Cleaning SS Exhaust Tips - Tools?

J

jaymz

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I have a 2002 SVT Lightning with 4" SS side-exiting exhaust tips (see pic below). They get dirty and I have to clean/polish every few weeks. I'm using Eagle One Wadding and Megs #105 to get the grime off, and occasionally I'll use #0000 steel wool to get after stains.

However, I'm never really satisfied with the results (and the #0000 SW clouds the finish with micro-scratches).

Access is my biggest problem; tips are hard to get at with any sort of a power tool. So, using the Eagle ONe stuff and a soft micro-fiber towel is about all I can manage.

Anyone have any suggestions for a tool or method that will power-buff these tips? Certainly other detailers have to deal this issue.

Thanks,

Jim

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Try using a terry cloth towel to polish metal, I hear you can usually snag one from your local gym :bolt:
 
LegacyGT said:
Try using a terry cloth towel to polish metal, I hear you can usually snag one from your local gym :bolt:
Click to expand...

Thanks, but not really the answer to my question. I can get them shiny, but looking for a tool or method to do a better job.

Jim
 
The Meguiars powercone and some mothers metal polish is what I use on mine. Works like a charm.
 
jaymz said:
Thanks, but not really the answer to my question. I can get them shiny, but looking for a tool or method to do a better job.

Jim
Click to expand...

I think the point was that using a terrycloth towel will work better than the MF towel for polishing. That kinda does answer the question ;)
 
I use a commercial metal polish and an old terrycloth bath towel. I do recognize that this method may not be complicated or expensive enough for some.
 
Exhaust tips can be tricky to polish, especially if they're hard to reach or if there isn't much room to get a power tool in there.

A high quality metal polish, a terry cloth towel, and a little elbow grease usually does the trick. :xyxthumbs:
 
I use the Griot's 3" polisher, P21S polishing soap and a orange pad on really grimy exhaust. I then follow up with a metal polish by hand or if it needs that extra shine, with the 3" polisher again.
 
reality33 said:
I use the Griot's 3" polisher, P21S polishing soap and a orange pad on really grimy exhaust. I then follow up with a metal polish by hand or if it needs that extra shine, with the 3" polisher again.
Click to expand...

Look at the picture, that's not going to help him.
 
I think he's looking to get a mirror finish (like Chrome)..

Maybe a Dremel? with the right extension an tips it should get you there.
 
I think I'm gonna try a pneu die grinder w/some felt wheels of various shapes. Dremel is a possibility if I could find a large enough wheel.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Jim
 
When i work on tips that have little room to work with i take a terry cloth, fold it a couple of times and slide it between the tips on each side. then i grab each side with each hand and go back and forth in a sawing motion. Just imagine you are polishing shoes. Thats the best method Ive come up with. Give it a shot and see if that helps.
 
gsx62391 said:
When i work on tips that have little room to work with i take a terry cloth, fold it a couple of times and slide it between the tips on each side. then i grab each side with each hand and go back and forth in a sawing motion. Just imagine you are polishing shoes. Thats the best method Ive come up with. Give it a shot and see if that helps.
Click to expand...

Basically, my current method.

Jim
 
HeavyMetal said:
I use a commercial metal polish and an old terrycloth bath towel. I do recognize that this method may not be complicated or expensive enough for some.
Click to expand...

:iagree:Some don't accept the fact that a rag and elbow grease works as well if not better than some of the "labor-saving" devices.
 
Is it possible to pop the exhaust hangers out of the rubber straps holding it up? I know on some cars it is pretty easy to pop the metal hanger out of the rubber piece and it will allow the exhaust to drop down a few inches. This might give you enough room to work on the top of the exhaust tips?

Randy
 
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