What do you guys do to heat exchangers when removed?

[ertech]

Hi guys don't want to purchase a new one , mine looks like sh-t but is in good condition . Do you guys bead blast and paint ??
What should I do?
Thanks

[DSPTurtle]

WD-40, steel wool, many, many hours of your time. Will look awesome when your done.

[911nut]

Originally Posted by DSPTurtle

WD-40, steel wool, many, many hours of your time. Will look awesome when your done.

...but no one will appreciate it as they won't be able to see it
I wouldn't recommend blasting of any kind as you could struggle to get the media out of the heat exchangers.
Turtle's got it right. Your fingers are going to be sore.

[turbo owner]

Originally Posted by ertech

Hi guys don't want to purchase a new one , mine looks like sh-t but is in good condition . Do you guys bead blast and paint ??
What should I do?
Thanks

Aircraft paint stripper, pressure wash, then paint or polish.

[RarlyL8]

This was the Euro exhaust I had in the Red Rocket for about 10 years (top picture). Bead blasted then painted with high heat paint. They still looked really good a decade later when I replaced them with my headers (bottom picture).

[Schwarzeritter]

On most of my cars I removed the head exchangers, as I have other means of heating.

I would remove them, have the ice-blasted, or bead-blasted. This will even the surface texture out and for the most part remove any surface rust or crap. Depending on what look
you wanted. You could have them painted with a high temp-black paint. Or you could have
them plated, chrome, nickle, etc. You could also have the original metal surface polished down.

Depends on what re-sources you have available. However, going thru with a proper ice or bead blaster will allow you to get a uniform surface, keep the surface clean and then have it painted if you want to keep it cost effective. Don't do this installed, remove them.

It's how you want to skin the kitty.

[Uwon]

Originally Posted by ertech

Hi guys don't want to purchase a new one , mine looks like sh-t but is in good condition . Do you guys bead blast and paint ??
What should I do?
Thanks

I bought a second-hand set to replace those damaged at a track crash. The seller threw in burned plastic, a few pounds of Appalachian crud and all kinds of burned on oil. So I did what apparently others disagree with-bead blast, power wash in and out, some steel wool which did not work that well, wet sand (rough and then fine) followed by rubbing compound. I can see my face on the bottom side but frankly I could not get that same mirror finish on the top side (facing the motor) and on the outlets to the heater hoses. Post #30 on Evolution of a Carrera RST will give you an idea. I figure about 3 hours per heat exchanger with the units off the motor. The SS will fade with time and heat so it will need some TLC periodically. Hope this helps.
Johan

[krasuskyp]

Originally Posted by ertech

What should I do?

sell them and buy headers 8-)

[ertech]

when you separate the exchangers do you use regular bolts to put it back or specific Porsche one?
Thanks

[Ronnie's.930]

When I had mine off, way back before Brian was making his headers, I paid a shop to blast and ceramic coat mine (coated on the outside only) a silver color. They still look great six years later. I've seen pictures of some that were ceramic coated black, and like how that looks as well.

[JohnJL]

sell them. or have them ceramic coated.