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Should I Use Heat Wrap Tape for My Motorcycle Exhaust? The Pros and Cons of Heat Wrapping Tape for Motorcycle Exhausts

Kool-Wrap-Natural-Exhaust-wrap-wm

Most fear the potential damage of their motorcycle if they do choose to heat wrap their exhaust. However, there are many benefits by choosing exhaust wrap for your motorcycle that could, in turn, preserve the appearance and function of your motorcycle in the long-term.

Below are some pros of heat wrapping your motorbike exhaust:

Reduced engine temperature

Reduced engine temperature enhances the efficiency of the engine contributing to a smooth ride and better fuel efficiency. 

With the exhaust heat wrap on, the heat stays within the pipe assisting the function of the exhaust pipe which is pushing out heat and smoke.

A cooler engine enhances the horsepower and helps the engine function with higher efficiency.

Cosmetic benefit

When the exhaust heat shield is installed properly you can avoid the discolouration of the exhaust pipe normally caused because of the excessive heat passing through the pipe when the motorcycle is in motion. 

The exhaust wrap covers up the blemishes providing your motorcycle with a sleeker and cleaner finish.

The exhaust wrap can also act as a protective element. When you are riding your motorcycle, particularly over long distances, your feet stay pretty close to the exhaust pipes which are extremely hot and can potentially cause serious burns.  With the exhaust wrap on the still gains some heat but can prevent the extremity of any burns to your feet and legs.

Easy to install

Installing exhaust wrap is a simple and easy process.

The whole process of installation can be achieved in less than an hour. 

As this is an effective procedure that can be done in a timely manner you can start reaping the benefits of exhaust wrap quicker!

Cost-effective

Apart from ease of installation, the exhaust wrap for your motorcycle is also a cost-effective approach to taking better care of your motorcycle, both now and in the long-term.

Usually, fibreglass wraps are priced below $50 for a roll that is 50’ in length.  At best you may need two rolls depending on the way you apply it. If you are an expert with the task, you may even be able to accomplish with only one roll.

Below are some cons to heat wrapping your motorbike exhausts

Difficult installation

It is essential to take extra care when it comes to the installation of your exhaust heat wrap as a poor method of installation can impact how it appears on your exhaust. It may not cover the exhaust how it’s meant to and can impact how it performs its function.

Water damage

If you are not using your motorcycle regularly and water seeps between the wrap and the pipe, it can hasten the rusting. With regular riding, you can combat this problem since water gets dissipated due to the heat. 

Smoke and smell:

Post-installation, the exhaust wrap produces a significant amount of smoke and unpleasant smell. As a result of this you can’t ride your motorcycle for a few hours. If you do, you increase the risk for curing the wrap around the pipe causing marks that will stay permanently.

Overall, there are a variety of pros and cons to the installation of an exhaust wrap to your motorcycle. This is not an uncommon procedure and many in fact have credited wrapping their exhaust for preserving the appearance and operation of the motorcycle as years have progressed.

If you would like to learn more about our heat resistant wraps and exhaust heat shield wraps, please call us on: 0412 548 609 to speak with a member of our team today.

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The Outstanding Difference A Turbo Blanket Creates to Your Car

Since the 1960’s turbocharged engines have been moving people on the roads faster and faster. It is the engine that powers F1 cars as well as many of the ones that we see on the road from day-to-day. Turbocharged engines have a list of benefits that attract people to purchase them. Some of these include higher horsepower and lower emission for those concerned with the environment. 

Turbocharged engines are designed in a specific way to give the car an extra boost. Although the design is not perfect, it is based off facts proven in physics that allows the car to create more horsepower meaning more speed.

How a Turbocharger Works

For those who are unsure of how a turbocharger works, here is a basic overview:

Wasted exhaust gases enter the turbocharger at high pressure through an inlet port. From here, as the air passes through the turbine inside spinning it which also spins the compressor attached. This draws in large quantities of air which are compressed and pass out the of the outlet port. The more pressure created means the bigger the boost is.

The Turbo Blanket

Due to generating such a high heat, a turbocharger can cause drastic damage to a car above and below the hood.

A solution has been created to not only decrease damage but increase the performance of your car. This is called the Turbo Blanket. Depending on the type purchased, turbo blankets are created from a number of materials such as:

  • Heat-resistant fabrics
  • Flexible metal
  • Volcanic rocks

Turbo Blankets come in different sizes to accommodate the wide variety of dimensions that turbochargers come in. The Turbo Blankets purpose is to keep the heat where it is supposed to be, but how do you know if it works? There have been multiple tests conducted on the efficiency of the product to understand if it is worth buying.

The Effect of a Turbo Blanket

Once you have placed the Turbo Blanket over your turbocharger, several positive effects take place. These were proven through a number of tests and university level research conducted by:

  • Steffen Hans Bickle at the University of Texas at Austin
  • Graduate Mechanical Engineer and YouTuber “Engineering Explained”
  • Sports Car Connoisseur and Youtuber “Rob Dahm”

In all of the experiments, the core purpose of the Turbo Blanket is tested. If it is effective, the heat within the turbocharger should be higher with the Turbo Blanket on. This also means that the area around the turbocharger will be a cooler temperature due to the heat being insulated and not released.

Throughout all three tests, there were dramatic heat differences inside and throughout the car. They tested parts such as the top and side of the turbocharger, the intake air, the exhaust gas, exhaust pipe and more.

The Results

Below are the results of the tests conducted:

  • The top of the turbocharger with the Turbo Blanket on was 149ºC hotter.
  • The side of the turbocharger with the Turbo Blanket on was 225ºC hotter.
  • The exhaust pipe with Turbo Blanket on was 113ºC hotter.
  • The exhaust gas post-turbo with Turbo Blanket on was 4.7ºC hotter.
  • The hood of the car dropped from 133ºC to 65ºC with the Turbo Blanket on.
  • The oil exit with Turbo Blanket on was 0.2ºC cooler.

These results show the considerable difference between using a Turbo Blanket on a Turbocharger and not utilising one. The Blanket ensures the engine is running more efficiently as the temperature and pressure are increased leading to the higher horsepower. It also secures the paint on the hood of your car, as well as its structure.

For many, a question may be how does the Turbo Blanket affect the oil temperature? That question is answered within the research. With only a 0.2ºC difference, the Turbo Blanket does not have much effect on the oil at all. The only recommendation would be to let your car run for a little longer after a drive to let the oil move out.

If you have a Turbocharger, it may be time to consider buying a Turbo Blanket to increase performance and protect your car. For more information on related heat protection products, please visit Kool Wrap.

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Best Heat Protection Products For Your Home

heat saving

Your home is much more than just a building. It is a place where we feel safe and relaxed and will protect at all costs. Sadly, most accidents are likely to take place in the home. A study reveals that most of the accidents happen due to appliances such as refrigerators, ovens or fireplaces that radiate excessive heat.

Fortunately, the advancements of modern technology mean that we now have access to heat solutions to keep your home safe. These heat protection products will not only protect your home but will also save you money on your household bills. Heat protection products are becoming a staple for most households with a variety of solutions to help safeguard your home. 

Here’s a list of the best heat protection products on the market: 

Adhesive Tapes:

Kool Wrap adhesive tapes can direct excess heat away from pipes, cables and air inputs. They also allow excellent protection from condensation and radiation. The aluminium tapes are reinforced by a fibreglass layer. This increases the durability of the adhesive tapes making them more reliable. The Kool Wrap Adhesive tapes are available in two ranges:-

  • Gold Reflecta Shield Tape
  • Silver Aluminium Heat Shield Tape

Foil Bubble wrap:

Foil Bubble Wrap is a light and durable product that is perfect for insulating homes. These heat solutions are designed for appliances that demand regular temperature restraints. The advantage of foil bubble wrap is that it is easy to install, waterproof and is capable of preventing radiant heat transfer, for both cold and hot. It is available in a silver colour that is composed of non-toxic elements. Thus, the foil bubble wrap is ideally a convenient choice over traditional insulators.

Heat Shield Products:

Heat-shield products can be used anywhere in your living room or kitchen where radiant heat may pose a threat to the safety of your home. They are commonly used at places in the kitchen where an oven or a fridge is placed as the radiating heat may damage surrounding cabinets or drywall. Also, these heat shield products are used near fireplaces as the excessive heat can result in ruining the bricks and initiate cracks in the mortar.

Heat Sleeves Insulation:

Created from a reflective aluminium foil-lined insulation fibreglass, Kool Wrap’s Heat Sleeves are an effective heat solution. Based on their application, the products are split into two categories-

  • Closed sleeves: these can easily slide over hoses/pipes.
  • Open sleeves: protect gas lines or wiring

Because of their effectiveness and excellent performance, heat sleeves insulation products are widely used in homes and workplaces.

To Sum It Up:

The above-mentioned heat protection products are manufactured by the experienced team at Kool Wrap. The products are durable, reliable and built to withstand anything. Every product is specially designed to shield heat, reduce the bills, increase the efficiency and protection of your home. The best part? Every heat protection product from Kool Wrap comes with an assurance of express delivery in Australia and worldwide! So, don’t wait any longer to safeguard your home from the dangers associated with heat radiation. Experience our cost-effective heat solutions for yourself and rest assured that your home and family are protected by the best!

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Firstly, what sort of heat do you have? Conduction, convection or radiated heat?

We are often asked for a solution to a heat problem and the first thing we think about is whether the problem is caused by conduction, convection or radiation.

We will try to keep this simple.

  • Conduction is the transfer of heat energy by direct contact.
  • Convection is caused by heat transfer within a fluid (includes liquids and gases etc.)
  • Radiation is when heat is transferred without any physical contact (ie Sun rays)

The actual answer is usually a combination of all three, but one heat transfer method is usually the dominant factor.

Conduction

Conduction is the direct transfer of heat through matter caused by the temperature differential between the two objects. If we have a cast iron exhaust manifold and we attach an aluminium heat shield directly to that manifold, the heat energy will flow into the aluminium heat shield until they are approximately the same temperature.

In this example, the heat shield is ineffective.

To protect something from heat conduction, we need to put a barrier between the hot object and the object we are trying to keep cool.

For instance, we could mount our aluminium heat shield any distance away from the hot exhaust manifold with spacers. The heat shield now feels zero conducted heat, but will still feel radiated heat.

Another example of this would be placing your hand against a hot oven glass door. You would probably burn your hand. Move your hand away from the door by 20mm and although you would still feel radiated heat, there would be no more conduction.

Then place an aluminium panel half way between the hot glass oven door and your hand and you will feel very little heat. The aluminium panel has blocked radiated heat.

Convection

As mentioned above, convection is heat transfer by actual movement of matter through a fluid. In this definition fluids include liquids and gases.

An electric fan heater is a good example of convection. The fan forces air to flow over a hot electrical element. The air is heated by the element and then blown out into the room.

Another example is a car radiator. Water flows through an engine and is heated by the hot engine block. This heated water is pumped through the radiator. The radiator is cooled by the flow of cold air through the front of the car. The hot water flows through the cool radiator and heat transfers from the water to the radiator. The warming radiator then passes that transferred heat back to the air as it flows through the radiator.

In the heat protection industry, we may choose to divert the flow of hot fluids (air or water) away from the object that we are trying to keep cool.

Radiation

Radiation occurs where heat is transferred as electromagnetic waves. If you hold your hand up to the sun, or next to a hot exhaust manifold (ignoring air flow) you will feel the radiant energy coming from the sun or hot object.

We can protect items from radiant heat by placing a barrier between the radiant heat source and the item we want to protect.

The Art of Insulation

Our job at Kool Wrap is to project operators and heat sensitive components from heat transferred by Conduction, Convection and Radiation.

One of the most used insulators is actually air.

If we consider roof insulation, we use a variety of products such as fibreglass batts to create a layer of trapped air pockets.

The technical reason why air is a poor conductor of heat is that the air molecules are not in continuous contact with each other. The air pockets in fibreglass or bubble wrap insulation, cannot move around and transfer heat.

Remember that heat will only transfer to something that is cooler. If the heated air is prevented from touching cooler air, then the heat cannot be transferred. If we are using the ceiling insulation example, in summer, the heated air inside your roof, cannot transfer heat through the insulation.

In an industrial or automotive setting, we can use fibreglass tape or lagging to wrap around an exhaust pipe and that tape will contain thousands of tiny air pockets that can help prevent the heat transfer process.

If you have questions about your heat transfer problems, call Kool Wrap today and we will help you to find a solution.

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Should My Exhaust Wrap or New Turbo Blanket Smoke on First Start-Up

Kool Wrap exhaust wrap with smoke

The short answer is yes. Most fibreglass and basalt insulation products will emit some smoke during their first heat cycle.

During the production process for glass fibre fabrics, binders or specially formulated starches are used to lubricate the fibres and hold them in their woven pattern.

Kool Wrap exhaust wrap with smoke

When subject to high temperatures these starches or binders can evaporate or burn off causing smoke to be emitted by the fibreglass tapes or fabrics. This causes no damage and is quite normal although it can be a little scary if you are not expecting it.

The smoking will not last long as is simply a normal occurence.

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Is your hot oven damaging your kitchen cabinetry?

We have had some phone calls recently from customers that have experienced heat damage to their kitchen cabinets caused by a hot oven.

One customer said “My under bench 90cm Whirlpool oven (2 yrs old) is burning the cabinet which is to the left of it. The vinyl wrap has warped and there is a permanent yellow stain”.

Oven heat damaged kitchen cupboards

There are a combination of factors that can cause an oven’s excess heat to damage to your kitchen cupboards and cabinets.

Insufficient air gap between the oven and the cabinets:

  • Insufficient air gap between the oven and the cabinets
  • Insufficient air ventilation between the oven and the cabinets
  • Insufficient heat insulation within the ovens casing or body
  • Heat sensitive cabinet coatings such as vinyl wrapped cabinetry

Kool Wrap is a specialist heat protection products company and we have developed a heat insulation kit that can help protect your valuable kitchen.

The Kool Wrap Oven Cavity Heat Protection Kit consists of 2 sheets of heat insulating fibreglass with a self adhesive layer on the back. Simply peel off the back paper and stick to the left and right sides of the oven cavity.

Kool Wrap Oven Cavity Insulation Kit

The sheets also have an outer layer of heat reflective aluminium foil to reflect damaging heat radiation back away from your cabinetry. This foil can withstand temperatures up to 660°C, far higher than a typical oven.

The sheet material can be cut with scissors and should take no more than 5-10 minutes to install.

Click HERE to view the kit.

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What Is Basalt or Lava Rock Exhaust Wrap

Kool Wrap Basalt Titanium Exhaust Heat Wrap

Wrapping super hot engine exhaust pipes in a high temperature resistant insulating tape has become more popular recently for a number of reasons.

  1. Hot exhaust pipes can be a safety hazard to workers and mechanics working on or using the equipment.
  2. The hot exhaust can be a fire risk. In mines or in agriculture dust or chaff can gather on the hot exhausts or mufflers causing fires. We were told that up to 10% of all combine harvesters catch fire every year!
  3. Keeping the heat inside an exhaust pipe helps to keep the exhaust traveling quickly through the exhaust pipe making the engine run more efficiently.
  4. Exhaust wrap can reduce working temperatures in the vicinity.

Kool Wrap Titanium Exhaust Wrap

Kool Wrap manufacturers a range of wraps with the Basalt Titanium Wrap being the highest quality wrap in the range.

Remarkably, Basalt (often known as Lava Rock) is produced by melting down carefully chosen rock formations that are the result of volcanic activity. The molten rock is then forced through an extruding machine to produce very fine strands of glass fibre that are then woven into various products.  These strands have a filament diameter of 10-20um which is far enough above the respiratory limit of 5um to make it suitable replacement for asbestos.

Basalt fibers are known to be 25% stronger than regular glass fibers and are often used in producing composites that are very similar to carbon fibre.

Wikipedia also quotes, Basalt Fibres “……….also have a high elastic modulus, resulting in excellent specific strength—three times that of steel. Thin fiber is usually used for textile applications mainly for production of woven fabric. Thicker fiber is used in filament winding, for example, for production of CNG cylinders or pipes. The thickest fiber is used for pultrusion, geogrid, UD, multiaxial fabric production and in form of chopped strand for concrete reinforcement. One of the most prospective applications for continuous basalt fiber and the most modern trend at the moment is production of basalt rebar that more and more substitutes traditional steel rebar on construction market.

 

 

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How To Install Our Latest Kool Wrap Exhaust Wrap Insulation

First, you need to work out how much of our Kool Wrap exhaust wrap do you need.

If you are wrapping smaller diameter pipes up to 37mm (1.5”), use a 25mm wide wrap. If your pipes are larger than 377mm in diameter then choose the 50mm (2”) wide wraps.

A Harley Davidson has larger primary pipes and will typically use 15m of wrap. A 4-cylinder engine will also use 15m while a V8 will require 2 15m rolls.Kool Wrap Titanium Exhaust Wrap on headers

Koolwrap offers its standard range fibreglass insulation wraps in white, natural (cream or tan) and black. If you are racing, then your pipes can easily get red hot and we would then recommend our high temp range of either a Vermiculte coated fibreglass wrap or our Titanium wraps. Our Titanium wraps will withstand up continuous exposure up to 1,800°F or 980°C. The melting point is a sky high 2,500°F or 980°C.

You do not have to dampen your Kool Wrap exhaust wrap before applying as our latest high-tech wraps are more flexible than older style wraps and confirm well to corners.

However, there is no harm dampening the wraps if you choose to. It may help to get a tighter finish and can help reduce the small fibres that come off the wraps and can cause skin irritation. Always use gloves and long sleeves when applying. If you decide to dampen your Kool Wrap exhaust wrap, do not soak the wrap in a bucket. Simply dampen the wrap under a tap or use a spray bottle.

It is easier if you work out approximately how much wrap you will need for each pipe before you start and cut a separate length of wrap for each pipe. This avoids trying to pass a large roll of wrap around the pipes.

Fold over the first 15cm of wrap to avoid a fraying end and to provide a tidy start. Then overlap the first 1-2 wraps to lock it on place. You can also add a stainless steel tie at this point to firmly hold your starting point. Then wrap slowly around the pipes using 5-8mm overlap (1/4”). The overlap will naturally increase on the inside of the bends. Keep tension on the wrap to give a nice tight finish.

You can finish your wrap with a spray paint aerosol can. You could choose a clear or a colour of your choice. This will help to lock down any loose fibres and help prevent liquids and dirt from staining your wrap.

You will initially notice the wrap will smoke when you first start your engine. This will disappear after 15-30 mins.

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Industrial Heat Protection

Heat exhaustion

Most workers feel comfortable and therefore work efficiently when the air temperature is between 20°C (68°F) and 27°C ( 80°F) and relative humidity ranges from 35 to 60% (sourced from the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health).

The CCOH article continues saying “The healthy human body maintains its internal temperature around 37°C. Variations, usually of less than 1°C, occur with the time of the day, level of physical activity or emotional state. A change of body temperature of more than 1°C occurs only during illness or when environmental conditions are more than the body’s ability to cope with extreme heat”.

As the work environment warms-up, the body tends to warm-up as well. The body’s internal “thermostat” maintains a constant inner body temperature by pumping more blood to the skin and by increasing sweat production. In this way, the body increases the rate of heat loss to balance the heat burden. In a very hot environment, the rate of “heat gain” is more than the rate of “heat loss” and the body temperature begins to rise. A rise in the body temperature results in heat illnesses.

Heat stress can occur in many workplaces including engine rooms, vehicles, shipping, bakeries, furnaces, foundries, glass production, outdoor construction, laundries, kitchens etc.

These hot environments reduce worker efficiency and:

  • Cause loss of concentration and the ability to do mental tasks
  • Loss of ability to do skilled physical tasks and heavy work
  • Increased irritability

Kool Wrap products can assist workers by insulating or deflecting heat away from the work area.

We have recently completed projects on diesel generators exhaust pipes and turbochargers and even exhaust pipes on fishing vessels.

Call Kool Wrap today and discuss your work place heat protection problems.