What You'll Learn
Aussie Conditions
Look, most people spend hours on the paint but completely forget about the exhaust. After a few years of Aussie heat and road grime, they end up looking like a blackened mess. This guide covers how to safely strip away carbon buildup and salt crusting to bring back that factory shine. Whether you have a weekend cruiser or a daily driver that has seen too much red dust, this is for you.
Why Bother Cleaning Your Tips?
The Gear You'll Need
What You'll Need
While you're here...
Preparation is Key
Let it cool down
Don't be a hero. I've seen a mate try to clean his tips right after a long run and literally melt his glove onto the chrome. Give it at least an hour after driving.
Rinse the loose grit
Give the tips a good blast with the hose. You want to get rid of any loose sand or red dust so you aren't grinding it into the metal in the next step.
Check your finish
Take a quick look. Are they actually chrome/stainless, or are they painted matte black? If they're painted or powder-coated, put the steel wool away immediately or you'll ruin them.
The Step-by-Step Clean
Degrease the area
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.
Agitate the heavy soot
Use your brush to scrub the outer edges and as far inside the pipe as you can reach. You'll see the suds turn black pretty quickly.
Rinse and dry
Wash off all the chemicals. Dry the tip thoroughly with an old rag. You need it dry to see where the stubborn carbon remains.
The Steel Wool Trick
If there's still crusty black stuff that won't budge, grab a small piece of that 0000 steel wool. I usually lubricate it with a bit of soapy water or a spray of WD-40. Gently rub the affected areas. Trust me, it works wonders.
Wipe away the residue
Clear off any metal shards or leftover lubricant so you have a clean surface for the polish.
Apply the metal polish
Chuck a pea-sized amount of polish onto a microfibre or an applicator pad. Don't go overboard; a little bit goes a long way.
Work the polish in
Rub it into the metal using circular motions. You'll notice the polish turning black-that's the chemical reaction cleaning the oxidation off the metal.
The 'Shoe Shine' technique
For round tips, I like to wrap the cloth around the pipe, grab both ends, and pull it back and forth like you're buffing a pair of boots. It gets an even finish all the way around.
Buff to a shine
Switch to a clean section of the cloth and buff off the hazy residue. This is the part where you see the 'mirror' come back.
Clean the inner lip
Don't forget the very edge of the pipe that faces inwards. Cleaning just the outside looks half-done. Get in there and polish at least the first inch of the inner diameter.
Final inspection
Step back and check it from a distance. If it's still a bit cloudy, give it another hit with the polish.
Seal it up
If you've got a ceramic coating or a high-temp sealant, wipe a bit on now. It'll make the soot much easier to wash off next time you're at the servo.
Pro Tip: Dealing with Red Dust
Watch Out
The Coke and Foil Myth
Keeping the Shine Alive
Exhaust Cleaning FAQ
Can I use this on matte black tips?
My tips are yellowing, what is that?
Is WD-40 good for cleaning exhaust tips?
How often should I do this?
What if my tips are just cheap plastic covers?
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