When installing the fiberglass wrap, DEI recommends you get the material damp first. Simply run a low amount of water out of the faucet and get the wrap damp. It will not hurt it to be soaked but if you get it dripping wet you will notice that the job can become messy due to the excess water.
You also will notice that there will be particles in the water when it comes off of the wrap. This is part of DEI’s proprietary coating on the material. You will not wash off all of the material. Most of the wrap on the market does not have this coating on it, according to the DEI. This material adds a higher level of protection and life to the wrap.
DEI’s fiberglass wrap has a 1/4? guideline built into it. You will see it on the tan wrap easily. The line on the black wrap is less visible. This wrap should be installed with the guidelines in mind. Motorcycles can handle a little more overlap than automobiles. This is due to the short free flowing exhaust.
You want to stay with the guidelines because it has been proven that this overlap lets enough heat through the material so the metal is not affected. If you retain high amounts of heat in the metal you raise the chance for cracks.
DEI’s Titanium wrap does not need to wet for installation. This material is pliable enough dry. This material does not have the guidelines built into it so be aware of your overlap. This material is resistant to higher temperatures so if you are building something with a high horsepower level you may want to use this. Another benefit with this material is that it will never fade in color.
The fiberglass wrap has a color added to it and over time it can fade. We have a high temperature coating for the fiberglass that adds life to the material and it also will bring the color of the material back. The Titanium wrap does not need this product; it has the extra protection built in.
For either type of wrap you will want to start away from the motor and work to it. This will give you the proper direction of wrap. If you started from the motor and went away from it you will make the edges face the airflow and over time you may create air pockets.
Start with a full overlap to anchor the wrap and continue wrapping following the 1/4? guidelines (more for motorcycles). You will only achieve the proper overlap on one side when you do curved pipes. This is normal. You also may have to leave a bare spot of metal when you come near an exhaust bung or mount. You will not be able to fully cover the area.
Don’t cross over the area and lay down two layers just to cover the bare spot. You could promote cracking by doing this. When pipes run too close to each other you will have to wrap both pipes as one. You will need a 1/8? of clearance between the pipes to wrap pipes as one.
Both of DEI’s exhaust wraps are a 1/16? thick and the overlaps will add up to a 1/8?. When you have reached your end point cut the material about 3? past the stopping point. Roll this material into a bundle to hide the cut end. This will help over time with any fraying issues.
– Tech Tip courtesy of Design Engineering Inc. 
