Race Coatings

In the early 1970’s ceramic engineer Dan Swain developed the first successful ceramic thermal barrier coating for internal engine use. Dan and his ceramic engineering brothers perfected this technology in both their own NASCAR modified and with leading NASCAR Winston Cup teams. Names such as Junior Johnson, Cale Yarborough and Alan Kulwicki were all critical in the testing and development of Swain Tech’s coatings. In 1981, Swain Tech Coatings opened to provide race teams and performance enthusiast with performance improving coatings.

Today, Swain Tech is widely recognized as the premier coating company. Swain Tech’s coatings achieve power and durability results that simply would not be obtainable without Swain’s coatings.

Swain Tech Coatings has thermal barrier coatings for pistons, thermal barrier coatings for cylinder heads, thermal barrier coatings for valves, thermal barrier coatings for exhaust parts, and thermal barrier coatings for intake manifolds. Parts that see movement and wear will benefit from our low friction coatings. We have piston skirt coatings, bearing coatings, valve stem coatings, valve spring coatings, crankshaft coatings and coatings for other parts where frictions should be reduced and a solid film of lubrication can protect the part from wear and damage. For parts that run too hot and need to shed heat, Swain Tech has heat emitting coatings to improve cooling of parts.

DO NOT BE FOOLED BY THE COATING IMITATORS!

Over the years imitators have come and gone while Swain Tech remains the industry leader in thermal barrier coatings, friction reducing coatings, lubricating coatings and other coatings to improve the performance of engine and exhaust parts. Though imitation is the greatest form of flattery, most of these companies give coatings a bad name. These companies are long on promises and short on performance. They offer simple commercially available coatings and apply these simple materials to parts being used in demanding high performance applications. Inevitably, these inferior coatings used by the other coating companies fail and the consumer will likely never try coatings again because they think all coatings are the same. This is unfortunate because Swain Tech’s coatings have been proven in all levels of racing and high mileage street applications for over 40 years. There have even been “do it yourself” kits sold, but those probably only appeal to those who thought the Flowbee was a good way to give yourself a “do it yourself” haircut or a can of spray paint is an intelligent way to paint a car.

Swain Tech Coatings has extensive experience in formulating coatings specifically for high performance use. Each coating is designed for a specific purpose. Each material will have a specific application technique appropriate for that material. In addition to the coatings we do for the racing industry, Swain Tech also has an extensive industrial division where we offer coatings to improve wear life, provide corrosion resistance, provide insulation from heat or electric, improve conductivity, reduce friction and offer many other properties. There are literally hundreds of materials we apply and several different application techniques are used. Our experience in part preparation, masking, and coating application is unmatched.

A relatively new development in coatings that is confusing to the consumer has been manufacturers offering piston skirt coatings or platings for the top of pistons. If a coating comes directly from a manufacturer, it should be viewed as in inexpensive “break in” coating. Neither the materials nor the application methods will give this type of coating any chance of survival after the initial break in period. Swain Tech can strip off the factory break in coatings and apply a good permanent coating.

If you treat your performance parts with the care they deserve, Swain Tech Coatings is the only choice to provide your coatings. Swain Tech’s coatings and workmanship are top quality. That is why we have been successful for over 40 years. We offer the highest quality coatings at a very reasonable price. When you look at the power and durability gains you can achieve with Swain Tech’s coatings you will quickly see that there are no other modifications you will do to your motor that will make more sense than having Swain Tech coat your parts.