Protect your car muffler from corrosion
To increase the service life of the exhaust pipe, car enthusiasts use two main methods:
- Drilling a hole in a pipe to allow condensate to drain out.
- Application of heat-resistant paint.
The first method allows condensation to escape, thereby preventing the accumulation of liquid and the formation of rust. Despite its effectiveness, not all motorists are ready for such radical interventions.
So, painting a car muffler with special paint to prevent it from rusting is often the only way to combat corrosion. This protects against rust and prevents accelerated aging of the metal from high temperatures. The best option is to paint the calipers with silver enamel: this is a reliable method, moreover, it is pleasant and affordable.
Muffler painting instructions
Before painting a car muffler, to prevent the assembly from rusting, you must thoroughly clean the surface of the old coating. This is a mandatory stage on which the strength and reliability of the subsequent coating, effective protection against corrosion and wear depend. When painting the most important part of the exhaust system, special attention should be paid to the quality of its cleaning from rust, dirt and old coating. The heat-resistant composition ideally fits only on a well-prepared surface.
Preparation
For cleaning you can use: – a stiff brush with wire bristles; – chemical removers; – figured scraper; - heat gun. When using a brush with stiff wire bristles, rust can often be found under a layer of paint and dirt, the area of which must be additionally treated with epoxy putty. Chemical strippers can be used before applying heat-resistant (heat-resistant) spray paint to the muffler. These active substances are excellent for cleaning the surface of a part from old organic or water-soluble paints. They are applied in a thick, dense layer to the part. To do this, use a brush with natural bristles. Then the paint is removed using a spatula or wooden spatula. After this, the surface should be wiped dry with a clean rag or napkins. A shaped scraper is used when preparing an exhaust system element for painting. It's convenient to use. To achieve a perfectly smooth surface, it is necessary to sand using medium-grain sandpaper or a special machine. Heat-resistant spray paint for the muffler adheres well to a surface that has been cleaned of the old enamel layer using a heat gun. This tool must be used with extreme caution, observing fire safety regulations. To do this, it is recommended to place a piece of damp cloth under the part during heat treatment.
Important! A heat gun cannot be used if it is made with a large amount of lead. This chemical element evaporates when heated, so it can be harmful to health.
Painting
If you have already decided on how to paint the car muffler so that it does not rust, you can start painting. This stage has its own difficulties. During the process of painting the muffler, smudges often form. They can worsen the performance characteristics of the unit and do not look aesthetically pleasing at all. To prevent the formation of sagging, you must adhere to a simple technology: – the enamel must be applied in thin layers, each time after complete drying; – the spray gun should be held at the same distance from the surface; – do not move the sprayer at an angle or in an arc; – the sprayed substance should capture not only the edges of the part, but also extend beyond its boundaries; – each strip must be applied evenly to the previous painted areas.
Pay attention to: Painting wheels with powder paint: advantages of technology, step-by-step instructions for painting
Heat treatment
After coating, the surface needs additional heat treatment. The easiest way to do this is with a hair dryer. In order for a truly heat-resistant coating to form during the drying process, it is necessary to periodically pass hot air through the part in both directions. Some experts also advise pre-heating the outer part of the exhaust manifold. However, some motorists believe that this stage is not mandatory. According to them, the muffler heats up during the operation of the equipment, so it does not require additional calcination.
Is it allowed to paint the muffler on a car?
Whether to paint the exhaust pipe is up to you. The factory paint, which is mainly responsible for its presentable appearance, begins to lose its integrity soon after purchasing the car. In addition, scratches are possible already during installation, and welding work reduces the protective characteristics of the top layer.
Rusty car muffler
Although it is not covered with anything on the inside, when properly applied to protect the car muffler from corrosion on the outside, the paint still protects for some time, significantly extending the life of the part.
Selection of paint for a car muffler
Choose paint for the muffler based on the following basic parameters:
- Heat resistance (the higher the better: the exhaust pipe can heat up to 600 degrees, so its temperature range should be from -35 to 600 degrees Celsius).
- Anti-corrosion.
- Waterproof.
- Painting characteristics: structural uniformity, color saturation, drying speed.
It is best to buy silicone enamel or heat-resistant varnish.
Heat resistant
Silicone heat-resistant paints are popular among car enthusiasts because they are easy to use (applied in several layers and do not require a primer).
Painting a car muffler with a heat-resistant compound not only protects against rust, mechanical damage and chemicals, but also extends the life of the exhaust pipe, making it resistant to high temperatures.
Heat resistant paint for muffler
There is an important point that distinguishes heat-resistant paint for the muffler: in order for it to harden, the composition must be heated to 160–200 degrees. This can be done using a hair dryer or high temperature oven. The drying period for each layer is 15–20 minutes.
Fireproof
Painting a car muffler with fire-resistant powder paints, as a rule, takes place in an industrial environment. The composition, in comparison with silicone heat-resistant analogues, makes it possible to withstand higher temperatures. The main disadvantage is the difficulty of application.
Serebryanka
The best paint for a car muffler is silver. At service stations, it is most often made silver or black: these shades can withstand temperatures of up to 600 degrees in the short term, and up to 400 degrees in the long term. Other colors are less heat resistant.
How to quickly find damage
If the symptoms described above occur, it is important to accurately determine the original sources of the problem. To do this, it is not always necessary to seek professional help, spending financial resources.
Just by hand
When sounds and vibrations appear, you can determine the location of the leak yourself. In such cases, you can identify extraneous sounds purely by ear, and then carefully run your palm along the collector pipes without touching the hot metal. The surface of the palm will feel the movement of hot air.
In this way, it is possible to determine possible violations of the integrity of the exhaust structure at the joints or on the tubes themselves. Here it is important to carefully concentrate on your own feelings.
For dark spots
If the operation of the engine is accompanied by pronounced “clacking” sounds emanating from the pipes, resonator, or muffler itself, then under such circumstances we can say that the muffler is “cutting.” In other words, pipe bends, welds, and joints have lost their tightness.
Due to high temperatures and mechanical stress, holes appear here. Detecting them is quite simple, focusing on dark spots around the circumference.
Thus, damage can be found purely visually. The main thing is concentration.
Vacuum cleaner
A persistent smell of exhaust gases is a clear sign of exhaust manifold leaks. Identifying a crack here is not always easy, since the hole can be absolutely miniature in size. Due to the high heating temperatures, it is quite difficult to find the hole. You can simply burn your hands here.
The solution may be a regular vacuum cleaner. In addition, you will need tape, a small piece of rubber hose, and a funnel for liquid.
The check should be carried out according to the following algorithm:
- First you need to let the collector cool.
- Remove the air filters and bag from the vacuum cleaner, remove the nozzle, attach its hose directly to the exhaust pipe using tape.
- Make a stethoscope from a hose and funnel.
- Turn on the vacuum cleaner.
- By applying a stethoscope to different parts of the exhaust system, try to determine where exactly the air is being sucked in. In this case, the end of the hose must be rearranged as smoothly as possible, avoiding sudden movements and large gaps.
- After finding the hole, close it with your finger. When the noise stops, you can assume that this is the source of the problem. Otherwise, you need to continue searching.
Once breakdowns are detected, they can be sealed using sealant or welding.
Smoke generator
The generator is equipped with a pressure gauge, a smoke outlet hose, a nipple for connecting a pump or compressor, and a power supply with power control that can be connected to a car battery. In addition, you will need liquid cosmetic oil and a flashlight.
To diagnose, you need to perform the following steps:
- You need to connect a compressor to the device to inflate the tires.
- Insert the hose inside the exhaust pipe along with a cloth to seal it.
- Connect power to the battery terminals.
- Turn on the compressor.
- After this, you need to go down inside the inspection hole and use a flashlight to inspect the exhaust system.
- At the last stage, carefully inspect the cylinder head under the hood.
After diagnostics, seal the holes using sealant or welding. In some cases, certain parts may need to be replaced.
Therefore, an increase in exhaust noise is a serious sign of a problem. Damage can be detected using fairly simple methods. For a more accurate result, it is better to use special equipment.
We take a regular drill, a thin drill and drill a hole in the bottom of the muffler. As water accumulates, it will begin to come out through this small hole. A dry muffler is not as susceptible to corrosion, which means the metal product will last a little longer.
Most often, it is the inside of the part that rots. And to prevent this process, it is better to process it. The composition of the solution is as follows:
- graphite lubricant (1kg);
- solvent (1 l).
We will also need a container for preparing the solution, where we will mix the two ingredients. Mix the contents thoroughly and pour into the muffler. Just before pouring, close the second hole tightly.
Otherwise, the liquid will pour out through it, and the desired effect will not be achieved. Now you need to thoroughly shake the muffler so that the composition lies evenly on the metal surface. All that remains is to drain off the excess, dry it and you can put it on.
Here are two simple ways to help extend the “life” of the muffler.
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