Paint the exhaust??

Wondering if i should paint the new exhaust i just picked up or leave it stock? The reason being i don't want the new one to end up like the old rusted out piece of junk i now own. If anyone has experience with this let me know. It would be greatly appreciated. Wondering if it would get too hot or create backfires in the engine? 2001 Taco SR5 TRD 3.4L

 

Did you get Stainless?

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/media/20160303_102756-1.506631/

 

Alum stainless.

 

Sorry man those are two dif metals that don't mix, do you happen to have a link as to what you bought so we can help?

 

Aluminized Steel not stainless.

 

Correction.

 

Well from what I know that is almost a "standard" material for the exhaust in all cars. It all depends on where you live for the corrosion. How long was the old exhaust on there for by chance?

 

According to the caretaker approximately 7 years. In coastal New England.

 

Yikes well you being on some salty shores that isn't bad for corrosion issues. Now you can paint it but some things to consider, how well will the paint (all needing to be high temp or suffer you will) hold up in your environment, if the old one lasted that long why paint it you can always replace it with better material if you have it that long. Granted this is just my .02 cents but I tend to look at the longer time lines of things when it comes to stuff like this.

 

I thank you for your ideas. They are appreciated greatly. My Tacoma is nearing her later part of her lifespan i believe. I think I will just leave it stock.

 

Not a problem man, Best of luck with the taco! oh and I forgot to mention welcome to TW!

 

I would paint it with some high-heat paint.

 

To @Fenwick1993 point If so make sure to clean it all with denatured alcohol or mineral spirits, let dry. prime with the high heat stuff (a couple of coats should do as the primer is just a "glue" for paint) then coat it all with the high heat paint

 

Welcome to TW, sounds like you have decided on what to do. I would think that the painting the exhaust would help reduce rust from the outside. But I think it would end up still rusting from the inside from emissions and environment. Any extra protection would help in the end. Enjoy her while you have her.

 

Yes, definitely clean and prime before painting.

 

Thank you i am going with no paint just going to make it look stock! Also i was wondering if condensation that builds up in your exhaust should be dripping through a flange or if it should pass all the way through the exhaust and out the tailpipe? It's always come out of my second cat at the flange and that is where i am connecting the rest of the exhaust. Wondering if i should put some exhaust putty patch in that flange before install with the gasket?

 

^ exhaust should be sealed, if water comes out somewhere that is a leak that needs to be fixed

exhaust putty will last one month then whatever you sealed will leak again, it is bogus

if you cannot seal a flange properly with metal gaskets then the flanges need to be cut off and new ones welded in
or that entire assembly needs replacement

if your welds look like this find a new shop


if your welds look like this all is good