Aluminumized steel?

[CyFi6]

Sorry for the noobness, but i read that aluminumized steel is steel coated with alluminum. I am looking to build my own exhaust, im going to be buying the pipe locally (steel) and the mandrel bends from summit, thing is, the ones i want to buy say "aluminumized steel". Can these be welded strait to steel or do i need regular steel bends? Does stainless only weld to stainless and does it require some sory of special welding? THanks a bunch.

 

[Fozbo]

They are fine to weld, might just wire brush the immediate spot you are going to weld. The aluminumized steel resists rusting better than just mild steel. I made my exhaust with mild steel mandrel bends (found some for cheap) and a long section of aluminumized steel; the bends have rusted over in the spots that didn't get much paint, but the aluminumized section is hanging in there fine.

 

[CyFi6]

ok thank you very much

 

[GC89]

Aluminized is fine and actually better if your not painting it. If its getting coated make sure it gets blasted good first. Stay away from stainless unless your an experiences welder. Its a bit of a PITA and there are many types of stainless that will lose the stainless quality when heated, which defeats the purpose a bit.

 

[CyFi6]

so you reccomend i sandblast it before welding it up if im going to be painting it with some normal high heat paint? Or should i just paint over it?

 

[GC89]

no where you plan to weld with a wire brush, then wipe it down with some paint thinner or acitone an paint it, you'll be fine. If you ever plan to powder or ceramic coat aluminized steel you want to give it a good sand blasting first, paint is fine.

 

[wildfire0310]

thanks to everyone I had the same question.

 

[MDCmotorsports]

Also, be careful when welding aluminized - the fumes that come off of it are not good for you. :-(