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3 minute read
Success! (DIY Black Exhaust Tip Mod w/Pics)
Compliments of Scottslaw @ 6speedonline.com
4-16-2010
Hey guys, just wanted to share my recent experience trying to paint my exhaust tips black. I know ceramic coating is preferred, but I thought I'd experiment a bit, and if I screwed up my I'd just bite the bullet and send 'em off for professional treatment.
Step 1: sand chrome tips thoroughly to rough up the surface in order to promote adhesion. I did not even remotely attempt to remove all the chrome (that would have taken forever). Instead, I just wanted to scuff them up and take off the shine. I used a cheapy walmart palm sander with some course grit sand paper.
Step 2: Paint with hi-temp, semi-gloss bar-b-que paint rated for 1200 degrees.
Step 3: Sand off/remove hi-temp, semi-gloss bar-b-que paint rated for 1200 degrees after it starts to peel and and flake off within 20 minutes of the first extended drive.
Step 4: Re-paint with Rustoleum "High Heat" paint rated for 2,000 degrees (available at Autozone...see pic below, it has a picture of an engine on the can). Apply 2-3 coats, waiting about 1 hour between coats.
Step 5: Wait at least 1 hour after final coat, then evacuate family from the home to avoid poisoning loved ones with noxious fumes as you bake the newly painted exhaust tips in the kitchen oven according to the instructions on the paint can (bake at 250 F for 30 minutes then allow to cool, bake at 400F for 30 minutes then allow to cool, bake at 600 F then allow to cool). Note: my oven would only go up to 550 F, so I settled with one last 30 minute bake at 550 F).
Step 6: Install tips on the car and go for a spirited 10-15 minute drive, then let the tips cool completely.
Step 7: Enjoy your new, flat black Exhaust tips.
Its been 2 months and about 1,000 miles, and the tips look just as good today as the day I painted them. I could not be happier with the way the look and how they have held up. Moreover, the painting part was easy as this paint goes on very well and even with good coverage.
Just thought I'd share just in case anyone else was thinking about trying to paint their own tips.
10-14-2010
Hey guys...just an update, as I have another 1,000 miles on these tips and still no signs of wear, chipping, fading, etc.... People ask where I got them done all the time! Go for it.