Chrome falling off the muffler

[bateto_007]

The chrome from the exhaust tips started to fall off. How can this be fixed? I think the tips are welded on and can't be removed?

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[Jaymar]

That chrome came off because of the underlying corrosion in the metal underneath. Not much you can do to repair short of stripping, treating and rechroming which wouldn't be worth the effort. It would probably be cheaper to just find an axleback you like. If that is a no go, then clean it up with steel wool and wax it or treat with marine jelly. Wax route will take constant recoating and always look whitish but blend better while marine jelly will turn it black and be a better long term fix.

 

[ChitownStang]

Same thing starting to happen on mine.
I just used some Turtle Wax Chrome Polish. Didn't fix it but damn the rest of the tips look good! LOL

 

[SL8888]

Same thing starting to happen on mine.
I just used some Turtle Wax Chrome Polish. Didn't fix it but damn the rest of the tips look good! LOL

That's kind of sad, I thought they were all stainless tips.
Guess that ford went "On the Cheap".

 

[GregO]

That’s happening to OEM tips ?

 

[ChitownStang]

I will tell you this, when I run E85 during the summer months, the inside of my tips stay very clean.

 

[bateto_007]

Give me some online store that has a choice? Where can I get original ones (the same ones)? I can give them anti-corrosion treatment, chrome plating and then I will install them.

 

[robvas]

Do you drive this in the snow/salt?

 

[bateto_007]

Do you drive this in the snow/salt?

Never

 

[CrazyHippie]

Gasoline/Ethanol + oxygen + spark yields carbon dioxide + water. So the inside of the exhaust is constantly bathed in water while running. Water + cheap Ford chrome yields corrosion.

 

[GregO]

@bateto_007
@ChitownStang
Is there any rust on the outside of the tips or is the rust isolated to just the inside and tapered transition ?

 

[bateto_007]

The rust is isolated only on the inside. Where the pictures are.

 

[GregO]

The rust is isolated only on the inside. Where the pictures are.

Ok
I might have an idea what’s going on here.
Are you sure it’s actually chrome plating failure or could the rust be iron formation on the surface ?

My guess is the inside tubing is a 400 series stainless that is formed and welded at the tapered transition to a 304 stainless outer tip.
Gibson exhaust and others will do that to cut costs. My Gibson 4.5” tips formed surface iron deposits on the inside while the outer diameter is rust free almost 6 years and exposed to all seasons.

 

[bateto_007]

Ok
I might have an idea what’s going on here.
Are you sure it’s actually chrome plating failure or could the rust be iron formation on the surface ?

I'm not 100% sure about that.

 

[GregO]

I'm not 100% sure about that.

Well for now without causing additional damage try taking a rag and Flitz or aluminum wheel polish and by hand try polishing out the rust deposit.
If the inside is 400 series the rust should polish out. If it is actually chrome plated you’ll feel the rag catching the failing chrome plating edges.

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