Exhaust system finish

[Peter L.]

  Hello all. Getting ready to install the original exhaust back on my KR. Mufflers and pipes are very solid, but after over 50 years they obviously have plenty of surface rust.
Looking for ideas/suggestions. Not going the concours route, but want the exhaust to look fresh again. I would like to apply some kind of finish to preserve it. Perhaps a chemical cleaning and a high heat mat clear. Maybe a natural steel paint?
  Any past experience or ideas would be very much appreciated.
                                        Thanks, Pete.

[Bob Gaines]

  Hello all. Getting ready to install the original exhaust back on my KR. Mufflers and pipes are very solid, but after over 50 years they obviously have plenty of surface rust.
Looking for ideas/suggestions. Not going the concours route, but want the exhaust to look fresh again. I would like to apply some kind of finish to preserve it. Perhaps a chemical cleaning and a high heat mat clear. Maybe a natural steel paint?
  Any past experience or ideas would be very much appreciated.
                                        Thanks, Pete.

Best to get as much rust and scale off first. Given the parameters of your request relatively speaking there are not many options IMO. After surface prep I would go over with a good high temp stainless steel paint. High temp clear does not last as long and does not cover imperfections compared to the high temp stainless steel . This is not for concours but of course if you were doing that you would be starting with fresh new anyway.  If doing exhaust manifolds use a cast iron high temp paint finish. Just my 2 cents.

[Rickmustang]

Big bath of Evapo Rust is a good start. I lined a long rectangular box with drop cloth plastic from Home Depot to do my driveshaft.

[Peter L.]

  Thanks Bob, the high temp stainless steel paint sounds like the way to go. I'm trying to use as many of the original pieces from this car as I can. While the shiny new reproduction parts might be nice, they are just that...reproduction.
          Thanks again, Pete.

[J_Speegle]

Basically remove the rust you can, "kill" the rust you can't then treat as you choose to reduce the chances of it returning sooner than later

Good luck with the tasks and your efforts

[68blk500c]

Big bath of Evapo Rust is a good start. I lined a long rectangular box with drop cloth plastic from Home Depot to do my driveshaft.

Strong second on the EvapORust bath.  Soak shop rags wrapped around pipe for days and days.  Then hand cleaning with Scotch pad (red) then decided if you want raw finish or coated.