Grea site - It's nice to be among the Z owners here! I recently bought a 2004 Touring coupe with 24k miles. I got a great deal and I love the car. I do, hoever, have a large 4"x4" area of rust on the top right part of my muffler. I brought it to the dealer and they tell me that rust is normal wear and tear, and not covered by warranty. I asked them if they suggest I sand out the rust on he tank and paint it with rustoleum grill paint. They told me not to paint it because it will cause the muffler to rust from the inside.

Has anyone heard this before and can I paint my muffler without causing damage?

 

hmmm.....wondering also as my muffler is showing signs of wear and tear

 

Well seeing that I'm the guru at everything... ill take a punt at this one!

Yes. Yes thats correct..

 

^How exactly would it make it rust from the inside if you put rust inhibiting paint on the outside?

 

The exhaust is made of a steel called Twikni Steel - which has a layer covered over the top for easy ventilation, now by covering the top layer with any sort of paint, actually traps the steel from ventalating, and so wears inside...

 

now is the time to upgrade.

 

a. You could paint the muffler with heat-resistant paint.

b. Or someone local may have an OEM muffler.

c. Maybe it is time for a stainless steel catback exhaust system.

 

I painted the muffler on my integra at least 4 different times over a 50,000 mile period and I never had a problem with it.

I used engine paint.

 

(pennies)INTEGRA(pennies)....($)350Z($)<<<<Do you see the difference. Just because it worked on your integra...doesnt mean it would work on the Z....lol...Its time to get an exhaust my friend.

 

trauma--btw just see if any Z shops have one laying around. Or just get a new exhaust...(thats what I did)......do you work at Baltimore Shock???

 

the muffler already is rusting on the inside.. most likely... or sooner or later it will happen. Paint it and show us the results. New stock exhaust is cheap on this forum.

 

Yeah - I work at shock, and several other hospitals in the area. I'm an ER doc.

anyone have an idea how much a stainless steel catback will cost? how about OEM? I've looked at a few sites but can't get a quote...

 

Upgrade ---or if u want , there is a Galvanized paint that comes in a spray can that works well--Welders us it when they weld galvanized pipe--Iv used it and its the real thing--Not real cheap but good

 

I considered that --but I think he said it was on the top so I figured it was just natural exterior rust

 

Its a sign to get an aftermarket exhaust. You should follow these signs.

 

A OEM exhaust might be free for a local pick-up. Check the regional forum. Unfortunately my OEM exhaust is at the dump.

For catback exhaust system recommendations, check the exhaust forum.

 

Get an aftermarket exhaust. Problem solved.

 

I painted my muffler last year with high temp paint. Still looking good and holding up quite well. I'll let you guys know if it ever rusts out but don't hold your breath.