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Cleaning crusty exhaust tips?

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Old Jun 14, 2017 | 10:35 AM
  #1  
Squirrelly's Avatar
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Cleaning crusty exhaust tips?

While I've always meticulously washed & waxed, I've given little attention to my exhaust tips... Thus, they are rather crusty and blackened. I've tired a couple of products like wheel cleaners and even taken a Brillo pad to them. But I've only been able to get them about 50% clean and shiny.

Anybody know a surefire method to clean exhaust tips?
 
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Old Jun 14, 2017 | 02:26 PM
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are they dirty

or 'cooked'?

you can clean dirty

can't clean cooked ..... (by cooked I'm referring to 'blueing' from heat ... ya can't polish this out.)

same thing as wheel brake dust

if you get it off when fresh ... no biggie

let it cook in ..... game over, it is there unless you grind it off and then you have another issue .....
 

Last edited by Capt_bj; Jun 15, 2017 at 08:59 AM.
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Old Jun 14, 2017 | 04:34 PM
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rtowell's Avatar
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It can be done but it's not easy. One option is to use oven cleaner (just don't get it on your paint).
 
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Old Jun 14, 2017 | 04:58 PM
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For Clean your exhaust use Labocosmetica #Cronos
It's a fantastic product specifically formulated for Wash and decarbonize exhaust.
labocosmetica its an Italian Brand ..i dont know if you can find it in America
I buy on this site https://www.lacuradellauto.it/laboco...te-250-ml.html

And this is a video of #cronos in action
http://www.labocosmetica.com/cronos.html
 
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Old Jun 14, 2017 | 07:31 PM
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Try Barkeeper's Friend scouring powder. It does NOT scratch. I use it in places you have not dreamed of with wonderful results.
 
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Old Jun 15, 2017 | 08:58 AM
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p.s.

if they are really nasty

have you considered just replacing 'em

they are a sep' piece from the actual exhaust .... if we're talking an OE exhaust ...

http://www.outmotoring.com/_search.p...ip&categoryid=
 
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Old Jun 15, 2017 | 09:57 AM
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Thanks for all the suggestions! I'll try a few.
 
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Old Jun 15, 2017 | 06:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Fly'n Brick
Try Barkeeper's Friend scouring powder. It does NOT scratch. I use it in places you have not dreamed of with wonderful results.
Barkeeper's Friend has always been a great metal trick. I also use Some of the automotive metal polishes available otc from the local shops. Seem to be abrasive enough to get the carbon build-up off with a rag.
 
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Old Jun 15, 2017 | 06:52 PM
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Call me crazy but a little #00 and #0000 steel wool and Simple Green does wonders.

Possibly that will make somebody cringe, the way I cringe when my coworker takes his Porsche 911 through the "soft touch" car wash The swirls on his paint just kill me. But the car sure is fast…
 
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Old Jun 16, 2017 | 06:38 AM
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Squirrelly,

What generation is your ride? I have 2 R55's and one F56. Getting the tips on the R55's nice and shiny all over is not much of a problem. But on the F56, I can never get the bottom of the tips clean where all the liquids from the exhaust pass over. I've noticed that this seems to be the case with most F56 exhaust tips.
 
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Old Jun 16, 2017 | 06:41 AM
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The ones on our R60 were beyond help. Very crusty to the point that the metal was a little eaten up and corroded.

I just covered them up with new tips! Plus you get the chance to upsize....bigger is better!

Yes the stock tips are under those

Cleaning crusty exhaust tips?-u1qltyal.jpg
 

Last edited by iwashmycar; Oct 25, 2017 at 05:39 PM.
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Old Oct 11, 2017 | 09:54 AM
  #12  
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Ceramic Coating for Exhaust tips. I did that for my last car, just got my '17 JCW tips coated and the wife wanted her '17 Countryman tips done. Super clean looking.
 
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Old Oct 11, 2017 | 04:25 PM
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The trick all the detailers use is 0000 steel wool. It is so fine it will not scratch the tips and does a great job of getting all the gunk off. I've used it for years - makes a painful job so easy.
 
Attached Thumbnails Cleaning crusty exhaust tips?-img_4348.png   Cleaning crusty exhaust tips?-img_4331.jpg  

Last edited by Subw00er; Oct 12, 2017 at 05:48 AM.
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Old Oct 13, 2017 | 03:28 PM
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I brush my teeth once a year

how to keep 'em white?

I find cleaning the tips weekly has avoided the issue ..... and I've had the 79 for over 12 years .....
 

Last edited by Capt_bj; Oct 13, 2017 at 05:18 PM.
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Old Oct 14, 2017 | 09:31 AM
  #15  
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This is the stuff I use. Just rip one pad in half and use a bit of polish or whatever you have lying around for tip cleaning - or even some wax would work. Works amazing. No more elbow grease. Cheap too - $3.70.

Amazon Amazon



Holy cow that pic is huge, lol sorry.
 
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Old Oct 24, 2017 | 02:07 PM
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Quick & Easy

I use Dupont polishing compound & a Porter Cable polisher with a foam pad. Works like a champ in no time at all. Try it, you'll love it in under 10 minutes.
 
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Old Dec 28, 2017 | 06:17 PM
  #17  
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Originally Posted by Subw00er
The trick all the detailers use is 0000 steel wool. It is so fine it will not scratch the tips and does a great job of getting all the gunk off. I've used it for years - makes a painful job so easy.


I use Turtle Wax Chrome Polish and Rust Remover and a pair of old socks, Very easy and outstanding results.
 
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Old Mar 1, 2020 | 02:02 PM
  #18  
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Just did mine. I have stainless pots and pans, so we had Barkeepers Friend cleaner, thought it’d be a good idea. Sure enough, quick and easy. Took nearly all the carbon off in just a few seconds. Pretty sure my 2016 f55 never had them done (I’m 2nd owner).

baekeepers friend cleaner, water, and microfiber towel.

Amazon Amazon
 
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Old Mar 2, 2020 | 05:04 PM
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I use the Barkeepers Friend as well, and find that it does a great job. Some earlier comments about 0000 steel wool are intriguing, may be less messy, and might be worth a go.
 
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Old Mar 7, 2020 | 12:56 AM
  #20  
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Originally Posted by Llanrhaeadr_Cymru
I use the Barkeepers Friend as well, and find that it does a great job. Some earlier comments about 0000 steel wool are intriguing, may be less messy, and might be worth a go.
Cooper S have exhaust tips that can be removed from the pipes for polishing. JCW have solid stainless tips welded to the muffler. I use chrome polish and it works fine.
 
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Old Mar 27, 2020 | 04:30 AM
  #21  
GE8's Avatar
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Any metal polish will do the job and get it super shiny.
 
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