how to clean burnt exhaust tips?
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 717
From: Norcal
Car Info: 12 STi hatch
how to clean burnt exhaust tips?
after the track day, my exhaust tips have discolored. no carbon soot or anything like that, but it has that 'extremely hot metal' look if that makes any sense. whats the best method to clean and get them shiny again?
General Pimpin'
iTrader: (7)
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 23,019
From: Knee deep in beer. subabrew crew, ca.
Car Info: MY04 aspen wrx wagon.
Use the finest steel wool you can find, so you don't scratch it... If I remember correctly it's the one with the most 0's, 0000 I think, someone correct me if I'm wrong on that, I can check when I go home though, and I used the Mother's metal polish (forget the actual name) after it was "clean"
If in doubt, FLAT OUT
iTrader: (33)
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 7,046
From: Nor Cal SJ
Car Info: 2010 Hatch, 2011 Sedan
Polish, just like any other metal. I use Mothers also and it works great.
Steel wool = I'd say no. Might as well get some very fine sandpaper then, like 800-1000 grit and wet sand it if it is that bad, but the polish should get it.
Steel wool = I'd say no. Might as well get some very fine sandpaper then, like 800-1000 grit and wet sand it if it is that bad, but the polish should get it.
Last edited by 04GG; Mar 4, 2013 at 12:37 PM.
Registered User
iTrader: (9)
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,037
From: Los Altos, CA
Car Info: 2002 Impreza RS, 2005 Impreza RS-20K
If you're a novice, just get Mothers Mag and Aluminum polish. It will work great in restoring the clarify and surface finish of the stain less steel.
Yes, if you do not know what you are doing and not sure of what combination or aggressiveness level to take, do not touch steel wool in combination with other compounds just yet.
A more aggressive approach would be required if there is build up on top of the metal surface.....but there is no point for me to go into that now since it does not meet your situation.
Get some mothers mag and alum polish, some terry clothes or a wool pad disk attachment to a drill. Some aluminum/non corrosive degreaser, and follow the directions on the label.
A more aggressive approach would be required if there is build up on top of the metal surface.....but there is no point for me to go into that now since it does not meet your situation.
Get some mothers mag and alum polish, some terry clothes or a wool pad disk attachment to a drill. Some aluminum/non corrosive degreaser, and follow the directions on the label.
If in doubt, FLAT OUT
iTrader: (33)
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 7,046
From: Nor Cal SJ
Car Info: 2010 Hatch, 2011 Sedan
Yes, if you do not know what you are doing and not sure of what combination or aggressiveness level to take, do not touch steel wool in combination with other compounds just yet.
A more aggressive approach would be required if there is build up on top of the metal surface.....but there is no point for me to go into that now since it does not meet your situation.
A more aggressive approach would be required if there is build up on top of the metal surface.....but there is no point for me to go into that now since it does not meet your situation.
OP, if the polish doesn't get it out, then come back and we'll go from there. note that you may have to apply and polish a few times. I've done it plenty of times and it works every time.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 717
From: Norcal
Car Info: 12 STi hatch
just picked up a jar of the mother's stuff. gonna try it out tomorrow. thx!
update:
well, the mothers mag aluminum stuff did work, sort of. it's definitley nice and shiny again, but i can't get back the original color of clean stainless steel. the metal has tinged a very light shade of brown. i guess it got extremely hot at laguna.
update:
well, the mothers mag aluminum stuff did work, sort of. it's definitley nice and shiny again, but i can't get back the original color of clean stainless steel. the metal has tinged a very light shade of brown. i guess it got extremely hot at laguna.
Last edited by mooshoo; Mar 5, 2013 at 08:54 AM.
Well, the "generic" steel wool recommendation is not a good idea. Someone said use the finest you can get, but there's a bit more to it than just that, which is why I don't think it is the first thing to try.
OP, if the polish doesn't get it out, then come back and we'll go from there. note that you may have to apply and polish a few times. I've done it plenty of times and it works every time.
OP, if the polish doesn't get it out, then come back and we'll go from there. note that you may have to apply and polish a few times. I've done it plenty of times and it works every time.
I shouldn't post without giving proper details.
I needed to go the extra mile with one of my cars because it had years of buildup, but anyway, if it's just from one track day yes the Mag and Aluminum Polish should work great.
Pho Shizzle probably knows the most about this kind of thing.
