A muffler is part of the car’s exhaust system. It plays a crucial role - silently removes exhaust gases from the combustion chamber, which allows the engine to work without interruption. The muffler during the operation of the machine is very hot, regularly exposed to moisture, and without any protection can rust and wear out quickly.
- Selection of heat-resistant paint for the muffler
- Silencer Instruction
- Preparation for work
- Options for cleaning the surface from old paint
- Silencer painting
- Heat treatment
In order not to spend money on repairing or replacing a part, it is worth making its coloring. For this purpose, a special paint for a silencer is suitable, which will reduce the aging rate of the metal and will serve as a prevention of corrosion.
Selection of heat-resistant paint for the muffler
In the production of elements of the exhaust system, a special anti-corrosion coating is applied, which is applied to all heated areas. For new machines, silencer protection is still reliable, but over time, especially with the active use of equipment, it weakens. After the factory protective film is burned, it will need to be restored.
Painting a silencer is an effective way to prolong its “life”, which is reduced under the influence of thermal shock, condensate and temperature extremes. The choice of paint is a difficult matter, because the material must meet a number of conditions. The muffler in the process of work is heated to + 500 ... + 700 degrees, so the paint must be heat-resistant, withstanding a significant increase in temperature. Conventional paintwork will quickly become unusable in such conditions, and the work will have to be performed again.
Some car owners paint the silencer with fireplace paints. In fact, this approach is irrational, because such materials are sold in large packages. In car dealerships, there is a sufficient choice of coatings in spray cans or cans, and such paints have the ability to withstand temperature extremes over a wide range.
Silicone paint is great for working with the exhaust system. It is characterized by wear resistance, strength, heat resistance. Also, silicone-based paint and varnish coatings, which additionally have the ability to protect metal from corrosion, have proven themselves well. They withstand temperature differences ranging from –60 ... + 600 degrees, increase the service life of parts, and contain additives that provide easy application and quick drying.
If you use really high-quality compounds for painting the muffler, you can be sure of the protection of the exhaust system from action:
- gasoline;
- petrochemicals;
- oils;
- salt fog.
Good heat-resistant paint is applied in various ways (by roller, brush, spray method), has high strength values and can be applied to metal even at low ambient temperatures.
to contents ↑Silencer Instruction
First, remove the part from the car and evaluate its general technical condition. It is important to find all areas of rust and to clean them, as well as carefully remove the old, which began to crumble coating.The service life of the new coating, its strength and the effectiveness of corrosion protection will depend on the quality of these works.
Preparation for work
Preparatory activities can be performed using different tools and methods. In any case, after the preparation is completed, the metal should be clean, without traces of paint and rust, dirt, oil. If particles of corrosion remain on the muffler, the rusting process will continue under the coat of paintwork. After stripping the metal, it is puttyed with special epoxy materials.
Options for cleaning the surface from old paint
To clean the silencer, you can use the following devices:
- Hard brush. A durable brush with a wire bristle is selected, with which a metal surface is treated. All rusty areas are cleaned especially carefully, after which putty is applied.
- Figured scraper. This tool is very convenient to use. They process the silencer with pressure, making movements horizontally and vertically. Finish work with sandpaper.
- Chemical flushing. The tool is excellent for removing water-soluble or organic paints. The part is washed with a brush using a brush, after some time the rolling coating is removed with a spatula, a wooden spatula. If necessary, repeat the operation. At the end of the work, wipe the metal dry with napkins or rags.
- Heat gun. Such a device is great for cleaning the silencer, but it must be used with caution. Previously, a wet rag is placed under the part, then the gun is turned on, sent to the surface of the muffler. After the old paint begins to swell, the gun is turned off, and the coating is removed with a scraper or napkin. If the muffler contains lead, this method is not used, since fumes will be harmful to health.
Silencer painting
Staining is a fairly simple stage of work, when compared with preparatory measures. The paint is applied in thin layers (a total of 2-4 layers), after each time they wait until the coating is completely dry. You should not rush, otherwise streaks may form on the metal, flows or some sections will remain unpainted. You can work with a brush, roller, but the easiest way is to make all the manipulations with a small spray gun. Aerosol paint is just as easy to apply, which you just need to spray from a spray can from 15-20 cm.
If the paint is applied by using a spray gun, its nozzle is kept at the same distance, and it is ensured that it is the same over the entire treated area. When the sprayer is tilted, the paintwork will go uneven. Each subsequent strip of paint is applied so that it slightly goes over the previous one.
Heat treatment
Drying under heating is an important step in painting a muffler. For drying, use a building hair dryer or oven, where the part can be calcined at a temperature of + 160 ... + 200 degrees. If you ignore the calcination of the paint layer, it remains soft, and during the ride it can be damaged.
The time for heat treatment is about 15-20 minutes. For this period, you need to put the silencer in the oven or blow it well with a hairdryer, moving the device in both directions.
In order for the car to behave confidently on the road, all its parts and systems must be maintained in good condition. The excellent condition of the muffler is a silent and comfortable movement, prevention of engine breakdowns and the absence of problems with the police. Painting a part will extend its service life and save you a lot of trouble along the way.
