Cleaning exhaust tips

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flektone

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Anyone have any ideas of how I can get this tip to look almost brand new or is that not even possible? The tip is clean and shiney but as you can see has those little white spots and the big one just to the left of center. They are smooth to the touch and ive tried many products with no luck. Ive used steel wool, megs polish, brillo pad, clay bar, never dull, paint cleaner polish, and lime away.

 
Are those white spots pitted into the metal? Or more topical?
 
Hmmm... I thought those defects are pitted into the metal...

Since you've already tried steel wool, I think the only remaining choice you have is try wetsanding them. If wetsanding doesn't solve this then I honestly don't know what else can fix these.

Here's a good article on how to wet-sand and polish metal surfaces.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...ing-polishing-stainless-steel.html#post336527

I'll try to look for some more how-to articles.

Hope this helps. Please let us know how it works out.
 
Might sound very unorthodox but I've used Sea Foam on a rag and took off all kinds of crap from my tips, since my car runs real rich and I get lots of carbon buildup. Havent had a issue with doing it this way all spring now.
 
I clean my exhaust tips with an apc, right now I am using ARO, scrub them down with a soft brush and hose off. Then I use wenol red and a wool polishing ball on a drill. I finish with collinite metal polish.
 
crrdvr6 said:
I clean my exhaust tips with an apc, right now I am using ARO, scrub them down with a soft brush and hose off. Then I use wenol red and a wool polishing ball on a drill. I finish with collinite metal polish.
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Not to sound negative, but, that's a lot of steps for exhaust tips.... That is one area I'm not anal about. I do wash them with an APC and use a brush etc. to clean the first few inches inside the exhaust tip, then just polish or compound the outside. Once a year use 0000 steel wool for the pits and otherwise just don't fret too much over it. Not gonna' spend 30-45 mins. on exhaust tips. Just don't want them black.
 
shagnat said:
Not to sound negative, but, that's a lot of steps for exhaust tips.... That is one area I'm not anal about. I do wash them with an APC and use a brush etc. to clean the first few inches inside the exhaust tip, then just polish or compound the outside. Once a year use 0000 steel wool for the pits and otherwise just don't fret too much over it. Not gonna' spend 30-45 mins. on exhaust tips. Just don't want them black.
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If it's for your car and you are not that picky... maybe so, I'm that way about my daily driver. But if it's for a customer, or someone who is discerning about their vehicle, every effort should be made to make them look new.

My Mustang has chrome tips from the Borla Exhaust, so obviously those get done differently, but my other cars have stainless tips.

I usually hit them with stainless steel cleaner and a terry cloth, then go over them again with 0000 steel wool. Rinse and repeat until desired results. After that, I'll hit them with some QD or last time I actually used 476.

Honda Fit


Malibu LTZ
 
I guess there is some pitting. I wet sanded with 400, 600, 800, 1000, and 2000. It took out that really big spot just left of center in the pic. But there still some small tiny spots left. Any way to get rid of pitting? If not they at least look a little better then before.
 
shagnat said:
Not to sound negative, but, that's a lot of steps for exhaust tips.... That is one area I'm not anal about. I do wash them with an APC and use a brush etc. to clean the first few inches inside the exhaust tip, then just polish or compound the outside. Once a year use 0000 steel wool for the pits and otherwise just don't fret too much over it. Not gonna' spend 30-45 mins. on exhaust tips. Just don't want them black.
Click to expand...

Takes me 15 minutes max. I'm not worried about about people here sounding negative. They lurk on all forums. My way is better because it is quicker or cheaper or more looks better. Whatever. I just post what works for me.
 
crrdvr6 said:
Takes me 15 minutes max. I'm not worried about about people here sounding negative. They lurk on all forums. My way is better because it is quicker or cheaper or more looks better. Whatever. I just post what works for me.
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Wasn't trying to step on your toes at all. I apologize if it came across that way. If it only takes 15 mins. you've got it down to a science. congrats! :buffing:
 
paul_g said:
Or you could be silly like me, and work on a very neglected car, try to polish the tail tips, and find out that is NOT years worth of carbon build-up, they're actually painted flat black.... DOH!!!
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Lol I bet you were mad! Can you plasti dip exhaust tips or will it melt off?
 
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