I just welded some new catalytic converters on and was checking for leaks and found a small hole in one of the welds of my SLP 1 3/4 headers. I thought these were stainless steel and supposed to last a long time? I've only had them 4-5 years. The hole was very hard to spot on the outside but once I tried to weld over it I burned through the pipe all the way around. I guess it's rusting from the inside. Would this be covered under warranty?

 

yes should be, contact them.

should last for a lifte time as they say.

SLP Stainless Steel Headers:
Will make up to 20 additional horsepower.
Are Street Legal in ALL 50 States, where noted, E.O. D-187-10, E.O. D-187-7.
Covered by our Performance Guarantee.
Provide possible fuel economy improvements depending on your driving style.
Are an easy, bolt-on installation.
Compatible with all factory emission equipment where noted.
Will improve 0-60 MPH and 1/4 mile performance.
Are crafted from mandrel bent .055" wall thickness 409 stainless steel tubing for smooth uninterrupted exhaust flow.
Have 3/8" thick, investment cast 304 stainless steel flanges for better sealing and long life.
Covered by our Limited Lifetime Warranty.

 

my coating has started turning brown, its got me worried but they said the coating wouldnt crack / chip off.

still mad it lost its luster, but o well.

 

You should be able to polish the coating back to new. I know I am able to on my Air Born Coatings coated headers with the care instructions they gave. So I would imagine most coatings are a like, but im sure knowing slp, they used the cheapest coating possible. But with my air born coating, it still looks Very close to new after 4 years.

 

Can 409 Stainless Steel rust?

 

If 409 is what slp headers are made of then yes 409 will turn slightly brown from rust.

edit
Just saw above that slps are 409 so uncoated slp headers do turn slightly brown.

 

"turn slightly brown" leads me to believe they will NOT eventually rot like mild steel. Is that correct.

 

99% of the headers are still in good condition, it's just one weld near the end of the pipe where it bends towards the cats. It looks different from the other welds on the headers, it's flatter and about 1/2" across. I'll take a pic of it when I change out the collector gaskets this weekend.