Muffler Paint

[Pat F.]

Any suggestions for restoring mufflers on a 1995. GM issued a service bulletin advising that the paint peeled on certain GM models the Corvette included. They look terrible. The supplier of the paint was Wabash Products, their telephone numbers are no longer valid.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. I have gone to my usual source of knowledge, Tom Hendricks, but any other suggestions would be appreciated. Had the Corvette Top Flighted in March and took a deduct for the mufflers.

Thanks Pat Fullam

[Joe L.]

Re: Muffler Paint

Any suggestions for restoring mufflers on a 1995. GM issued a service bulletin advising that the paint peeled on certain GM models the Corvette included. They look terrible. The supplier of the paint was Wabash Products, their telephone numbers are no longer valid.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. I have gone to my usual source of knowledge, Tom Hendricks, but any other suggestions would be appreciated. Had the Corvette Top Flighted in March and took a deduct for the mufflers.

Thanks Pat Fullam

Pat------


This was a problem on all 1992-96 Corvettes. I think the reason was that the exhaust system material changed to some sort of stainless but the material and process used to paint the mufflers didn't change commensurately. The stainless is not a high-quality, non-magnetic stainless, though.

Stainless always presents problems for coating or painting (ask the folks who own DeLorean cars whose "stainless" bodies didn't remain stainless for too long and required painting as the only repair option).

I think you could probably effectively re-coat the mufflers, but the problem would be the only really effective way to do it would be to remove all of the existing coating, lightly scuff the surface, and re-paint with a heat-resistant paint.

I think you would find that Rustoleum Barbecue Black would work well. It might be a little flatter than the original paint, but it will be close. You could even apply this over the existing coating but when the remaining existing coating peels, it will take the new paint with it.

[Edward J.]

Re: Muffler Paint

Pat------


This was a problem on all 1992-96 Corvettes. I think the reason was that the exhaust system material changed to some sort of stainless but the material and process used to paint the mufflers didn't change commensurately. The stainless is not a high-quality, non-magnetic stainless, though.

Stainless always presents problems for coating or painting (ask the folks who own DeLorean cars whose "stainless" bodies didn't remain stainless for too long and required painting as the only repair option).

I think you could probably effectively re-coat the mufflers, but the problem would be the only really effective way to do it would be to remove all of the existing coating, lightly scuff the surface, and re-paint with a heat-resistant paint.

I think you would find that Rustoleum Barbecue Black would work well. It might be a little flatter than the original paint, but it will be close. You could even apply this over the existing coating but when the remaining existing coating peels, it will take the new paint with it.

Joe, the C-5 cars had the same problem,there just to much expansion and contraction with the mufflers and pipes, I found that to much paint only make the problem worst,Charlie I would not lay the paint onto thick.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Muffler Paint

Dad's 92 looks even worse.

I've used BBQ black on my 71/72 cars and it looks similar, but you'll still be painting over chip marks.

[Keith B.]

Re: Muffler Paint

I used Eastwood exhaust high temp black paint that you brush on. I did this about two years ago on my daily driver 94 that sees any weather that Pa has and it held up great.

[Pat M.]

Re: Muffler Paint

My 96's mufflers didn't look nearly that bad but I did have a bit of peeling. Several years ago I was able to get the pictured paint, per the service bulletin, from my local Chevy dealer. Worked and matched perfectly, but took forever to dry.

[Pat F.]

Re: Muffler Paint

Gentlemen, thank you one and all for your responses. I am glad to know that I am not the only one with crappy looking mufflers. Had the chance to look at a 96 with 4,000 miles and they sure looked good. Looking at those mufflers started me on this mission.

Once again, Thanks

Charlie "PAT'" Fullam

[Tom H.]

Re: Muffler Paint

Pat !

Probably the best method to create a good finish is do what Joe said. Remove the original paint, prep the surface and respray. That should give you the desired look !!

[Pat F.]

Re: Muffler Paint

Dave, thanks for your input. You are not the first to make that statement to me. A Master Judge told me that they are only original once. I am looking for input such as yours on this very informative forum. The Corvette looks great and then you look at the mufflers hanging down and they look like crap.

Like I said I took a deduct at the Mason Dixon Chapter Meet for condition of the mufflers and rightfully so. But where do I drawn the line in having the paint continually falling off on an otherwise really nice Corvette.

Our Chapter, Central New Jersey, is hosting a regional meet next spring and I intended to take it there for its second Top Flight attempt. I would be happy to hear from anyone, and I value every one's opinion, as to my wanting to restore the original mufflers. What would be my deduct if the Judges felt that the mufflers should have not been redone.

Dave, again, thank you for you comments and I do value them.

Pat

[James W.]

Re: Muffler Paint

In my opinion you need to paint them. it's only original once works well for most things, but when it gets to where the paint is falling off - paint it. I've got a 90 ZR-1. I painted the mufflers, also. It's called maintenance

Jim

[Pat F.]

Re: Muffler Paint

Jim, thanks for your input. This why I value the input of all members of this great forum.

Pat