘21 Tri Glide owner with 10K miles looking to reduce felt heat. Any benefit to wrapping just the cat? ( Reluctant wrencher.)

2019 HD Ultra Ltd, 114ci. I'm installing aftermarket headers and wanted to wrap them to reduce felt heat for my wife/passenger. I ordered the wrap from you guys. Will chrome headers make a difference for the wrap? Ive ordered from yall several times always good service and gear. Thanks in advance.

Looking for ideas to keep from getting burnt on the exhaust pipes. Would hate to lose the shiny chrome from wrapping. Flexible heat sheilds clamped and leg sheilds considered. Would the clamps damage my chrome pipes?

Going to be wild!!!

Kevin what about the heat shield liners

What about having the exhaust pipes ceramic coated?

Dude, forget the wrap. I love your beard.

Where does one find this titanium wrap?, and cost?

Would wrapping my 22 Triumph Bonneville be ok?

thank you for this information

Thanks man! I got black vnh black pipe. Can i just wrap it as it is. Or i need to coat 1st or something.

Thanks for the video. I’m about to do the same thing to my pipes. After using the paint, did you heat them first to cure it and then wrap them? I have the pipes off the bike right now getting them ready for paint. Thanks!

I would think, if you park it wet, the heat from the pipe would evaporate the water.

a bit extra performance means a bit more gas....not making it more efficient?

Hello mate would it make the exhaust pipe vibrate less

i have a 2002 electra glide classic with true duels how much or long of wrap do i need?

Sir, is it required to paint the exhaust first before wrapping?

They just say don't put on titanium exhaust piping

can i wrap my heat shields and pipes as one?

Does it change the sound?

Is that 1" or 2" wide wrap ? Thx

More layers, the better ?

Do you have any feedback on the black titanium heat wrap, as far as color fading? I'm thinking of wrapping the head pipes on my 2018 Roadster that is mostly black.

I know you said you don't need to get the titanium wet is it better if you do?

When wrapping a 2-1 pipe do you start at the end and work your way to the header? Or do you wrap from header down? Thank you!

How do you feel about a high temp silicone under or over the wrap?

If HD had somebody like ^ this guy working for them they'd be in a helluva lot better shape.

Good job man!