Basics: How To Clean You Exhaust Tips

[parttimer]

I have found for my SRT and RAM a few squirts of Megs Chrome wheel cleaner followed up with a soapy towel makes them look like new. For the polishing step I also found if you fold a MF towel long ways in 4, then put your polish long ways you can wrap the towel around the pipe and polish like a shoe shiner would. Also allows you to wrap pretty much all the way around the tip.

[FUNX650]

I've found that by using one of the: "Powerball-ish/Flitz Ball-ish/Cotton-Buff-ish" drill attachments
makes for an easier exhaust tips polishing session....Especially for the inside surfaces of the tips.




Simichrome Polish works wonders on SS as the "final polish"!!




Bob

[parttimer]

nice tips

[statusdetailing]

Excellent article. I knew people were gonna freak about the steel wool. I don't make regular use out of it, but I keep some in my drawer for extreme cases and never had a problem with it. I never reuse a piece of steel wool, as it just rusts.

I also use the daytonna brush. What a versatile tool!

[KillaCam]

Anyone have any experience wet sanding stainless exhaust tips then polishing them to a mirror shine? From what I understand stainless is a lot harder than something like aluminum. My stainless tips have sanding marks in them I want to get out.

[Pureshine]

Great review I've been using steel wool for years never an issue with rust ever. I'll have to get a daytonna brush for sure and Meg's metal polish is great too.

[FUNX650]

Anyone have any experience wet sanding stainless exhaust tips then polishing them to a mirror shine?
From what I understand stainless is a lot harder than something like aluminum.

My stainless tips have sanding marks in them I want to get out.

-Remember that, although "harder" than something like aluminum...
there is just a thin SS-"coating" that's present.

-You really should be looking into getting a stainless steel
polishing kit that will include the following:

"Emery"/Compounds:
Black Emery, Brown Tripoli, and Green (Stainless Steel)

The following "tools"...(with: Suggested types/sizes):
-Spiral sewn buffing wheels (2 1/2" and 4")
-Loose cotton buffing wheels (3" and 4")
-Assortment of felt cones (1" L x 3/4" W)
-Tapered buffs (2" x 2")
-Cylinder buffs (1 3/4" x 1 3/4")
-Mushroom buffing wheels (3")

Time consuming...But, IMO: Worth it!!



Bob

[KillaCam]

-Remember that, although "harder" than something like aluminum...
there is just a thin SS-"coating" that's present.

-You really should be looking into getting a stainless steel
polishing kit that will include the following:

"Emery"/Compounds:
Black Emery, Brown Tripoli, and Green (Stainless Steel)

The following "tools"...(with: Suggested types/sizes):
-Spiral sewn buffing wheels (2 1/2" and 4")
-Loose cotton buffing wheels (3" and 4")
-Assortment of felt cones (1" L x 3/4" W)
-Tapered buffs (2" x 2")
-Cylinder buffs (1 3/4" x 1 3/4")
-Mushroom buffing wheels (3")

Time consuming...But, IMO: Worth it!!



Bob

I've already looked into the polishing kit and I'm going to get one. So wet sanding wouldn't be a good choice? Just skip to the compounds?

[parttimer]

I've already looked into the polishing kit and I'm going to get one. So wet sanding wouldn't be a good choice? Just skip to the compounds?

Did you check hf for the kit? Last I looked it was like $18

Sent from my LG-E970 using Tapatalk 2

[DMark1]

I had my 2013 Ford Fusion Opti-Coated when it was new, including the exhaust tips. Now, they come clean just with simple soap and water during my regular wash. I do use a seperate mitt for the bottom of the car, 2 buckets with grit guards, and I wash the back of the car last.