What You'll Learn
Aussie Conditions
Look, most people spend hours scrubbing their paint but completely ignore the tailpipe. This guide covers everything from light carbon removal to heavy-duty metal polishing for those neglected tips. Whether you're dealing with red dust from a trip up north or just standard city soot, I've got you covered.
The Forgotten Finish
The Detailer's Kit for Metal
What You'll Need
While you're here...
Preparation is Key
Cool Down
Never, ever touch an exhaust that’s been running in the last hour. I once saw a bloke melt a microfibre cloth onto his tip because he was in a rush. Let it be stone cold.
Initial Rinse
Blast the tips with water to move any loose grit or red dust. You don't want to be rubbing sand into the metal.
Masking
If your exhaust is tucked into a plastic diffuser (like on a lot of modern Euro cars), tape up the plastic. Metal polish will stain black plastic white, and it's a nightmare to get off.
Degrease
Spray your APC or degreaser liberally inside and out. Let it dwell for 2-3 minutes, but don't let it dry in the sun.
Agitate
Use a brush to loosen the surface grime. This is just to get the 'easy' stuff off before the real work starts.
The Deep Clean Procedure
The First Scrub
After rinsing the degreaser, dry the tips. You want to see exactly what's carbon and what's just dirt.
Steel Wool Application
Apply a pea-sized amount of metal polish directly onto a piece of 0000 steel wool.
Lubricated Scrubbing
Gently scrub the sootiest parts. The polish acts as a lubricant for the wool. Don't go ham; let the abrasives do the work.
Internal Lip Focus
Most of the soot hides on the inside bottom edge. Spend extra time here. If it's really bad, you might need a fresh bit of wool.
Wipe and Inspect
Wipe away the black slurry with a 'death' microfibre. Checkout where the stubborn spots remain.
Dealing with Tar
If you see little black raised dots, that's road tar. Use a bit of tar remover or your scrap clay bar to lift these off.
The Drill Phase (Optional)
If your arms are burning, chuck the polishing cone on your cordless drill. Apply polish to the cone and run it at low speed inside the tip.
Secondary Polish
Once the carbon is gone, switch to a clean microfibre and a 'finishing' metal polish. This brings out the depth of the shine.
The 'Flossing' Technique
Take a long strip of microfibre, put polish on it, loop it around the pipe, and pull it back and forth like you're flossing a giant tooth. Great for round tips.
Final Buff
Use a completely clean cloth to buff off any hazy residue. It should look like chrome now.
Degrease Again
Wait, what? Yeah, give it a quick wipe with an IPA (Isopropyl Alcohol) or a weak degreaser to remove the oily polish residue before sealing.
Apply Protection
Apply your high-temp sealant. This is the secret to making the next wash a 5-minute job instead of a 1-hour job.
Watch Out
Watch Out
The WD-40 Trick
Don't Forget the Hangers
Maintaining the Shine
Common Questions from the Shed
Can I use Coke and aluminium foil?
My tips have turned blue/purple. Can I fix that?
Is oven cleaner a good idea?
How often should I do this?
What about matte black tips?
Advanced: Sanding Out Pitting
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