Exhaust paint

Hi riders,

I'm attempting to paint the exhaust, and I would greatly appreciate advice from experts.

I'm currently working on removing the corrosion before painting.

Here's the condition it was in initially:


And here it is after brushing:



My question is, should I remove all these small dark areas before painting? The color doesn't seem to be rust; does anyone know if it's old paint that would provide good adhesion for the new paint? it's taking me quite a long time to get down to the bare metal, I using a drill with a wire brush attachment.

Here's a close-up view of what I mean:

Honest answer: I suspect with that degree of rust (and I do suspect the brown is rust actually), if you try to smooth it all out pre-paint, you may wind up with a lot of holes in the muffler wall (those raised areas may be indicators of severe corrosion in the muffler wall). It may be a better idea to forego this any maybe get an aftermarket exhaust, like a Delkevic.

Erdoc48 wrote:

Honest answer: I suspect with that degree of rust (and I do suspect the brown is rust actually), if you try to smooth it all out pre-paint, you may wind up with a lot of holes in the muffler wall (those raised areas may be indicators of severe corrosion in the muffler wall). It may be a better idea to forego this any maybe get an aftermarket exhaust, like a Delkevic.

If I paint over it, wouldn't it adhere?

Yusepe wrote:

Erdoc48 wrote:

Honest answer: I suspect with that degree of rust (and I do suspect the brown is rust actually), if you try to smooth it all out pre-paint, you may wind up with a lot of holes in the muffler wall (those raised areas may be indicators of severe corrosion in the muffler wall). It may be a better idea to forego this any maybe get an aftermarket exhaust, like a Delkevic.

If I paint over it, wouldn't it adhere?

Answer is yes (use high temp primer first before topcoat of high temp exhaust paint), but it won’t be smooth and likely rust will eventually come through again.

Erdoc48 wrote:

Yusepe wrote:

Erdoc48 wrote:

Honest answer: I suspect with that degree of rust (and I do suspect the brown is rust actually), if you try to smooth it all out pre-paint, you may wind up with a lot of holes in the muffler wall (those raised areas may be indicators of severe corrosion in the muffler wall). It may be a better idea to forego this any maybe get an aftermarket exhaust, like a Delkevic.

If I paint over it, wouldn't it adhere?

Answer is yes (use high temp primer first before topcoat of high temp exhaust paint), but it won’t be smooth and likely rust will eventually come through again.

I haven't seen high-temperature primer. I would be using this one that indicates it can be used on bare metal:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hycote-Extreme-Heat-Black-400ml/dp/B000LDA3Q2?th=1

TBH the only way your going to know if the muffler is worth saving is to take a flap wheel grinding disc to the rough corrosion and smooth it flat.
This will show up any perforations(pin holes) and also prepare the surface for a re-paint.
I have had very good results on all types of exhaust pipes using a Simoniz Matt VHT silver/black paint protects up to 800 C, available from Halfords(UK shop).
It comes in a spray can form, no need for a primer, and can be applied with a brush for seamless results. Just remember to give it a very good shake up before use. Clean brush after use with a brake cleaner spray.




I did my Swing headers almost 9 months ago, still no sign of discoloration or burning.

Hope this helps.

Be safe, be seen!

Thanks JohnyC.

I only have a drill with a brush, I was thinking to buy something like that:
https://www.argos.co.uk/product/8828875

Hi Yusepe.

Get yourself around to Lidls (UK) they have an angle grinder on offer for £25:00

https://www.lidl.co.uk/p/parkside-angle-grinder/p373563?pageId=10027674&tabCode=Current_Sales_Week

and then around to Toolstation(UK) for a
https://www.toolstation.com/rhodius-zirconium-flap-disc-115-x-222mm/p13784

Total cost less then £30.

You can do so much more with a grinder than a sander.

Hope this helps.

Be safe, be seen!

Ps. be gentle with the grinder until you get used to using it, always choose the highest grit available. The disc I listed is an 80 grit or a 120 if they list it.

JohnyC wrote:

Hi Yusepe.

Get yourself around to Lidls (UK) they have an angle grinder on offer for £25:00

https://www.lidl.co.uk/p/parkside-angle-grinder/p373563?pageId=10027674&tabCode=Current_Sales_Week

and then around to Toolstation(UK) for a
https://www.toolstation.com/rhodius-zirconium-flap-disc-115-x-222mm/p13784

Total cost less then £30.

You can do so much more with a grinder than a sander.

Hope this helps.

Be safe, be seen!

Ps. be gentle with the grinder until you get used to using it, always choose the highest grit available. The disc I listed is an 80 grit or a 120 if they list it.

Thank you, JohnyC. That's excellent advice from a financial perspective.

Since it's taking me quite a while to complete that job, and painting requires a sunny day with temperatures exceeding 20 degrees, I'm leaning towards purchasing the Delkevic exhaust. In the meantime, I'll invest more time in fixing the original exhaust, and perhaps later I can sell it to recoup some of the expenses.

My motorcycle is my sole and primary means of transportation here in a small village in the UK therefor I have to finish ASAP.

This is for anyone how wishes to paint an exhaust. I have a few bikes and have painted down pipes as well as exhausts. The best way is to use spray paint for Wood stoves .
I always heat up the metal before spraying . I find by doing this, it stops the paint cracking due to heat expansion.

I put an aftermarket exhaust on mine looks and sounds good

All good ideas. Personally, I would block sand with maybe a 180 wet dry sandpaper, doing it wet, then use BBQ hi temp by Rus-Oleum spray paint. It looks like you will be painting the inside so as long as the paint works and it will, then, you should be happy with the results. I was.