Painting exhaust

[monkeyboysee]

Opinions please.

I've assembled a full exhaust system in really good condition, I have some heat resistant paint to spray it grey as I intend to smarten up the underside bit by bit, good or naff idea?

[greasemonkey]

It's an ok idea if it's a mild steel exhaust to provide a protective layer.

It will need topping up to keep looking good though, but it works ok if that's the effect you want.

I used to spray a bikes downpipes with high temperature paint (the downpipes take a lot of heat) and it lasted well).

As with most painting it's all about prep though. Get a good initial key and it usually lasts ok.

[Oldiebut goodie]

Most exhausts rot from the inside out so is a waste of time and money really.

[monkeyboysee]

not really about stopping it rotting, more to tidy things up? i inten to clean / paint everything that comes off ie tinware etc.

cheers guys

[CovKid]

It'll last for a short while (and can appreciate why you'd want to) but agree, its a bit pointless unless you want to be constantly retouching it all. Been there, done that one. Wouldn't bother now. Tinware yes but paint (even VHT paint) never lasts long on an exhaust.

[Dazco]

Youll have to spray it after every other run , I tried it on mine and it never lasted long. They do look better when painted though.

[what2do]

Not an exhaust I know but someone did mention tinware, painted my shrouds and pushrods covers with shiny silver galv paint and top coated with Dinitrol HPs - looking very tidy. There's a lot to be said for a van who's belly is smarter than it's body

[Moonrakers]

My exhaust got a lick of high temp. spray when it was new a few months ago. Quick rub-down, wiped with thinners and stuck 3 coats on (just Halfords own-brand). After a Winter's driving and 3000 miles or so, still looks very good, have retouched the tail pipe (sooty deposits) and one or two areas on the silencer (hot-spots, perhaps) once, that's all. Looks great.

[Ceecee85]

I tried some on my beach buggy exhaust and engine block as it's all exposed and visible. It only lasted the first run- all I could smell was burning paint. It was supposed to be good for 2000 degC but it didn't last.

[greasemonkey]

Did you cure it properly. If you just whack it on and then drive it at full tilt it'll just burn off. Once dry I used to run engine for about 10 seconds to get downpipes warmed up and then shut off while it cured.
Lasted months before needing a top up. As with most painting, surfaces have to be really well prep'ed too.

[Ceecee85]

Did you cure it properly. If you just whack it on and then drive it at full tilt it'll just burn off.

Perhaps that was it. It was applied and left to dry for a good while cos the engine was beingrebuilt but there was no "curing" to speak of. We live and learn eh .