[reno4u2]

I have what I believe to be the original muffler on my 560SL. Manufactured by Gillet with a (guessing) build date of 7/87.

No problems with the muffler except the appearance…dull and dingy. To me it stands out like a sore thumb.

Rather than replace it I’m thinking of painting it. Has anyone done this? I know it would take a lot of “elbow grease” cleaning it and some type of hi-temp spray primer and spray paint. Many companies offer hi-temp primer and paint so finding it is not a problem. Suggestions welcome…

 

[cwmoser]

I'm glad you brought this up. I too have been pondering on painting my Muffler too.
Black that is and also add a couple of Chrome tail pipe extensions.
Not sure if just sawing off the tail pipe ends is all that is required as the
pipe tends to bend just as it comes out the Muffler.
I saw an R107 with chrome tail pipe extensions and I thought it looked great.



Carl

 

[Fonzi]

I prefer the turned down original style tips. I will hopefully inspect what happened to this muffler when I get the car home:

I've got a good looking original style one from my 1972 part out car. I'm not sure if it will ever get used.

I know this sounds like a stupid answer to the original question but, I would probably just spray it with the high temp flat black wood stove paint I have sitting in my garage in a rattle can. Being flat black, it doesn't do anything but simply freshen up the look. It doesn't stand out at all. I think it helps keep surface rust at bay too (which surely isn't too much of a problem in the desert as long as the car always gets hot enough to boil out any exhaust steam).

 

[cwmoser]

Fonzi, have you found yet another 280SL?

 

[MBGraham]

Rather than replace it I’m thinking of painting it. Has anyone done this?

I painted the entire exhaust system on my 85 300D (black). I used a POR-15 clone that is sold at NAPA Canada. You can get POR-15 in silver. You would not need too much prep work. Just remove loose rust, deoil and scuff up surface and apply!

POR-15 will take temperatures on exhaust. I did use their High Temperature silver on my SL's exhaust manifolds. Has stood up well - no change at all in appearance over more than 10 yrs. No need for overcoating under car.

BTW, mercedessource had a video of Kent painting the exhaust on an otherwise original car. He sells and uses Miracle Paint which, like POR is a moisture cure polyurethane.

 

[ChiefRider]

There is no need to overthink this one.

Hardware store hi-temp flat-black paint, nearly any name brand. I think I used a Rustoleum product last time. You don't even need to do much prep, wipe it down with a damp rag and let it dry. Road grit and the heat of the muffler keep it pretty clean and free of grease.

Paint it. A few passes with the spray can and you are done. Period. I did this with my 560SL and it does a nice job of making the muffler unnoticeable. Never any problems with peeling over several years. Also did it to my 280. Easy and looks great. Like I said, don't waste a lot of time on which products and how to prep, it's wasted time and effort.

 

[CA-280SL]

Fonzi, have you found yet another 280SL?

Carl, that is fonzi 5 speed manual whic he recently purchased.

(I think its the 5 spd)

 

[reno4u2]

MBG...Chief...great advice and thank you. It does sound like I was over-thinking it. Sounds pretty labor un-intensive (if that's a word).

 

[highleymd]

Muffler paint

I recently installed an OEM muffler on my 83 500SL. The OEM paint is dark blue semi-gloss (?eggshell), not black. It makes the rear muffler very unobtrusive and what you do see has that factory look---perfect.

 

[ozark1]

Mr. Moser..My '79 has the turned down tips. Found chrome plated brass tips on ebay. Perfect fit..No cutting..!

 

[cwmoser]

Mr. Moser..My '79 has the turned down tips. Found chrome plated brass tips on ebay. Perfect fit..No cutting..!

The Muffler tips turn downward. Did the tips you purchased look horizontal?
I want the look to be horizonal and not downward.

BTW, is that Ebay listing still there?

Thanks

Carl

 

[ozark1]

My car had a new muffler when I bought it.Curved tips..so that's what I bought. There are usually several straight chrome tips on Ebay. Would need to cut the curve off..Ebay #...230506794800..

 

[isthisdave]

There is no need to overthink this one.

When I first got my SLC the muffler was covered with surface rust but was sound. Had an old can of stove black in the garage rafters, dug thru the accumulated dust and found it, and sapped a coat on every bit of muffler and exhaust pipe I could reach. Couple years later installed an Ansa replacement, took one look at the new silver turd hanging out the car's ass, and up the garage ladder I went for that can of stove black...


Disappeared that muffler again just fine.

 

[dugald]

I used a can of BBQ paint. No prep. Just sprayed it on.

 

[cwmoser]

... took one look at the new silver turd hanging out the car's ass, and up the garage ladder I went for that can of stove black...

Disappeared that muffler again just fine.

I like the way you express this. I too think my silver muffler looks like
a turd hanging out the car's ass

 

[MBGraham]

I used a can of BBQ paint. No prep. Just sprayed it on.

BBQ paint is fine if you only want to change the colour.

If you want to prevent further rusting, a POR-15 type paint will help a lot. I used black DOM-16 (which is similar) on complete exhaust system on 300D.

 

[PanzerPuff]

My 1980 has a stainless exhaust installed by the PO.
I just noticed it is painted black. Truly not noticed but obviously bugged the PO

 

[ChiefRider]

My 1980 has a stainless exhaust installed by the PO.
I just noticed it is painted black. Truly not noticed but obviously bugged the PO

I think the mufflers should be painted black; if not, they really do look like crap, visible as they are.