I painted my dual exhaust about 2 1/2 weeks ago and it's already starting to chip and fall off. I used the high heat, black paint and put on many thin coats. I did clean the surface before I painted, but originally the exhaust is chrome. Is there anything else I could have done to make it stick better? I want to paint the chrome because it's rusting and I don't know how to get that rust off and make it shine like new.

 

i have painted chrome several times and the best system i have found is rough up the surface with sand paper, then use self etching primer two coats, then primer two coats, then four coats of paint. It wont chip and will look great did my exhaust over a yr ago this way and havent had a chip or anything so far.

 

And the best chrome polish I have used is available at GM parts counters, A C Delco brand chrome cleaner and polish. Laugh, but Turtle wax also made or marketed a decent one too .... good at removing rust and polishing the chrome.

If bad .... sand paper and paint as mentioned above. Exhaust tips likely will be OK with regular good exterior enamel.

 

Grill paint.

 

I did sand paper it, but didn't scratch it at all. Just cleaned it up a bit. It's not like regular exhaust. Seems to be thick chrome that doesn't scratch. It's nearly winter time so I may tackle this in the spring. I will try the paint again. When I did paint it I used high heat grill paint. Lasted about a week before it started to chip off. Thanks for the help fellas.

 

Muriatic (pool) acid will etch the chrome and allow the paint to adhere.

 

Thats some nasty stuff!!!

 

It is not that bad.

 

A light sand blasting will also etch it enough, x2 on the etching primer.

 

Does anyone make Black Tips? You would think somepne would....