Thread: How to clean exhaust tips by Pomme

Share This Thread!

• Share on Facebook

Here is a quick help guide for cleaning exhaust tips from the sooted black to the polished look.

Okay first off is to get the products ready:

1 - AutoSmart Tardis

AutoSmart Tardis is a professional strength tar and glue remover that safely and effectively removes tar, honeydew, adhesive residues and hydrocarbon wax residues from fully cured paint. It quickly dissolves even the toughest tar, honeydew and glue deposits, greatly reducing the subsequent need for intensive claying, while it's free-rinsing formula prevents unsightly white residue stains from forming. This is a professional strength product and as such carries potentially serious health and usage risks that should be fully understood from the outset - please read the instructions carefully!

2 – AutoGlym Metal Polish

AutoGlym Metal Polish imparts a brilliant long lasting finish on all types of polish able metal including chromium, stainless steel, copper, brass, aluminium and alloys.

3 – 000 Wire Wool.

4 – Microfiber cloth (one you are prepared to throw away).

5 – Disposable Glove.

6 – Quick detailer.

7 – Something to sit on.

The next two products are not essential.

8 – Polishing cloth (I use either the AutoGlym perfect polish cloth or the Halfords version).

9 – Final polish.

So here is the starting mess



okay here are the steps:

1 – Spray AutoSmart Tardis into the exhaust:



2 – Let dwell for 1 minute:



3 – Prepare the wire wool (once you have cleaned the exhaust to a decent standard you can use a polishing cloth which would be better).



4 – Shake the AutoGlym Metal Polish:



5 – Apply a small amount of product to the wool:



6 – Clean the inside of the exhaust first. Do this by rubbing the product into the exhaust, I try and rub side to side and then in and out and make sure i go over each part around 10 times.



7 – Then clean the outside of the exhaust:



8 – Will look a bit like this:



9 – Use microfiber cloth to remove product. You may need to spray on some quick detail to help. Also make sure you use a microfiber cloth that you are happy to throw away as the trades will ruin the cloth and you will never get the smell out (if you put it into the washing machine all your cloths will smell of it!!!).



10 – Check your work to check you haven’t missed a bit:



Now if you want to go further you can use the following products:



Mothers Mag and Aluminium Polish

Mothers™ renowned metal polish is legendary in detailing and collecting circles. The secret formula combines brilliant shine with ease of use, resulting in the sharpest looking wheels, brass, alloys, and accessories. Mothers™ Mag and Aluminium Polish does amazing things to polish able metals. The unique cleaning and polishing characteristics make it a favourite among professional detailers, enthusiasts, and collectors. Strong enough to shine even the most horribly neglected metal; yet gentle enough to use regularly. Mag and Aluminium Polish has a pasty texture, the consistency of cold cream. It shimmers like pearls in its container and applies with ease. Armed with a clean cloth and a little elbow grease, you’re destined for greatness with Mothers™ Mag and Aluminium Polish. Don’t stop at your wheels, use it on all your polish able metals... valve covers, header plate, exhaust, straps on induction, stainless steal, flat cast, brushed, and shot finished aluminium or magnesium. Use it to clear hazed and discoloured plastic taillight and headlight lenses. Even if your exhaust isn’t chrome it will shine like it is, after you’ve used Mothers™ Mag and Aluminium Polish! Always use Mag and Aluminium Polish while it is still wet. For easiest removal, don’t allow it to dry. Use a dry, soft towel and buff to a brilliant finish!

Belgom Alu

Belgom Alu has been developed specifically to clean, polish and protect aluminium, copper, brass, nickel and chrome. Where it differs from other metal polishes is that it contains wax, which provides a protective film on the surface of the metal plus a shine that will last for weeks.

Alu-Magic

This liquid cream polishes Aluminium, Copper, Brass. Alu Magic is less abrasive than most other polishes, so it does not remove detail from castings or scratch paintwork. Chemically dissolve aluminium oxide and other corrosion. Gentle yet effective this liquid cream polish cleans and shines with minimum abrasion, it will not remove detail from castings or damage paintwork. With its built in wax layer Alu-Magic is perfect to protect alloy wheels in winter.

For a good shine I really like the Mothers polish. As I think of the other two products as ones to bring back the product to a decent standard.

11 – Pick your final polish product of choice:



12 – Get a section of polish cloth:



13 – Rub the exhaust again like you did last time.

14 – Use another cloth (I am using a small fine metal polishing cloth I got from eBay) to remove the product:



15 - Admire your hard work:







See you need to check your work as i left a bit of polish in there doh!