Lude Generation

Hey everyone!

Thought I'd stick this in here, rather than in Jayjay's profile thread.

I mentioned to him about getting a wire wheel to tidy up his exhaust systems flanges. Well I thought I'd show you all what can be done with a little elbow grease…

While systems are stainless steel, they will never last a lifetime on our roads, and do corrode! There are obviously some grades of stainless steel which help the situation. As for mild steel, that goes without saying, you will need to clean up a lot or protect with exhaust paint.

I bought one of these, altough annoyingly paid a lot more than that!
http://www.drapertoolbox.co.uk/draper-w ... 4334-62633

Pretty simple how too, to be honest:

1) Using a drill and the above attachment, go to town on the worn, deteriated exhaust.

2) Final step to smooth the wire scratches a little and add some protection is to use a metal polish of some sort - I use Autosol.


Here are the results you can get (shown on a decat) :

BEFORE:



AFTER:




BEFORE:



AFTER:




FINAL PRODUCT




Here is an example of a manifold I started, shows the differences quite well - just wire wheel, no polish yet:



I'll update this thread with finished pictures of this one. /\


For VERY pitted steel, a wire wheel will only get you so far, then it's down to how far you want to grind the metal making a thinner exhaust wall. I would personally recommend getting as much off as possible with the wire wheel and then adding an additive like Kurust (or other similar products), to convert the corroded parts into a tougher metal (don't ask me what - science was never my strong point!).


That's it - random how to, but mainly to show what can be done.


Cheers,


Rob

seen this first hand and cant believe how the decat has turned out from seeing the before pics!!

dont put too many pics of the manifold up!! dont want people inquiring about it! lol

Wow, very nice!

If I ever get either a pit or a lift I'll take my exhaust off and do this. I'm never getting under the car again

Fair enough!

Glad you noticed this, was gonna post you a linky. I was astounded how much this one wire wheel could do. It's still got loads of life left in it, done a few things with it now.

Don't worry Ste - no more pics just yet.

Rob is a polishing demon.
You must have the wrist action of a Thai Bride goddess.

Great results Rob!

I did mine using a polishing pad on a DA & Autosol. I started with wire wool and Autolsol but it just wasn't cutting it.

I've no before pictures of the manifold, but you get the idea when it is side by side to the 4-2-1 pipe.






The same method worked a treat on the tips -

Shiny, which pad did you use?

I've got a DA with 75 & 150mm backing plates.

I want to polish up my manifold, started with adremel and didn't realise how much hard work it would be!!

Used a cutting pad and then finished off with a polishing pad. Use an old one though, as they black with the tarnish.

Nice work, glad it was posted actually. I've just bought a 2nd hand stainless exhaust for the CRX, its in great condition but still needs a bit of spit and polish.

any one fancy polishing my pipe................................................?