Has anyone painted exhaust system

[dave sv8]

Would like some feedback on if it is worth painting a new mild steel exhaust system ( after the cats ) to stop from surface rust prior to fitting & if so what`s the preferd paint / brand to do the job.

[raff]

I think without getting it properly coated in a ceramic type paint and properly baked most spray can paints will have limited worth. The exhaust cops a fair hiding under the car- I think stainless in a always a worthy investment.

That said I have used a ceramic silicone based 3m paint available from super cheap called 'Heat Proof 650 Black' for around $18 which 'cures' once placed back on the car and driven. It claims once heated to over 200'C it forms a tough shield resistant to chemicals, corrosion etc. It is heat resistant to 650' so OK after the cats but I would say not suitable to headers. If your looking for something DIY it may not add years to a mild steel exhaust but surely it would be better than nothing! Has been on the spare car for a few weeks and after a bit of smoking for the 1st few drives it appears to be a good thing!

[TUFFIE]

Just a bit of trivia for you to consider, Exhaust systems don't rust from the outside in, they do however rust from the inside out. So paiting it to stop surface rust is a waste of time.

[dave sv8]

I think without getting it properly coated in a ceramic type paint and properly baked most spray can paints will have limited worth. The exhaust cops a fair hiding under the car- I think stainless in a always a worthy investment.

That said I have used a ceramic silicone based 3m paint available from super cheap called 'Heat Proof 650 Black' for around $18 which 'cures' once placed back on the car and driven. It claims once heated to over 200'C it forms a tough shield resistant to chemicals, corrosion etc. It is heat resistant to 650' so OK after the cats but I would say not suitable to headers. If your looking for something DIY it may not add years to a mild steel exhaust but surely it would be better than nothing! Has been on the spare car for a few weeks and after a bit of smoking for the 1st few drives it appears to be a good thing!

Cheers Raff, given me a starting point to checkout when i`m at S/Cheap.

[dave sv8]

Just a bit of trivia for you to consider, Exhaust systems don't rust from the outside in, they do however rust from the inside out. So paiting it to stop surface rust is a waste of time.

TUFFIE, thanks for feedback .

[V8LS1]

If you haven't bought the mild steel system yet, and aren't thinking of changing systems regularly for upgrades etc, maybe re-consider a stainless setup.

I've gone with a mild steel cat back which sounds great and for the investment is brilliant, but only 18 months later the surface rust is significant... (looks as bad as our 30+ year old tractor exhaust...)

Originally held off the stainless because of the price and was waiting to do headers, cats and system one day but in hindsight should have done the stainless catback from the beginning (not that I had the cash at the time anyway!).