After finding out that your old car's catalytic converter contains precious metals that can yield a good amount of money, you may have decided that you want to recycle the part separately when you go to scrap the vehicle. However, if you want to increase your chances of receiving a high quote on the price, you need to do a couple of things before you take the piece to the recycling center.
1. Collect the Necessary Information about the Car
Before you try to recycle the catalytic converter, the first thing that you will need to do is to collect certain information about the vehicle from which you took it. This information includes the car's make, model, and year.
The reason why you need information about the car is that it lets the recycling service know the exact catalytic converter for which to offer a price. The amount of precious metals such as platinum that is contained within the part varies from each manufacturer as well as the model and year.
Also, you should try to find out whether the catalytic converter is the original, especially if you purchased the car used. Aftermarket catalytic converters may contain different amounts of precious metals than the original, so the recycling center will want to know.
If you are uncertain, you can write down the serial number found on the part and give it to the service's representative. They can then look up the number to determine whether the catalytic converter is original or an aftermarket part.
2. Clean the Catalytic Converter before Taking It to the Recycling Center
Once you have the information gathered, the next thing that you will need to do is clean the catalytic converter. This does not mean that you need to wash it with soap and water, however.
What cleaning the part does mean is that you should remove any attached parts that are not part of the catalytic converter itself, such as the exhaust pipes. If the center does not have to pay someone to remove these pieces, they will be more likely to give you a higher amount for the piece.
Using the tips above before recycling your catalytic converter can help the process go smoother as well as help ensure that you get an accurate price for the piece. If you have any further questions, contact a catalytic converter recycling service in your area, like Morgan Recycling LLC, to speak with a representative.