Hey guys, just wanted to share my recent experience trying to paint my exhaust tips black. I know ceramic coating is preferred, but I thought I'd experiment a bit, and if I screwed up my I'd just bite the bullet and send 'em off for professional treatment.

Step 1: sand chrome tips thoroughly to rough up the surface in order to promote adhesion. I did not even remotely attempt to remove all the chrome (that would have taken forever). Instead, I just wanted to scuff them up and take off the shine. I used a cheapy walmart palm sander with some course grit sand paper.

Step 2: Paint with hi-temp, semi-gloss bar-b-que paint rated for 1200 degrees.

Step 3: Sand off/remove hi-temp, semi-gloss bar-b-que paint rated for 1200 degrees after it starts to peel and and flake off within 20 minutes of the first extended drive.

Step 4: Re-paint with Rustoleum "High Heat" paint rated for 2,000 degrees (available at Autozone...see pic below, it has a picture of an engine on the can). Apply 2-3 coats, waiting about 1 hour between coats.

Step 5: Wait at least 1 hour after final coat, then evacuate family from the home to avoid poisoning loved ones with noxious fumes as you bake the newly painted exhaust tips in the kitchen oven according to the instructions on the paint can (bake at 250 F for 30 minutes then allow to cool, bake at 400F for 30 minutes then allow to cool, bake at 600 F then allow to cool). Note: my oven would only go up to 550 F, so I settled with one last 30 minute bake at 550 F).

Step 6: Install tips on the car and go for a spirited 10-15 minute drive, then let the tips cool completely.

Step 7: Enjoy your new, flat black Exhaust tips.

Its been 2 months and about 1,000 miles, and the tips look just as good today as the day I painted them. I could not be happier with the way the look and how they have held up. Moreover, the painting part was easy as this paint goes on very well and even with good coverage.

Just thought I'd share just in case anyone else was thinking about trying to paint their own tips.

 

ok i feel like a tool for paying 200 dollars for getting mine ceramic coated. thanks for sharing scott --- they look great

 

Very cool. Not sure I have it in me to do, but very cool

 

Nice job w/ the write up and pics. If you have a nice gas grill or a Bar-B-Q smoker you can get to 600F and bake the tips in there. Heck you can do all of the steps in there and save your house and family from the fumes.
Do not use primer on the tips! All high heat paint needs to bond directly to the metal. Primer will not allow this and at that heat will cause premature peeling.

 

And cook a NY Strip at the same time.

 

I'll pass, a Chemical Dry Rub isn't to my taste.

 

I think I paid $150, but I agree. Looks great.

 

looks sweet

 

Thanks guys. No need to feel like a tool...I fully expected to have to send them in after experimenting, but so far this solution has held up fantastic. I absolutely love the look...now if I can just figure out a way to get rid of my chrome lips without breaking the bank!

 

cool stuff

 

Looks great!

 

Thanks Tony!

 

Looks awesome!!! Now I just have to find an hour and a half that the wife isn't home so I can use the oven...

 

No doubt! She was home at the time, and was drawn to the oven after smelling the foul odor (its seriously offensive...a very chemical-like smell). She was not happy (but I was!).

 

I followed your instructions for painting exhaust tips this weekend and am very happy with the results, although I was a little reluctant to sand down my new Schnell stainless steel tips. The only downside is that it was rainy all weekend so when I finished I didn't want to pull the car out of the garage to take some pics! Thanks again.