I have recently purchased a used y-pipe off this site, and it is covered in some surface rust due to use. I was wondering if there was a good way to clean the y-pipe's outside, and if it would be worth it to paint it with some high temp paint(to protect against further corrosion). Also should/could I clean out the inside of the pipe? I just want this thing to last me a few worry free miles, but I don't exactly have the funds to get it coated.

BTW, I'm sorry if this is in the wrong forum, but this is the only one I could think of it fitting in.

i would say just wire brush the hell out of it.

most aftermarket Ypipes i've seen (i'm assuming you're installing an aftermarket piece) are either aluminized or stainless.

i would wirebrush the crap out of it and buy a few cans of silver or black hi-temp exhaust paint. bout the only thing short of coating that i can think of.

The paint will help, it probably won't last more than a year or so. If you have acess to a sand blaster that would work great.

Sherwin-Williams sells this special spray paint that's heat resistant to some pretty high temps, but I can't recall it offhand. It comes in a spray can and it's like $7. I'd look into that.

http://www.carrestoration.com/por15.html all you need to know about protecting under body parts.