How To Clean Chrome Exhaust Tips
How To Clean Chrome Exhaust Tips Do you own a truck or a high-performance car? Then you’re likely familiar with the unsightly grime that accumulates on your exhaust tips. Frequent exposure to heat and flames can swiftly transform them from a gleaming shine to a dull gray or dark black. The good news? Most of the time, restoring their shine is entirely possible.
If you’re encountering stubborn black soot that refuses to budge, it’s high time to give your exhaust tips a thorough cleaning. In this article, I’ll guide you through the process of cleaning, polishing, and safeguarding your exhaust tips using readily available products, either in local stores or online.
Essential Supplies
- Hose and running water
- Cylindrical wheel cleaning brush
- Car soap and multiple old microfiber towels
- Automotive metal polish
- 0000-grade automotive steel wool (optional)
- Degreaser or all-purpose cleaner
- Blackfire all-metal sealant (optional)
- Gloves
Read More : How To Replace Freeze Plugs Without Removing Engine
Step 1: Washing and Rinsing
Before embarking on the cleaning process, arm yourself with gloves, a couple of old microfiber towels, and an unused bucket. Remember to utilize a separate bucket for wheel cleaning, ensuring it remains uncontaminated by paint residues. For this task, proceed as follows:
- Initial Rinse: Commence with a swift rinse and apply soapy water to a microfiber towel or wash mitt to eliminate dirt, brake dust, or any substances that respond to soap and water.
- Caution for Cleanliness: Given the potentially messy nature of this task, take care to prevent splashing dirty water onto your vehicle or attire. If your driveway is pristine, consider working on the grass to contain the mess.
Step 2: Utilizing Degreaser and Tire Brush
For the next phase, follow these steps to clean in and around your exhaust tips using a wheel cleaner or degreaser:
- Application: Apply the degreaser or wheel cleaner and, if available, use an old rag or a soft-bristled brush to thoroughly clean the exhaust tips.
- Rinsing: After applying the cleaning agents, rinse with water and dry the area using an old towel.
Step 3: Employing Exhaust Cleaner and Steel Wool
Now it’s time to restore the luster to your exhaust tips. Though they might still exhibit a faint haze due to oxidation, a light metal polish or a dedicated exhaust cleaner can work wonders:
- Buffing: Employ automotive-grade 000 or 0000 steel wool, along with a polish, to gently buff and polish your exhaust pipes. This process aids in the removal of carbon buildup and minor scratches.
- Optimal Approach: Since steel wool possesses greater abrasiveness than polish, it effectively targets scratches that regular metal polish might not eliminate. Particularly if your exhaust tips are heavily soiled, initiating the process with steel wool is recommended.
Step 4: Application of Metal Polish
After using steel wool or other abrasives, it’s essential to apply a metal polish to restore shine and obliterate faint scratches:
- Post-Abrasive Treatment: Follow up the abrasives with a metal polish to counteract any slight scratches left behind by the more abrasive materials.
- Consideration for Different Finishes: If your exhaust tips are black or painted, it’s advisable to avoid abrasives and metal polishes intended for chrome or stainless steel. Instead, opt for soap, water, and a degreaser to clean these surfaces while avoiding materials that could scratch black finishes.
Step 5: Adding Protective Layer
To prolong the clean and polished appearance of your exhaust tips, consider applying a regular sealant or aluminum sealant:
- Safeguarding: While periodic polishing remains essential, a protective layer can extend the longevity of your exhaust tips’ pristine appearance.
- Dedicated Protection: Blackfire offers a dedicated metal sealant specifically designed for hot exhaust pipes. Though slightly more costly, its efficacy in safeguarding exhaust pipes for up to 6 months makes it an ideal choice. A little goes a long way!
Exhaust Tips Beyond Restoration
For exhaust pipes that are beyond salvage, aftermarket exhaust tips are a viable solution, often available on platforms like eBay or Amazon:
- Replacing Tips: Consider purchasing aftermarket tips, which can be installed with relative ease. Ensure the tips match the diameter of your tailpipe.
- Installation: Aftermarket tips usually slide onto the tailpipe and can be securely fastened using a socket wrench.
Read More : How Does An Exhaust Brake Work
In Conclusion
Certain exhaust tips, such as those made of titanium, might display a bluish gradient that can be remedied through polishing. For this aesthetic, a degreaser and water followed by a sealant are sufficient. However, for most exhaust tips, a regular cleaning regimen with metal polish should yield the desired results. While exhaust tips are often overlooked, a bit of dedicated care can keep them sparkling for years to come.