refinishing/repainting exhaust tips
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
refinishing/repainting exhaust tips
Hey guys-
So I'm pretty sure the '91's (maybe all?) came with black(?) tips, yes? My actual exhaust tip has of course seen more heat than the WG side (guess I should drive harder ha ha) - so is in more need of a refinish.
Not sure how hard it would be to polish both tips? But I'm not a blingy guy so fine with factory finish if it's a big pain the a$$.
But what is the factory finish? Any info/tips appreciated.
Thanks-
Brandon
'91 Turbo
So I'm pretty sure the '91's (maybe all?) came with black(?) tips, yes? My actual exhaust tip has of course seen more heat than the WG side (guess I should drive harder ha ha) - so is in more need of a refinish.
Not sure how hard it would be to polish both tips? But I'm not a blingy guy so fine with factory finish if it's a big pain the a$$.
But what is the factory finish? Any info/tips appreciated.
Thanks-
Brandon
'91 Turbo
#2
Rennlist Member
Hey guys-
So I'm pretty sure the '91's (maybe all?) came with black(?) tips, yes? My actual exhaust tip has of course seen more heat than the WG side (guess I should drive harder ha ha) - so is in more need of a refinish.
Not sure how hard it would be to polish both tips? But I'm not a blingy guy so fine with factory finish if it's a big pain the a$$.
But what is the factory finish? Any info/tips appreciated.
Thanks-
Brandon
'91 Turbo
So I'm pretty sure the '91's (maybe all?) came with black(?) tips, yes? My actual exhaust tip has of course seen more heat than the WG side (guess I should drive harder ha ha) - so is in more need of a refinish.
Not sure how hard it would be to polish both tips? But I'm not a blingy guy so fine with factory finish if it's a big pain the a$$.
But what is the factory finish? Any info/tips appreciated.
Thanks-
Brandon
'91 Turbo
#3
Burning Brakes
I repainted mine several times. Black first (mine is a late 92 production code), and then the second time I did them silver, which on a black car meant they didn't just get 'lost', and was the better of the two options imo. They lasted a good few years each time I did it. Just a case of cleaning them off properly and keying/priming.
I'm not sure they get quite hot enough to need specialist paint, but I had a couple of tins of BBQ/stove paint each time, which gave a nice satin-like finish.
I'm not sure they get quite hot enough to need specialist paint, but I had a couple of tins of BBQ/stove paint each time, which gave a nice satin-like finish.
#4
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Did you paint them silver? trying to picture how that would look vs polishing them...
Yeah agree - thinking black could get lost. Polished could be nice if not too much of a PITA
Brandon
'91 Turbo
Yeah agree - thinking black could get lost. Polished could be nice if not too much of a PITA
Brandon
'91 Turbo
#5
Rennlist Member
They polish up nicely. Mine were polished not painted silver.
#6
Rennlist Member
Mine were a dull faded black when I bought the car (20 yrs ago), and I could see some bright stainless poking thru from underneath, so I decided to polish them, and haven't touched them since.
My car is red, so the polished looks awesome, and thats one thing where I really don't care whether it is quote "factory correct" or not,... its the way I like it, and it stays that way.
... although I will add that no PCA National Concours Judge ever said anything about them being Polished,... so maybe I skated on that one.
My car is red, so the polished looks awesome, and thats one thing where I really don't care whether it is quote "factory correct" or not,... its the way I like it, and it stays that way.
... although I will add that no PCA National Concours Judge ever said anything about them being Polished,... so maybe I skated on that one.
#7
Rennlist Member
Mine were a dull faded black when I bought the car (20 yrs ago), and I could see some bright stainless poking thru from underneath, so I decided to polish them, and haven't touched them since.
My car is red, so the polished looks awesome, and thats one thing where I really don't care whether it is quote "factory correct" or not,... its the way I like it, and it stays that way.
... although I will add that no PCA National Concours Judge ever said anything about them being Polished,... so maybe I skated on that one.
My car is red, so the polished looks awesome, and thats one thing where I really don't care whether it is quote "factory correct" or not,... its the way I like it, and it stays that way.
... although I will add that no PCA National Concours Judge ever said anything about them being Polished,... so maybe I skated on that one.
Last edited by cobalt; 02-20-2024 at 09:57 AM.
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#8
Rennlist Member
I've only ever put my car in preservation. I knew going in I would get deducted for 3 things: the rims, exhaust & being lowered. You may have forgotten back then I was in training to be a National Concours Judge, which I am now (... and at that time I was already about 5 yrs into being one of our local Chesapeake Region PCA Judge). So reading the PCR's was in my nature.
The craziest experience I had at Nationals (I think it was back in 2018), was when the one Judge told me my car had been repainted (his clipboard in hand), I objected & said that it was all original,.... he insisted & started lecturing,... so me being an honest guy (I only do it for the fun), I told him that I had put Ceramic on the paint & that THIS WAS the Preservation Class after all,... and after YEARS of seeing the red paint on my polishing pads, I knew I needed to do something to stop the oxidation & eventual removal of all the paint (cuz I liked to keep it shiny with Carnauba etc),... anyway,... he disqualified my car. When I got the judging notes, it said that I was not allowed to "modify" the paint. Zero points. The NEXT crazy thing that happened at that National PCA Concours, was that the Head Judge came to find Joan & I two days later, and told us that they were going to propose modifications to the PCR to allow for any "rub on" products (which Ceramic is). We had already shrugged it off, but it was nice to hear the apology. Besides, one of my very close friends Manny Alban once told me "Concours is the best parking you can get on the day, for the price of admission, so anything after that is a bonus". We have always just kept it in the "fun" category, and a great place to meet owners of great cars.
The craziest experience I had at Nationals (I think it was back in 2018), was when the one Judge told me my car had been repainted (his clipboard in hand), I objected & said that it was all original,.... he insisted & started lecturing,... so me being an honest guy (I only do it for the fun), I told him that I had put Ceramic on the paint & that THIS WAS the Preservation Class after all,... and after YEARS of seeing the red paint on my polishing pads, I knew I needed to do something to stop the oxidation & eventual removal of all the paint (cuz I liked to keep it shiny with Carnauba etc),... anyway,... he disqualified my car. When I got the judging notes, it said that I was not allowed to "modify" the paint. Zero points. The NEXT crazy thing that happened at that National PCA Concours, was that the Head Judge came to find Joan & I two days later, and told us that they were going to propose modifications to the PCR to allow for any "rub on" products (which Ceramic is). We had already shrugged it off, but it was nice to hear the apology. Besides, one of my very close friends Manny Alban once told me "Concours is the best parking you can get on the day, for the price of admission, so anything after that is a bonus". We have always just kept it in the "fun" category, and a great place to meet owners of great cars.
#9
Rennlist Member
I've only ever put my car in preservation. I knew going in I would get deducted for 3 things: the rims, exhaust & being lowered. You may have forgotten back then I was in training to be a National Concours Judge, which I am now (... and at that time I was already about 5 yrs into being one of our local Chesapeake Region PCA Judge). So reading the PCR's was in my nature.
The craziest experience I had at Nationals (I think it was back in 2018), was when the one Judge told me my car had been repainted (his clipboard in hand), I objected & said that it was all original,.... he insisted & started lecturing,... so me being an honest guy (I only do it for the fun), I told him that I had put Ceramic on the paint & that THIS WAS the Preservation Class after all,... and after YEARS of seeing the red paint on my polishing pads, I knew I needed to do something to stop the oxidation & eventual removal of all the paint (cuz I liked to keep it shiny with Carnauba etc),... anyway,... he disqualified my car. When I got the judging notes, it said that I was not allowed to "modify" the paint. Zero points. The NEXT crazy thing that happened at that National PCA Concours, was that the Head Judge came to find Joan & I two days later, and told us that they were going to propose modifications to the PCR to allow for any "rub on" products (which Ceramic is). We had already shrugged it off, but it was nice to hear the apology. Besides, one of my very close friends Manny Alban once told me "Concours is the best parking you can get on the day, for the price of admission, so anything after that is a bonus". We have always just kept it in the "fun" category, and a great place to meet owners of great cars.
The craziest experience I had at Nationals (I think it was back in 2018), was when the one Judge told me my car had been repainted (his clipboard in hand), I objected & said that it was all original,.... he insisted & started lecturing,... so me being an honest guy (I only do it for the fun), I told him that I had put Ceramic on the paint & that THIS WAS the Preservation Class after all,... and after YEARS of seeing the red paint on my polishing pads, I knew I needed to do something to stop the oxidation & eventual removal of all the paint (cuz I liked to keep it shiny with Carnauba etc),... anyway,... he disqualified my car. When I got the judging notes, it said that I was not allowed to "modify" the paint. Zero points. The NEXT crazy thing that happened at that National PCA Concours, was that the Head Judge came to find Joan & I two days later, and told us that they were going to propose modifications to the PCR to allow for any "rub on" products (which Ceramic is). We had already shrugged it off, but it was nice to hear the apology. Besides, one of my very close friends Manny Alban once told me "Concours is the best parking you can get on the day, for the price of admission, so anything after that is a bonus". We have always just kept it in the "fun" category, and a great place to meet owners of great cars.
Was this prior to 16? I judged preservation in 16, I read he PCR as I recall the only paint concern was 75% original topside paint. Interestingly my co judge was the head of the Parade concours and said it was not a concern. I do know that somehow the winner of the 15 preservation award got away with more than 75% of the car being painted. You didn't need a paint meter to tell it had been. It is after all the worlds most subjective sport. I got screwed in 16 when I was deducted for dust (pollen) when my car was judged 5 hours sitting in a pollen filled field after the other cars and dinged for things that did not exist. Like dirt on the nuts on the inside of my speedlines which there was neither a way to check or any chance it existed. The best was a deduction of 5 full points due to bad math. **** Happens.
Next time you show your turbo at parade I will volunteer for preservation. You will be judged fairly by me.
Last edited by cobalt; 02-20-2024 at 06:28 PM.
#10
Burning Brakes
I think I have some images from when I first refitted them. I'll try to find them.
Iirc, they're not actually stainless; the visible part of the tips is a fairly thin surround around the tailpipe itself.
#11
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Is there a procedure or method or product you guys recommend to get the paint off and polish them?
I don't necessarily want or need them to be perfectly mirror polished - but nice n clean silver will be good.
Thanks again-
Brandon
'91 Turbo
I don't necessarily want or need them to be perfectly mirror polished - but nice n clean silver will be good.
Thanks again-
Brandon
'91 Turbo
Last edited by urquattro20Vt; 02-22-2024 at 04:18 PM.
#12
for a satin finish we use some kind of pad. this produces a perfect finish for inox machine housings used in the industry. so you can simply remove the rest of black paint and give the tips a new finish. no polish as basic needed. we usually use 320 to 600 grid. there is 800 or 1200 too. depends on your need.
#13
Rennlist Member
for a satin finish we use some kind of pad. this produces a perfect finish for inox machine housings used in the industry. so you can simply remove the rest of black paint and give the tips a new finish. no polish as basic needed. we usually use 320 to 600 grid. there is 800 or 1200 too. depends on your need.
So this is a very low mile original Turbo SL in my favorite color. I have to assume that some colors came with polished tips as I always thought. I know my tips looked like this when I bought the car.
#14
gere a picture of this product and an example if the result using the 320 grid. raw stainless steel polished for seconds. should do for a semi mate finish.
#15
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
The silver looks a lot better than black would have
Brandon
'91 Turbo
Brandon
'91 Turbo
Sounds like a scotch bright pads We used them to give a brushed effect on railings and things we made back in aprior life.
So this is a very low mile original Turbo SL in my favorite color. I have to assume that some colors came with polished tips as I always thought. I know my tips looked like this when I bought the car.
So this is a very low mile original Turbo SL in my favorite color. I have to assume that some colors came with polished tips as I always thought. I know my tips looked like this when I bought the car.