Paint Those Pipes?

[Jack Olsen]

I modified my rear exhaust yesterday, and now I plan on painting the rear pipes black, so that the exhaust doesn't scream "I'm not stock" quite so loudly. The question is do I paint just the outlet pipes, or the muffler as well.

[KTL]

Mines a little "not stock" looking too. I kinda like it (and I don't feel like hacking up my valance).



Paint would definitely tone yours down a bit, but how well will it last? VHT is your best bet. Clean things up first the best you can with some prep-solvent to help increase your chances of "paint stickage."

I'd paint your outlet pipes too. They have a good bit of welding evidence on them.

How you like the sound of that B&B? At full roar they're nice, no? 2-3K on mine is a little odd. Very bassy and droning. Call it resonance if you like.......... I don't mind. Definitely turns heads around town.

[thrown_hammer]

If you're going for the "stealthy sleeper" look paint 'em!

[carnut169]

Looks better already!
If I were going to paint it (looks best to be with it all black) I wouls think about having it powdercoated. Just had my shroud done, and it was less $$ than I expected. The shop also did headers which get real real hot- seems like it would hold up much better.

[widebody911]

Paint the muffler and pipes, chrome the tips. POR-20 works well for high-temp apps like this.

[Jim T]

Of the pics above, I think the 3rd one looks best.

If it were my car, I'd configure it that way. It makes the back end look a lot cleaner. With it unpainted, there is a lot going on down there. I'd also do black, rather than chrome, tips. Its just more "business."

Or, I might paint the muffler and pipes the factory Dove Gray color (available from Stoddard, the stuff works awesome!), and do the tips in chrome or black. (I'd probably do black tips, but the chrome tips are more retro, like the earlier mufflers came).

That would be kind of cool, the factory color configuration on the aftermarket system.

But, to minimize highlighting the aftermarket system and to get the cleanest, most business-like look, I'd go with all black.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Paint 'em all, I say. She's "Black Beauty", not "Chrome Beauty".

[Jack Olsen]

I've got the POR-15 brand high temp paint.

Here's what it used to look like:



I think it looks fine on an aggressively-styled car. But mine is supposed to look retro and charming.

[Brian993]

Jack -

It looks clean and mean as it sits now. I know paint and stainless are a no no.

I think it looks charming!

[Planter91C2]

why is your car telling me that i am so hot?

Jack,
I don't think you are in any danger of having people think your car is stock, painted pipes or not.
Mark

[tobluforu]

When I installed my "flomaster style" exhaust, it was S.S. Took about 2 weeks before I got sick of the the funky coloring. Mine does not look as nice of yours, but I had to go w\black. Looks much better now.

[Targa Dude]

My vote was to leave em alone.. no paint, I think it shows more character. If I were in your shoes I'd probably build a custom valance and paint it Black to match the car.

By the way Jack.. she's a Gem Very very nice.

Jorge (Targa Dude)

[jabb]

I perfer the Stealth look paint it all ..... Except maybe the tips......

[Brian993]

Originally posted by Targa Dude
My vote was to leave em alone.. no paint, I think it shows more character. If I were in your shoes I'd probably build a custom valance and paint it Black to match the car.

By the way Jack.. she's a Gem Very very nice.

Jorge (Targa Dude)

Do you mean like this -

[emcon5]

I think you should have the pipes make an immediate 90° turn aft and extend about 6" straight back.

It is a hasty hack job, but something like this, only extinding farther behind the bumper:




Tom

[Targa Dude]

Yeah! Big "B" exactly.. not only is that Character but it most definately some Attitude Dude.....


Jorge (Targa Dude)

[TRE Cup]

This last idea is intriguing- kind of a factory Sport muffler Plus! But on your current set up, the 3rd choice is best in my oppinion- paint the pipes and muffler, leave the tips chrome

[CamB]

The original was PHAAAAAAAAAT, as in word to the mother - it looked nasty (meaning number 1 - crappy, not meaning 2 - badass ).

What am I saying? That I think it is much better aesthetically how it is now (not withstanding the comments in the other thread about performance).

Oh, I voted for all black - I vacillate about my own standard grey exhaust, but take some solace that people rarely look at the back of the car from crotch level:



(Note, it looks so skinnny next to Jack and BigBs cars )