Author Topic: How to heat wrap?? (Read 3937 times)

VenomWRX · « **on:** July 10, 2009, 05:39:04 pm »

hey just wondering if any one can tell me the proper way to heat wrap my downpipe and turbo. I bought a kit from mopac that has the heat wrap roll for the downpipe and the heat wrap and blanket for the turbo. I noticed the kit only came with some metal straps. I was reading that some people were talking about letting it dry after you put the wrap on and then spraying on a silicon sealant. So i'm not sure if i'm supposed to wet the wrap first or apply some sort of spray or something, or just wrap it dry and put the straps on to hold it. Any info would be great.

Thanks

Chad

snackers · « **Reply #1 on:** July 10, 2009, 05:51:26 pm »

Hopefully this helps

Quote from: TWRC on January 20, 2009, 08:26:48 am

I've mentioned this before in a few other posts but when you are in the process of heat wrapping, make sure you soak the heck out of the heat wrap in water. I let mine soak in a bucket for about 10 mins before I started wrapping. This will help you get the tightest wraps and will also help aid the curing process.

Make sure you clamp down your first wrap so that you have some grip to make the rest of your wrap as tight as possible. Having soaked the wrap will help expand the fibres so make sure you pull as hard as you can with every revolution. Once you're complete, tie everything down with hose clamps or stainless steel zip ties (whatever your preference) and let the exhaust dry for a couple of days. I know what you're thinking: "two whole days without my new toy?", but you have to make sure that the wrap is *completely* dry. Once that's done get some of the trusty high temp silicone sealer spray from Mopac and spray a few coats onto your wrap and let dry for at least 24 hours before install.

A few other things to note is that after everything is on the car and you've been running it, your car will start smoking like crazy. This is normal. The smell isn't pretty too but it will all eventually go away. Car washes are fun too because once that wrap gets wet, it starts smoking. I had my install done in August or so and my car stopped smoking after car washes in November / December (just to give you an idea).

Of course it took quite some time to get to the point of no smoke and weird smells, but the smoking can be quite embarrassing when you're at a light and people are trying to tell you that your car is on fire, meanwhile you know that everything is fine and pretend to ignore them.

mtn05 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 10, 2009, 05:56:02 pm »

Quote from: VenomWRX on July 10, 2009, 05:39:04 pm

hey just wondering if any one can tell me the proper way to heat wrap my downpipe and turbo. I bought a kit from mopac that has the heat wrap roll for the downpipe and the heat wrap and blanket for the turbo. I noticed the kit only came with some metal straps. I was reading that some people were talking about letting it dry after you put the wrap on and then spraying on a silicon sealant. So i'm not sure if i'm supposed to wet the wrap first or apply some sort of spray or something, or just wrap it dry and put the straps on to hold it. Any info would be great.

Thanks

Chad

*--edit "Dammit, snackers beat me to it!!" --* Mods, feel free to delete my post if there is too much overlap.
Hey Chad,
Here's a general step-by-step guide for wrapping your exhaust.

1- Soak the entire roll of wrap (or rolls) in some lukewarm water for about 5 minutes.

2- Start at one end of the DP, usually the turbo connection, and do one full wrap.

3- Continue down the DP or exhaust piece, overlapping the wraps by about 2cm.

4- It is important to keep the heat wrap as tight as you can, which can be tough when it's wet.

5- Once you've finished the piece, and trimmed the wrap, then apply the metal clips tightly, and let the piece dry.

6- After drying, the silicone spray is optional, but it adds a bit of heat retention, and protects the wrap.

(Headers are tougher, and it helps to have someone helping you, but the steps are virtually the same.)

Hope this helps! Good luck.

-M.

VenomWRX · « **Reply #3 on:** July 10, 2009, 06:01:48 pm »

is there a faster way of drying it?

mtn05 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 10, 2009, 06:05:09 pm »

Quote from: VenomWRX on July 10, 2009, 06:01:48 pm

is there a faster way of drying it?

I don't think 2 days is necessary, just overnight or a day should be fine. If there is any moisture left, you'll boil it out once you start driving!

The smoke and weird smell is something you cannot avoid, however, so be forewarned and leave the AC on!

Good luck.

-M.

VenomWRX · « **Reply #5 on:** July 10, 2009, 06:26:35 pm »

my a/c isnt working right now

VenomWRX · « **Reply #6 on:** July 10, 2009, 06:27:58 pm »

wouldnt the water left in the wrap just be burnt off when i drive it. it should just evaporate shouldn't it.

jackal · « **Reply #7 on:** July 10, 2009, 06:39:35 pm »

The stink isn't that bad. It does last a while though.

mtn05 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 10, 2009, 06:42:01 pm »

Quote from: VenomWRX on July 10, 2009, 06:27:58 pm

wouldnt the water left in the wrap just be burnt off when i drive it. it should just evaporate shouldn't it.

Yeah, it might, but as the wrap dries, it shrinks onto the exhaust piece, and the fibreglass resin cures.

I've never heard of someone driving right away, without curing the wrap, but it's up to you.

IMO, what's a day or so waiting to know your curing process is perfect?

And yes, everyone tends to build up the stink and smoke!

-M.

Flex · « **Reply #9 on:** July 10, 2009, 07:09:25 pm »

When wrapping your downpipe, stop the wrapping before the pipe goes under the car. The rocks and road debris will just tear the crap outta your wrap and it will start peeling off.

VenomWRX · « **Reply #10 on:** July 10, 2009, 07:16:11 pm »

ok so i'm done heat wrapping my downpipe and i'm going to do the turbo next. anyone know anything about doing that?

mtn05 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 10, 2009, 07:46:58 pm »

Quote from: VenomWRX on July 10, 2009, 07:16:11 pm

ok so i'm done heat wrapping my downpipe and i'm going to do the turbo next. anyone know anything about doing that?

If you don't have the DEI kit, there is still some good info here:
http://www.designengineering.com/images/installation_instructions/INS033%20-%20Turbo%20Insulation%20Kit.pdf

-M.

VenomWRX · « **Reply #12 on:** July 10, 2009, 08:32:48 pm »

ya i have the DEI kit

mtn05 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 10, 2009, 09:02:36 pm »

Quote from: VenomWRX on July 10, 2009, 08:32:48 pm

ya i have the DEI kit

So, how did it turn out? Pics?

-M.

darkrid3r · « **Reply #14 on:** July 10, 2009, 10:42:51 pm »

Here are some pictures from my heat wrap, you will notice that i tie wrapped it with steel ties and hose clamps. As was mentioned the rocks will eventually rip the wrap and it will have to be redone.

http://www.westernsubaruclub.com/smf/index.php?topic=2797.120

I would be interested in the turbo wrap kit pictures from your install.

VenomWRX · « **Reply #15 on:** July 10, 2009, 11:08:13 pm »

its all drying right now but i'll post pics up tomorrow

Wrxtasy · « **Reply #16 on:** July 11, 2009, 01:03:39 am »

just make sure it doesn't end up like this...LOL

darkrid3r · « **Reply #17 on:** July 11, 2009, 07:27:59 am »

Quote from: Wrxtasy on July 11, 2009, 01:03:39 am

just make sure it doesn't end up like this...LOL

dood thats awesome! at least it was tie wrapped.
Is that aluminum foil?

Wrxtasy · « **Reply #18 on:** July 11, 2009, 01:54:02 pm »

tin foil + tie wire = solid gold

VenomWRX · « **Reply #19 on:** July 11, 2009, 07:26:04 pm »

here's the finished product.

Wrxtasy · « **Reply #20 on:** July 12, 2009, 02:02:56 am »

looks good

WWEVOX · « **Reply #21 on:** July 12, 2009, 08:24:10 pm »

Lots of helpful posts.

jjjheimer · « **Reply #22 on:** July 12, 2009, 11:48:06 pm »

This is timely. I just noticed my heat wrap has finally come loose at the bottom of my downpipe. Anybody got a hoist/lift in their garage I could use or pay to use? Or recommend a decent speed shop?

VenomWRX · « **Reply #23 on:** July 13, 2009, 01:26:00 pm »

you can go to U-wrench and rent a lift, i think its like $25 an hour or so

CalgarySTI · « **Reply #24 on:** July 15, 2009, 12:52:00 am »

I did the DEI kit as well. Works well for the money since it's cheap(ish). Next time I will definetely go for a proper formed turbo blanket since even after spending hours and hours of cutting, trimming etc, the DEI universal make-your-own turbo blanket is far from asthetically pleasing. You get what you pay for I guess.