RazMan
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| posted on 19/12/05 at 04:40 PM |
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Heat insulation for rad pipes?
I am looking for some heat reflecting material to insulate 2 x 2m lengths of alloy tubing which are running along my central service tunnel. Space is
really tight so I need something as thin as possible.
The only stuff I have found so far is horrendously expensive ceramic cloth with ally coating.
Can anyone suggest anything?
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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emsfactory
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| posted on 19/12/05 at 04:43 PM |
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I've got some of that heat wrap on my exhaust from cbs. Not cheap but works well.
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02GF74
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| posted on 19/12/05 at 04:45 PM |
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can you use exhaust wrap stuff? you can overlap it to makethe insulation thicker if you have space.
just out of interest what is inside the tubes and what is the heat source?
ok; read the title - I'm guessing your tunnel is getting hot due to radiator plumbing - insulation on the inside then?
[Edited on 19/12/05 by 02GF74]
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RazMan
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| posted on 19/12/05 at 04:46 PM |
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Agreed it is nice stuff and I will probably use some in my engine bay but at £22 per metre it is a bit ott for the rad pipes. I just need to prevent
heatsoak into the cabin - great this time of year but in the summer .......
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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emsfactory
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| posted on 19/12/05 at 04:51 PM |
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Why not just leave it untill the hot weather then?
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RazMan
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| posted on 19/12/05 at 04:57 PM |
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erm .... coz I'm building my car now and I don't fancy dismantling everything just to cover the hoses. They are buried under gear linkage,
brake pipes, wiring loom, handbrake cables etc etc
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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02GF74
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| posted on 19/12/05 at 05:01 PM |
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I symnpathise with your problem. The v8 in my lightweight chucks out huge amounts of heat - insummer the top has to be down, sweating and dirinking
copious amouhts if water is the only solution.
How about boxing in the pipes with ali and then filling up the space with the expanding foam stuff you buy in B&Q?
No idea how effective that would be.
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RazMan
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| posted on 19/12/05 at 05:20 PM |
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Actually that might be a solution! As the pipes are so cramped, it will be difficult to wrap them with anything but as they are closest to the floor
(actually resting on the chassis tubes) I might be able to box them in tempoarily and whoosh in some gap filler foam.
Sounds fiendishly clever but I wonder if it will be ok with the heat. 
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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MkIndy7
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| posted on 19/12/05 at 05:41 PM |
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Will household heating pipe lagging fit?
Should imagine the really cheep black foam lagging would squeeze on, or try a commercial lagging firm, see what they suggest
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Peteff
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| posted on 19/12/05 at 05:52 PM |
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I'll second that, some split foam pipe lagging or fibre lagging wrap round like in the loft should do the job or you could insulate the inside
of your tunnel with some flat board to keep the heat back.
yours, Pete
I went into the RSPCA office the other day. It was so small you could hardly swing a cat in there.
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JonBowden
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| posted on 19/12/05 at 06:00 PM |
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I think this is what you want
Screwfix link
It is like bubble wrap with a foil side
I think it is the same as some of the modern roof insulation
Jon
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cornishrob
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| posted on 19/12/05 at 06:34 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by RazMan
Agreed it is nice stuff and I will probably use some in my engine bay but at £22 per metre it is a bit ott for the rad pipes. I just need to prevent
heatsoak into the cabin - great this time of year but in the summer .......
I get 55 foot rolls inch wide exhaust wrap for 15 quid i can give you details of the company but dont know the rules on poasting business on the
forums so PM me.
This is the stuff i used on my Celica GT4 downpipe and even though the turbo was glowing bright red you could still put your palm flat on the wrap on
the downpipe and hold it tight with no discomfort!
expanding foam on the other hand isn't the best of heat insulators but it will work to a certain extent because of the bubbles it forms inside
itself, If you are worried about it causing problems with the heat you can buy special fire foam which is fire resistant to several hundred celcius,
we use it around the corners of ceilings in public buildings to help seal the fireboards and its just like expanding foam.
Even wrapping the pipes in a foil would help with the heat reduction. or you could put matting around the tunnel before the carpets are fitted
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RazMan
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| posted on 19/12/05 at 08:36 PM |
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Thanks for all the ideas guys 
I've already looked at the household lagging and it is definitely too bulky.
The exhaust wrap, although very bling, is probably still a bit ott and I think that JonBowden's screwfix heat tape is spot on!
At £2.99 for 7500mmx50mm I should be able to do the whole lot for around a tenner and do the job in an hour or two!! I might even glue strips of this
stuff under the carpet as suggested and get twice the insulation
Sorted!
Once again, thanks for all the suggestions
[Edited on 19-12-05 by RazMan]
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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JonBowden
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| posted on 19/12/05 at 11:10 PM |
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The screwfix stuff is 50 mm wide. The packet says thet they do 75 mm stuff but I don't know where to get it
Jon
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RazMan
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| posted on 19/12/05 at 11:12 PM |
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It just gets better & better! The bubblewrap doubles up as a stress reliever too 
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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02GF74
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| posted on 20/12/05 at 08:34 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by cornishrob
I get 55 foot rolls inch wide exhaust wrap for 15 quid i can give you details of the company but dont know the rules on poasting business on the
forums so PM me.
This is the stuff i used on my Celica GT4 downpipe and even though the turbo was glowing bright red you could still put your palm flat on the wrap on
the downpipe and hold it tight with no discomfort!
I would push the boat out and spend the extra £5 on this stuff - sounds quite impressive.
I don't want to burst your bubble but screwfix stuff is cheap for a reason - my experience shows it to be slightly shoddy. It relies on the air
in the bubbles - how long are they going to remain intact?
Also route the pipes so the return from the radiator is closest to the driver, the hotter (engine to rad) is nearer the pasenger.
Also may be worth trying to use the low temp. coolant additive to the water.
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RazMan
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| posted on 20/12/05 at 08:56 AM |
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You have a point although by my calculations it will probably take two rolls to insulate 2x2m lengths of 38mm id ally pipe if they are wrapped with a
50% overlap. Still, £30 isn't exactly going to break the bank
I'm off to my local plumbing supplies today to get some shower fittings so I will have a look see what he's got while I'm there.
TBH once the insulation is installed it will be left undisturbed for the life of the car (hopefully) so I would imagine anything, no matter how
delicate, would survive ok.
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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cornishrob
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| posted on 20/12/05 at 05:11 PM |
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im on the same opinion of screwfix products, I have purchased several tools and substantial materials from there catalogue and all but a few items
have broken or proved to be useless.
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RazMan
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| posted on 20/12/05 at 07:18 PM |
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I went to B&Q today and found the same product (more or less) in a larger roll. On closer inspection I don't think it will offer much
insulation - it is basically very thin bubble wrap with alluminium foil on both sides. I might as well go for the ceramic cloth with alloy layer on
the inside like CBS stock - Rob you have U2U
[Edited on 20-12-05 by RazMan]
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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JonBowden
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| posted on 20/12/05 at 11:26 PM |
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I believe this stuff (the foil backed bubble wrap) has amazing insulation properties. A thin layer of it is apparently enough roof insulation to
comply with building regs - my brother in law had this fitted to the roof of their extension
Jon
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02GF74
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| posted on 21/12/05 at 09:44 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by cornishrob
im on the same opinion of screwfix products, I have purchased several tools and substantial materials from there catalogue and all but a few items
have broken or proved to be useless.
Would one of them have been the stepped drill  ? screwfix price, £6, makes about 2 holes before going blunt. Bought one from my tool hsop, made in
England, £20ish, still going strong.
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RazMan
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| posted on 21/12/05 at 10:18 AM |
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Historically tools have always been the one area I always regret not spending a little more money on. With a few exceptions, you usually get what you
pay for and it is worth spending a little more on known brands to ensure reliabilty.
Having said that, a few years back I bought B&Q's own brand angle grinder, random orbital sander, and cordless drill. They are not going to
last a lifetime but after a few years of hard use they are all still going strong.
On that note I have now done another U turn and decided to go for the B&Q bubble wrap foil. About £20 and it will do all of the pipes, central
tunnel and still have some left over for under the carpet. I might even be able to drive the car in the summer without intraveinous fluids now
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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cornishrob
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| posted on 21/12/05 at 06:30 PM |
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I love tools, a bit too much really, I spend varying ammounts with varying success, My comprehensive socket/spanner/ratchet set is halfords
professional range and with roller cabinet and top chest cost several hundred pounds, It is very high quality products however, not snap on quality
but not as remotely expensive and after 12 months im yet to see anything looking like its been used. My compressor a 50lt 2hp sealey was bought from
ebay new for 150 with lots of air tools, one of the best things i have ever bought! Power tools i tend to spend as little as possible, cordless drills
i get for 20 quid a piece and they last a year when the batteries die, for 20 quid i dont mind throwing them away, same with 4 inch grinders, i get
them at 6 quid a piece, if i went through 1 a month i wouldn't be alarmed.
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02GF74
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| posted on 22/12/05 at 09:15 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by cornishrob
I love tools, a bit too much really, I spend varying ammounts with varying success, My comprehensive socket/spanner/ratchet set is halfords
professional range and with roller cabinet and top chest cost several hundred pounds, It is very high quality products however, not snap on
quality but not as remotely expensive and after 12 months im yet to see anything looking like its been used.
you are gonna be gutted as Halfords have these on specail offer at the mo. give me a bit of time and I'll post upo details.
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cornishrob
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| posted on 22/12/05 at 05:55 PM |
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it always seems that way when i go in halfords, ill buy something and a week later it'll be on offer  hehe.
As for my socket set its seen a lot of use so was a well worth buy anyway.
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