exhaust clean-up

[Don Thomas]

I am looking to re-install the original exhaust pipes and mufflers on my 1980 for the National. They have acquired a little rust over the years from sitting. Mainly the pipes, but the rolled edges on the mufflers also received some rust. Question: What is the best way to clean the rust off and not damage do damage and lose judging points? Do I blast with some type of media, wire wheel by air power? Has anyone done this before?
Thank you for any advice.

Don

[Mike M.]

Re: exhaust clean-up

if your '80 is going for bowtie, just clean the header/exhaust manifold/donut mating surfaces with some benign abrasive(3-M pads/steel wool) so that there isn't crud that allows exhaust gases to escape. blasting the exposed surfaces of the exhaust system will cost ya points. since you are re-installing the original exhaust system, i assume its the Bowtie you are in persuit of. good luck, mike

[Salvatore I.]

Re: exhaust clean-up

I assume that the items are not pitted...There is a non-abrasive, non-acid-based product that I have used that will get rust removed by simply submerging in the solution. Depending upon the level of rust, it may take 1-2 hours to eat the rust away or the item may have to stay submerged overnight. Works beautifully, in my opinion.

You may choose to not use this method with the exhaust pipes, but there may be other items on th ecar that once removed can be cleaned without a wire brush or any abrasives. Clean up is with water.

http://www.ridrust.com check it out....

[Rob A.]

Re: exhaust clean-up

Don,

Definately DON'T wirewheel the rust off...it will rust again immediatly and worse. I've used "GOO BE GONE" cleaner on mild, surface rust with good results.

[Patrick H.]

Re: exhaust clean-up

Ridrust works great, but will remove original black oxide or phosphate, and at least on the few zinc pieces I've tried it does dull them.

But, it does remove rust very well without attacking the underlying steel.

Patrick

[Don Thomas]

Re: exhaust clean-up

Thank you all for your advice. I am actually having it Top Flight judged at Boston National in July. I need the extra points to make up for the ridiculous pin stripe deduction that wipes out my beautiful paint points. I figure I have all the correct parts, I might as well put them on. They just need some cleaning.

I will try the ridrust suggestion and 3M pads.
Thank you.
Don

[Patrick H.]

Re: exhaust clean-up

And I assume the pinstripes can't be removed? They must be the painted on type, not tape, correct?

Patrick

[Don Thomas]

Re: pin stripe

The pin striping could be removed but I like it and I think the ruling is bias and unfair. So I refuse to remove them. Roy Sinor has put this rule in place for his own grievances against pin stripe. This rule should have a severity scale just as most other non-original components do. The way it is written, it is 100% deduction of paint for pin stripe.