Finally started the restoration of the DT400, got all the paint except exhaust.  What paint is best?  Thanks, Tony

Not knowing if there is actually a correct color, in the past I have just used a high heat flat black paint. The same type I would use on automotive headers.

IMO, the best (user friendly) high temp black paint is the ceramic based VHT "Flame Proof" paint
Rated up to 2000 degree, it's not going to burn off like many of the other high heat paints
That's about 3 to 4 times the temperature ratings of most high temp BBQ paint !!

Normally around $16 a can. . .  It's fuel resistant, but be sure and follow the "curing" directions on can.
It's available in 4 shades of black . . . Flat, Matte, Satin, and Gloss
They also recommend applying their primer beforehand, . . . if you're so inclined.

You should be able to find it at your favorite auto parts store . . . . or even in many big retail stores, such as Walmart..
Good Luck

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Thanks guys, I think I'm going to see if I can find the VHT flameproof stuff in satin. Thanks again!

Over the years, i tried a lot of different rattlecan thermo paints.
To be honest with limited succcess.
The Motip Dupli 850°C black paint , soon is getting white around the most heated areas.
The VHT is too matte and has a very poor corrosion protection. In high humidity you surely will get spotty corrosion everywhere.
By far the best, i every used is Ceracote Glacier Black for my  Exhausts, 2 stroke and 4 stroke --> no rust and no discoloration after years and able to bare more than 1000°C and a smooth satin surface, like OEM. You can see the finish in the video
It even equalizes very good rust craters and is easy to apply, but you need a spray gun, as it is not available in spray cans.
The resistance against mechanical impact is also very good, its not as brittle as usual Silicon based powder coarings
But the exhaust has to be sand blasted, before applying.
But it´s worth the effort (no, i am not sponsored )
I will never use anything else.

That ceracoat looks pretty darn good but having to use a spray gun isn't really practical right now. I couldn't find anything in the flameproof but mat black and that's not what I want. I did find some Krylon extreem heat, it just says "black" so we'll see if it's satin, flat or gloss, it also says up to 1200 degrees. It didn't cost too much so I thought I'd give it a shot.

I used Eastwood High Temp (1,400 degree) Satin Black paint. Not sure how well it'll hold up as I didn't get the chance to put too many miles on before the weather changed, but I'm very happy with the appearance and texture.



 

Looks good BRZN.

I've had great luck with the VHT ceramic on a couple of bikes
Long lasting and corrosion has not returned. To prep I used coarse sanding pads and a steel wire brush, followed by a good wipe with BBQ lighter fluid. What I noticed about this coating is that it doesn't really dry until you get pipe back on the engine and get it nice and hot on a long ride. Before you do so it can easily smear off...but after you get it hot its tough stuff.

My CT1 exhaust was super rusty. I stripped it with a paint stripper honeycomb disc completely, then just used a rattle can of Ace Hardware 1,000° F rust stop barbecue paint I had. Someone pointed out to me that it will not stand up to gasoline spills, which is true. However I've put over 1,200 miles on it since, and it's holding up pretty well.