The Ford Barn

rustyparts · 08-12-2025, 04:45 PM

Is the muffler painted black end to end or just plain steel ? May 1930 cabriolet

alexiskai · 08-12-2025, 05:09 PM

They were plain steel from the factory, but they'll rust in a heartbeat if you do that.

mass A man · 08-12-2025, 05:34 PM

I was under the impression they were coated with a type of blacking, that wasn't too permanent also.

alexiskai · 08-12-2025, 05:38 PM

JS says "unfinished"

nkaminar · 08-12-2025, 08:55 PM

People on the barn have reported problems with the stainless steel mufflers and tail pipes because of the different rate of thermal expansion. The plain steel ones will rust but not bad if you park in a garage. They get hot while you are driving so any water splashed on them will evaporate. It is really only a serious problem if you keep your car outdoors or in a wet barn. I have a dehumidifier in my garage that keeps the relative humidity at 50% even if the outside is at 100%. The muffler wrap that is sold in the auto parts stores will also help to keep them from rusting.

Gary WA · 08-12-2025, 09:04 PM

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I use a flat black heat resistant engine paint or barbecue paint never have rusted in 30 years.

JayJay · 08-12-2025, 09:31 PM

The steel Aries mufflers come from the factory painted black. First time you start up after installing one you know that there is paint involved. Phew!

08-12-2025, 04:45 PM	#1
rustyparts Member Join Date: Mar 2023 Posts: 30	Muffler Is the muffler painted black end to end or just plain steel ? May 1930 cabriolet

08-12-2025, 05:09 PM	#2
alexiskai Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Mebane NC Posts: 2,849	Re: Muffler They were plain steel from the factory, but they'll rust in a heartbeat if you do that.

08-12-2025, 05:34 PM	#3
mass A man Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Danvers, Ma. Posts: 794	Re: Muffler I was under the impression they were coated with a type of blacking, that wasn't too permanent also.

08-12-2025, 05:38 PM	#4
alexiskai Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Mebane NC Posts: 2,849	Re: Muffler JS says "unfinished"

08-12-2025, 08:55 PM	#5
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 5,869	Re: Muffler People on the barn have reported problems with the stainless steel mufflers and tail pipes because of the different rate of thermal expansion. The plain steel ones will rust but not bad if you park in a garage. They get hot while you are driving so any water splashed on them will evaporate. It is really only a serious problem if you keep your car outdoors or in a wet barn. I have a dehumidifier in my garage that keeps the relative humidity at 50% even if the outside is at 100%. The muffler wrap that is sold in the auto parts stores will also help to keep them from rusting. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

08-12-2025, 09:31 PM	#7
JayJay Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 2,110	Re: Muffler The steel Aries mufflers come from the factory painted black. First time you start up after installing one you know that there is paint involved. Phew! __________________ JayJay San Francisco Bay Area ------------------------ 1930 Murray Town Sedan 1931 Briggs S/W Town Sedan It isn't a defect, it's a feature!