79 Exhaust System/Carbon Steel Pipes

[John L.]

I am in the process of cleaning up my original 79 exhaust system.
It is off the car and I am sandblasting the pipes and cleaning up the mufflers. It is a 36,000 mile car, the pipes were rusty as well as someone had painted the crossover pipe silver. So far everyting is looking good, my question is how do I protect the clean pipes? The TI&JM says the pipes are natural carbon steel. Is there any type of coating I can use to protect the pipes? They sure do look good right now, I don't want them to look nasty next month. Thanks

[John L.]

Re: 79 Exhaust System/Carbon Steel Pipes

Has anyone tried Metal-Ready by POR 15? It etches the metal and leaves a clear Zinc Phosphate coating on the pipes. Not sure how long it would protect. Since it comes in a spray bottle it could be reapplied occasionally.
I'm interested what others are doing to protect their pipes.
Thanks

[Harmon C.]

Re: 79 Exhaust System/Carbon Steel Pipes

The sandblasting may cause a loss of points if the finish is not like raw carbon pipe. I would not use any product on them other than a light coat of wd-40,prelube 7 or 303 and then when the pipes heat up it will smoke off but will leave a little protection. They would have had some rust as delivered.