How to Clean and Polish Your Exhaust Tips Like a Pro

Don't be a hero. I've seen more than one mate try to clean his tips at the servo after a long run and end up with no skin on his knuckles. Give it at least an hour.

Give it a good blast with the hose. This gets rid of the sand and dust that'll cause deep scratches once you start scrubbing.

Spray your wheel cleaner or APC onto the tips and let it dwell for 2-3 minutes. Don't let it dry in the sun though, standard Aussie rules.

After your degreaser has done its thing, use your brush to agitate the soot. Rinse it off and see what you're dealing with. Usually, the bottom of the tip is the worst.

Grab a small piece of that 0000 steel wool. Spray a bit of soapy water on the tip and start gently rubbing the metal. Don't push too hard, let the wool do the work.

The very edge of the exhaust pipe usually has the thickest carbon build-up. Spend a bit more time here. If it's really stuck, you might need a bit more elbow grease.

Wipe the slurry away with a damp cloth. You're looking for any remaining black spots or 'pitting' (tiny little holes in the metal).

Chuck a dollop of metal polish onto a microfibre applicator or an old rag. Spread it evenly over the whole tip.

Rub the polish in using firm, circular motions. You'll notice the polish starts turning black, that's a good sign! It means it's reacting with the oxidation and pulling it off.

For round tips, I reckon the best way is to wrap a long strip of cloth around the pipe and pull it back and forth like you're shining a pair of boots. This gets the underside where you can't see.

Use a clean section of your microfibre to buff the residue off. You should be seeing your face in the reflection now.

Most people only clean the outside. I usually go about 2-3cm into the inside of the pipe as well. It makes the whole thing look much more professional.