just had a new freeflow muffler installed on my civic esi. it is done in chrome finish and i wanted to have the new hangers welded on to it to make it look "clean" and unobtrusive to the design.

the shop that i had it installed in made a bracket that wraps around the muffler and this is where the hangers are attached. the guy tells me that this cannot be welded using the acetylene method since there will be some damage done to the finish and strength of the chrome. this bracket is made out of simple sheet metal and just painted in silver. it distorts the straight continuity of a chrome look.

is he right about the effects of acetylene welding on this or he might be too lazy to do it over again?

 

I usually just turn the power way down on the welder and MIG them to the side of the muffler. Just be careful not to burn through.

 

acetylene welding? Is the guy running his shop out of a cave? haha the chrome has to be removed before welding. Also the heat will cause it to bubble and flake. You would have to get it rechromed if you did. why don't you just use a polished stainless strap around it?

 

even with the welder set on the lowest setting and with insulation on the opposite side the chrome will still be affected. I had to do a tack on something before and even with a sarah blanket on the other side it still screwed the chrome up