Nissan 370Z Forum  

Is Mothers Mag and Aluminum polish the best to clean this up?

Picked up a Motordyne exhaust for my 370z. Is Mothers Mag and Aluminum polish the best to clean this up? https://www.amazon.com/Mothers-05101.../dp/B0009H519Y

Go Back   Nissan 370Z Forum > Nissan 370Z Tech Area > Detailing / Washing / Waxing / Cosmetic Maintenance and Repair


Like Tree2Likes

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 08-21-2018, 11:23 AM   #1 (permalink)
Base Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Tampa
Posts: 136
Drives: 2015-370z-Black-Manu
Rep Power: 7
ZSerg is on a distinguished road
Default Is Mothers Mag and Aluminum polish the best to clean this up?

Picked up a Motordyne exhaust for my 370z. Is Mothers Mag and Aluminum polish the best to clean this up?

https://www.amazon.com/Mothers-05101.../dp/B0009H519Y
Attached Images
File Type: jpg IMG_0879.JPG (103.8 KB, 56 views)
ZSerg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-21-2018, 02:18 PM   #2 (permalink)
Track Member
 
wideglideleon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Tucson AZ
Posts: 569
Drives: SC 09 370Z LG 7AT
Rep Power: 64084
wideglideleon has a reputation beyond reputewideglideleon has a reputation beyond reputewideglideleon has a reputation beyond reputewideglideleon has a reputation beyond reputewideglideleon has a reputation beyond reputewideglideleon has a reputation beyond reputewideglideleon has a reputation beyond reputewideglideleon has a reputation beyond reputewideglideleon has a reputation beyond reputewideglideleon has a reputation beyond reputewideglideleon has a reputation beyond repute
Default

That is a stainless steel Exhaust not aluminum or magnesium. I would start with very fine stainless steel pad (brillo Pad) and then use a medal polish to finish it off.
wideglideleon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-21-2018, 02:58 PM   #3 (permalink)
Base Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Tampa
Posts: 136
Drives: 2015-370z-Black-Manu
Rep Power: 7
ZSerg is on a distinguished road
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by wideglideleon View Post
That is a stainless steel Exhaust not aluminum or magnesium. I would start with very fine stainless steel pad (brillo Pad) and then use a medal polish to finish it off.
I hear that 0000 steel wool and then metal polish does wonders. I’ll try just the polish first and then go from there.
ZSerg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-22-2018, 09:12 AM   #4 (permalink)
Enthusiast Member
 
OhioYJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Ohio
Posts: 261
Drives: 2016 370Z
Rep Power: 952
OhioYJ has a reputation beyond reputeOhioYJ has a reputation beyond reputeOhioYJ has a reputation beyond reputeOhioYJ has a reputation beyond reputeOhioYJ has a reputation beyond reputeOhioYJ has a reputation beyond reputeOhioYJ has a reputation beyond reputeOhioYJ has a reputation beyond reputeOhioYJ has a reputation beyond reputeOhioYJ has a reputation beyond reputeOhioYJ has a reputation beyond repute
Default

It won't take the deep scratches out, but it will shine it back up. That's what I use on my exhaust, and numerous other things actually. If you want to take out some of the deep scratches you'll need something more aggressive and work back to fine stuff.
OhioYJ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-22-2018, 10:39 AM   #5 (permalink)
Base Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Tampa
Posts: 136
Drives: 2015-370z-Black-Manu
Rep Power: 7
ZSerg is on a distinguished road
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by OhioYJ View Post
It won't take the deep scratches out, but it will shine it back up. That's what I use on my exhaust, and numerous other things actually. If you want to take out some of the deep scratches you'll need something more aggressive and work back to fine stuff.
Thanks
ZSerg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-22-2018, 11:48 AM   #6 (permalink)
Premium Member
 
SouthArk370Z's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: South Arkansas
Posts: 8,435
Drives: 2014 Challenger
Rep Power: 324197
SouthArk370Z has a reputation beyond reputeSouthArk370Z has a reputation beyond reputeSouthArk370Z has a reputation beyond reputeSouthArk370Z has a reputation beyond reputeSouthArk370Z has a reputation beyond reputeSouthArk370Z has a reputation beyond reputeSouthArk370Z has a reputation beyond reputeSouthArk370Z has a reputation beyond reputeSouthArk370Z has a reputation beyond reputeSouthArk370Z has a reputation beyond reputeSouthArk370Z has a reputation beyond repute
Default

I wouldn't go out and buy that type of Mother's for this job, but if I had some laying around, I'd give it a try and see if it would do some good - they make good stuff but that product wasn't meant for stainless. If there is only very light scratching, it may do the job - a lot depends on how you define "clean this up."

Edit: Based on my past experience with Mother's products, I wouldn't be afraid to buy anything they label as being for stainless.
wideglideleon likes this.
__________________
Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub
Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

Last edited by SouthArk370Z; 08-22-2018 at 11:51 AM.
SouthArk370Z is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-22-2018, 08:15 PM   #7 (permalink)
Base Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Tampa
Posts: 136
Drives: 2015-370z-Black-Manu
Rep Power: 7
ZSerg is on a distinguished road
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z View Post
I wouldn't go out and buy that type of Mother's for this job, but if I had some laying around, I'd give it a try and see if it would do some good - they make good stuff but that product wasn't meant for stainless. If there is only very light scratching, it may do the job - a lot depends on how you define "clean this up."

Edit: Based on my past experience with Mother's products, I wouldn't be afraid to buy anything they label as being for stainless.
What would you recommend?
ZSerg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-23-2018, 01:21 AM   #8 (permalink)
Premium Member
 
SouthArk370Z's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: South Arkansas
Posts: 8,435
Drives: 2014 Challenger
Rep Power: 324197
SouthArk370Z has a reputation beyond reputeSouthArk370Z has a reputation beyond reputeSouthArk370Z has a reputation beyond reputeSouthArk370Z has a reputation beyond reputeSouthArk370Z has a reputation beyond reputeSouthArk370Z has a reputation beyond reputeSouthArk370Z has a reputation beyond reputeSouthArk370Z has a reputation beyond reputeSouthArk370Z has a reputation beyond reputeSouthArk370Z has a reputation beyond reputeSouthArk370Z has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ZSerg View Post
What would you recommend?
I'd go with what wideglideleon suggested: a stainless pad and metal polish. You should be able to find polishing compound at your local auto parts store. If Mother's makes stainless polish, I'd give it a try but don't have any experience with it so there may be something better out there.
__________________
Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub
Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma
SouthArk370Z is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-23-2018, 06:49 AM   #9 (permalink)
Enthusiast Member
 
OhioYJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Ohio
Posts: 261
Drives: 2016 370Z
Rep Power: 952
OhioYJ has a reputation beyond reputeOhioYJ has a reputation beyond reputeOhioYJ has a reputation beyond reputeOhioYJ has a reputation beyond reputeOhioYJ has a reputation beyond reputeOhioYJ has a reputation beyond reputeOhioYJ has a reputation beyond reputeOhioYJ has a reputation beyond reputeOhioYJ has a reputation beyond reputeOhioYJ has a reputation beyond reputeOhioYJ has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ZSerg View Post
Thanks
Quote:
Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z View Post
I wouldn't go out and buy that type of Mother's for this job
This stuff is available at any store. The small can is like $4 at WalMart, it's not like you're out a lot to try it.

My Berk HFC, came were left over from my dad's old 350Z (daily driven, w/Ohio winters), they had 40k miles on them IRC, but they were free. I cleaned them up with Mothers:



In a few spots, I used some 2000 grit, with the Mothers then finished with the mothers. However these are under the car, I didn't spend any real amount of time on them. It was maybe 10-15 minutes per cat.

My HFCs weren't didn't have the scratches your muffler has, but the pipes were looking pretty ugly. When I get home I can look and see if I have any before pictures.
OhioYJ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-23-2018, 09:47 AM   #10 (permalink)
Base Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Tampa
Posts: 136
Drives: 2015-370z-Black-Manu
Rep Power: 7
ZSerg is on a distinguished road
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by OhioYJ View Post
This stuff is available at any store. The small can is like $4 at WalMart, it's not like you're out a lot to try it.

My Berk HFC, came were left over from my dad's old 350Z (daily driven, w/Ohio winters), they had 40k miles on them IRC, but they were free. I cleaned them up with Mothers:



In a few spots, I used some 2000 grit, with the Mothers then finished with the mothers. However these are under the car, I didn't spend any real amount of time on them. It was maybe 10-15 minutes per cat.

My HFCs weren't didn't have the scratches your muffler has, but the pipes were looking pretty ugly. When I get home I can look and see if I have any before pictures.
Thanks! What do you think about using the 00 steel wool instead of the sand paper?
ZSerg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-23-2018, 10:47 AM   #11 (permalink)
Enthusiast Member
 
OhioYJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Ohio
Posts: 261
Drives: 2016 370Z
Rep Power: 952
OhioYJ has a reputation beyond reputeOhioYJ has a reputation beyond reputeOhioYJ has a reputation beyond reputeOhioYJ has a reputation beyond reputeOhioYJ has a reputation beyond reputeOhioYJ has a reputation beyond reputeOhioYJ has a reputation beyond reputeOhioYJ has a reputation beyond reputeOhioYJ has a reputation beyond reputeOhioYJ has a reputation beyond reputeOhioYJ has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ZSerg View Post
Thanks! What do you think about using the 00 steel wool instead of the sand paper?
Ive used 0000 and that Mothers to polish glass, the 0000 alone will clean glass. I always tend to try and err on the finer side to start with as I don't want to add scratches or marks to things. However that is pretty badly scratched in places so if you want to get all of that mark out where it was bottomed out, you will likely have to use some sandpaper, and start at 400 and work your way back up, wet sanding.

For most of that of though like those fine swirls marks were it looks like someone already tried to take steel wool to it, I think you might be surprised what some of that mothers and a rag will do. Buff that till the rag turns black, then take a clean spot of that rag to it buff it off. I bet a lot if not most of that comes off with minimal effort. For $4 and an old T-shirt, or towels you aren't out much if I'm wrong except a few minutes of your time.
OhioYJ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-23-2018, 12:44 PM   #12 (permalink)
Base Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Tampa
Posts: 136
Drives: 2015-370z-Black-Manu
Rep Power: 7
ZSerg is on a distinguished road
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by OhioYJ View Post
Ive used 0000 and that Mothers to polish glass, the 0000 alone will clean glass. I always tend to try and err on the finer side to start with as I don't want to add scratches or marks to things. However that is pretty badly scratched in places so if you want to get all of that mark out where it was bottomed out, you will likely have to use some sandpaper, and start at 400 and work your way back up, wet sanding.

For most of that of though like those fine swirls marks were it looks like someone already tried to take steel wool to it, I think you might be surprised what some of that mothers and a rag will do. Buff that till the rag turns black, then take a clean spot of that rag to it buff it off. I bet a lot if not most of that comes off with minimal effort. For $4 and an old T-shirt, or towels you aren't out much if I'm wrong except a few minutes of your time.
Thanks! Ill give it a try when it arrives. Picked up a Motordyne for $1,380 and that the only bad part about it.
ZSerg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-25-2018, 11:14 AM   #13 (permalink)
Enthusiast Member
 
need4speed255's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Indiana
Posts: 262
Drives: 15Nsmo/99 EclipseGST
Rep Power: 10
need4speed255 is on a distinguished road
Default

I believe Blue Magic is made for stainless. It is much better for polishing aluminum than Mothers also. I used to get it at Autozone.
rpowers likes this.
need4speed255 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-25-2018, 05:15 PM   #14 (permalink)
Base Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: San Diego
Posts: 6
Drives: 2014 370Z
Rep Power: 7
rpowers is on a distinguished road
Default

Blue Magic would work the best for this application.
rpowers is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-28-2018, 07:27 PM   #15 (permalink)
Base Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Tampa
Posts: 136
Drives: 2015-370z-Black-Manu
Rep Power: 7
ZSerg is on a distinguished road
Default

Alright boys I'm back from my mission. The results are truly beyond what I expected to end up with.

I was going to pretty much use as many products that I already had and could be used for this project to avoid spending extra money.


Process:
Step 1
Sprayed each part with Sticky Citrus Gel Wheel & Rim Cleaner to get the dirt off.
You can use any acid free wheel cleaner for this.

Step 2
Applied Meguiar's SwirlX Liquid Automobile Wax and Polish because I heard that you can also use it on metal.
This wasn't really necessary and not really sure if it did anything but I had it so I used it.

Fun begins
Step 3
I wiped the exhaust with Eagle One Nevr-Dull.

Step 4
I applied Mother's Aluminum & Mag Polish by hand and buffed it with the Mothers power drill buffing cone.

Step 5
I applied the Mother's Aluminum & Mag Polish with a separate micro fiber towel and buffed it off by hand with a separate towel.

Thats it.

Some of the heat marks around the welds did require some thorough hand buffing with the Mothers polish.

Some spots would not come off with the Eagle One but would come off with the Mothers like those heat marks, but sometimes it was the other way round, so I had to go back and fourth. After the first exhaust part you know what product works on what area.

The results were great but it did take some time and some beer

Thanks for everyones help! Hope this helps you guys.

Last edited by ZSerg; 08-28-2018 at 07:30 PM.
ZSerg is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
mothers synthetic wax zfaninphilly Detailing / Washing / Waxing / Cosmetic Maintenance and Repair 3 08-24-2017 09:39 PM
What do you use to clean and polish the dash? ssmoked Exterior & Interior 36 03-28-2014 06:30 AM
Mothers new 2012 Roadster miller New Roadster 370Z Owner 28 07-13-2012 12:28 AM
Happy Mothers Day MC The Lounge (Off Topic) 6 05-10-2009 06:37 PM


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:52 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0 PL2