512 BBi Muffler Refinish

I want to refinish the four original mufflers on my Boxer, 512 BBi 1984. The OEM coating has a light, bronze-gold finish to it. Can anyone tell me what type of finish htis is and who, if anyone, could refinish them?

Clint

 

I doubt there is an actual "coating" on the mufflers. They are made from a low grade stainless steel, and over time and heat cycles they will turn the colors you mention. Not sure what you could do except try and "polish" them with an abrasive....that would take a lot of work and because of the grade of stainless it will never look really nice. Another option is to clean the exhaust peices up and paint them the color you want. It won't look natural but it will look good.

 

I've pondered this, and you maybe right - it's just that the distinct coloration suggests a coating. My Boxer currently has an AmeriSpec-installed Borla exhaust. I have acquired an OEM system with the goal of restoring the orginality.

 

I don't mean to hijack the thread at all, but I have an OEM Ansa system for a 512BBi that has been jet coated and was used for only minimal miles, if it is of any interest.

 

Being a concours judge I have seen many attempts at restoring the finish on those mufflers.

Sorry to say but I have yet to see anything that even remotely looks good or right. The natural brown patina should be left in my opinion.

 

I just read this in some magazine over the weekend....

Stainless steel that has been sandblasted to natural then ages to the distinctive bronze colored patina.....

Who knows what car... I was reading about everything from the new Lambos to Jay Lenos vintage Bugattis.

This would suggest the proper "resto" would be to blast the crap out of it, and let it bronze over again.......zero net sum gain, as Rifledriver points out!!

 

I have seen many bead blasted. They look horrible and the metal finish will never be the same. The smooth surface is gone.

 

So the OEM finish is simply the mill finish of the tubing???

Seems simple enough.....

I know the bikes and speed boats worry all the time, about their chrome......answer is simple, "don't turn the key".....

 

Neither type of OEM exhaust/mufflers on a Boxer were stainless...The OEM 'non-sport' exhaust/mufflers were left natural cold-rolled steel and the OEM 'sport' exhaust/mufflers were painted back

 

Correct! I know this for a fact because i had some rust out spots on mine. After lots of welding done i sent them out to be Jet coated chrome/silver. I wish i left them stock because if any oil leaks drip on the Jet coatings they are permantly stained.