Sandblasting an expansion pipe?

[Super350]

So i have a 250R pipe im going to redo. Its an fmf fatty and all rusted up. I was gonna blast and re-paint it. Can i use just any old medium for blasting and when i do should i try to plug the ends? Does it mater if i get medium in the pipe? Its used so it will prolly stick in there is my thought due to oil build up. Thanks

[El Camexican]

Not sure about the medium, but I've seen sheet metal get pretty bent up when sand blasting, so take care if you go that route. I'd plug the ends with rags and then steam clean it before you use it. If ANY sand is in there you'll trash your engine. That said maybe you can get it blasted with dry ice or walnut shells and do the inside as well? Seems the safer option.

[HarrisoN*]

can you not get it chemically dipped?

or just burn the oil residue out of the pipe with oxy-acetylene before hand.

[kawasaki666]

Find a local radiator shop, and have them let your pipe sit in there hot oil tank, over night. $20 bucks, and my Tecate pipe was super clean, inside and out!

[Super350]

Find a local radiator shop, and have them let your pipe sit in there hot oil tank, over night. $20 bucks, and my Tecate pipe was super clean, inside and out!

I like the sound of that...after that process is it paintable? i was just gonna hit it with some hi temp rattle paint

[Super350]

Or if i dont paint it and leave it bare metal..what can i use to keep it protected from rusting...i have a dg national that wasnt chromed or anything but i dont know what they use as a coating on them. thanks guys

[HarrisoN*]

you can buy clear hi temp paint or just keep polishing it every week/every other week.

[kawasaki666]

After the Oil Tank, your still gonna have some light sanding/wire wheel to do, depending how stubborn that rust it. I used Super Clean (purple antifreeze looking bottle) to get the oil residue off. Rattle canned it with High Temp paint!

[Super350]

anyone know what dg uses? i wanna say i heard it was chain wax. i like the nice gold coloring it gives it

[mdunn]

I just bead blasted my tecate pipe, plugging off both ends. After that, I wiped it down with wax and grease remover and primed it with duplicolor 500deg cermaic primer and finished it off with the duplicolor 500deg ceramic satin black. it turned out nice. I have heat cycled the new engine 3 times now and it still looks great so far.
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