Correct exhaust paint color on 72 911

[Perry911]

Gentlemen,

I'm looking for recommendations on what kind of product to use to refinish my exhaust system. Mine is not rusty, however has a lot of discoloration.

I believe the correct color is a light gray. I have used Bill Hirsch exhaust/manifold paints on my 230SL and had great success, however, they don't seem to have the right color option for the 911.

Thanks to all who may have any recommendations.

Cheers.

1972 911T Coupe Albert Blue
1965 230SL Light Ivory/Green

[John Z Goriup]

I think you'll find the first attached photograph to be a very accurate depiction of the correct flat light-gray with which the Auspuffs on early 911s were finished.

I also believe that you'll have to look far and wide to find anything that comes closer to the factory gray than VHT (very high temperature ) paint. Even though it comes out of a spray can, it does a surprisingly good job for a surprisingly long time......but you'll have to follow the instructions to the letter, especially the clean and free-of-grease admonishments ( even oily finger-prints will leave dark smudges).......and it will eventually discolor, especially if you drive a lot in the wet.

I believe your only other alternative is to have the damned thing media-blasted & "powder-coated" in the latest high-temp ceramic material, since the traditional Jet-Hot, authentic looking light gray powder-coating process was deemed toxic and made illegal a couple of years ago. Perhaps you can find a powder-coater who still does it on a clandestine basis on the side behind closed doors.....I sure wasn't able to locate anyone after what I thought was a pretty thorough search and blatantly generous offers of bribe money.

I've attached another photo ( of the ass-end of my own car ) of my recently powder-coated muffler with the above-mentioned ceramic coating. Unlike traditional powder-coating, this is a liquid material, sprayed on and baked in the same ovens at the same temperatures....but it has an ever so slightly metallic appearance due to tiny ceramic particles. I have been assured it will not discolor and that it lasts forever. I guess I can get used to the slightly reflective shine.

Good Luck

[hgarazo]

John,

I would love to see a pic of that muffler with the rear bumper mounted.

I was thinking of doing the same thing - the meg look with a muffler for the street.

Thanks,
Henry

[John Z Goriup]

John,

I would love to see a pic of that muffler with the rear bumper mounted.

Henry

And indeed you shall,......in a while, after I get all the bits back from various
shops & specialists who are getting everything ready for me to mount and finish Ruprecht.

[gled49]

I've used VHT SP-104 for 25 years with good results. 1500 degree paint holds up good. I use it on brake rotor hats as well. The color is a little lite but the closest I could find. Gordon

[mrg3.6]

I've attached another photo ( of the ass-end of my own car ) of my recently powder-coated muffler with the above-mentioned ceramic coating.

John,

Fantastic looking muffler, love the tips - where did you get the work done and what does it sound like?

Martin

[John Z Goriup]

That's a Dansk stainless steel replacement muffler that was opened up like a sardine can and modified per the suggested plan which I believe was posted on this board a couple of years ago based on a design by Bruce Anderson,....or maybe it was Jerry Woods.

In any event, the work was performed by Tom Martenot, a local 911 guru (Deutsche Motor Sport ), who built my power train, with a few of his own modifications to the above original sketch.

The outlet pipes I made myself in their entirety. First I ordered a 3' long section of 3"O.D., S.S. .060 wall thickness tubing, with a 3" radius 180 degree U-bend in the middle. I wanted the outlet pipes to be mounted low while pointing up slightly to retain drive-way clearance at the tip because I did not wish to notch or modify the license plate panel. The reason for the U-bend was to provide a curved profile to allow me to trim and flare the exhaust tips into the bottom portion of the muffler when viewed from the side. Please see attached photos, the first of the finished muffler, the second with only one new exhaust pipe installed, for comparison with original configuration..

What I particularly like is the sound. It's louder than stock, not as deep as an M&K set-up, not nearly as loud as a S.S. Dansk Sport muffler, with a nice RSR -type "metallic" tone. The real pleasure comes on the highway......no drone or resonance whatsoever. None......not at any RPM. I can easily carry on a conversation and never be bothered or fatigued by any intrusive exhaust noise.

The “cookie-cutter” inserts I fabricated from .060" thick stainless steel. The individual “fins” are about 4" long., and are all identical. I used a 1-1/4" O.D. center tube, 6" long and had Tom weld it all up into two “rosettes”. Then I carefully trimmed them on a belt sander until they were a perfect slip fit into the exhaust tip and had Tom bronze-weld them in place.

[karlusmagnus]

Great stuff John. I think you should set up a site or blog, dedicated to Ruprecht, for all the little extra cool details that you have done.