What You'll Learn
Aussie Conditions
Look, there is no point spending all Saturday morning washing and waxing your rig if you're going to leave the exhaust tips looking like they've been dragged through a coal mine. Whether you've got a stainless steel system or just some chrome finishers, this guide covers how to get them shining again. We are talking about removing that stubborn carbon, baked-on red dust, and salt crust that we deal with here in Oz.
The Finish That Makes the Difference
What You'll Need in the Garage
What You'll Need
While you're here...
Getting the Metal Ready
Cool it down
Never, ever touch an exhaust that's just come off the highway. Give it at least an hour. I made this mistake on a black Commodore once, burnt my palm and the polish dried instantly into a crusty mess. Not fun.
The initial rinse
Blast the tips with a hose to get the loose grit and red dust off. You don't want to be rubbing sand into the metal in the next steps.
Decontaminate
Spray your wheel cleaner or APC liberally inside and outside the tip. Let it dwell for 2-3 minutes, but don't let it dry in the sun. Use your brush to agitate the thickest chunks of soot.
The Step-by-Step Restoration
Dry it off
Wipe the tips dry with an old rag. You need to see exactly where the pitting and heavy carbon buildup is.
The Steel Wool Trick
If the tips are heavily fouled, take a small piece of 0000 steel wool and apply a bit of metal polish directly to it. Gently rub the metal in a back-and-forth motion. Don't go 'round the clock', follow the length of the pipe if you can.
Check your progress
Wipe away the black slurry frequently. You want to see the shiny metal starting to peek through. If it's still black, keep going with the wool.
Don't forget the inside
A lot of blokes only clean the outside rim. Reach about 2-3 inches inside the pipe with your wool. It makes a massive difference to the overall look.
Transition to microfibre
Once the heavy crust is gone, switch from steel wool to a microfibre applicator pad or cloth. Apply fresh metal polish.
The 'Shoe Shine' Technique
Loop your cloth over the top of the tip, grab both ends, and pull back and forth rapidly. This builds up a tiny bit of heat which helps the polish work better.
Focus on the edges
The very lip of the exhaust usually has the thickest carbon. Give this area some extra attention with your thumb behind the cloth.
Final Buff
Take a clean, dry microfibre and buff off the hazy residue. This is the satisfying part where the shine finally pops.
Inspect for pitting
If you see little black dots that won't come off, that's likely pitting in the metal. Don't go crazy trying to scrub these out or you'll burn through the plating.
Clean the surround
Check the plastic bumper or diffuser around the pipe. If you've flicked polish onto it, wipe it off now with a damp cloth before it stains the plastic white.
Watch Out
Pro Tip: Dealing with Red Dust
Pro Tip: Protection is Key
Keeping the Shine Alive
Common Questions from the Shed
Can I use WD-40 to clean my exhaust?
My tips are yellow/blue, is that normal?
Is 00 steel wool okay to use?
What if my tips are painted black?
Will cleaning the exhaust affect my warranty?
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