Cleaning inside exhaust tips - getting rid of black carbon
 

I did a search and seems that all of the threads concentrate on the outside of the exhaust tips. Up til recently, my Z has been running rich. So, needless to say, the inside of my exhaust tips are jet black. What is the proper method to clean the inside of the exhaust tips and get rid of the black?

Thanks for any help.

Um... this is like bleaching the inside of your *******.

Dude, metal polish if you must, but seriously now...

I use a bug sponge, warm water, and a good car wash soap. The bug sponge is rough and it works extremely well without scratching the finish. My Stillen tips do show some blackness and this technique works well for me. I also don't leave them very long between cleanings (a good practice).

You are going to want to start by cleaning them with a brush and some all purpose cleaner. Once that is complete, start with a mild metal polish. If there are any tar spots or places where the metal is still discolored, you can use a medium polish such as Meguiar's Ultimate Compound if you are limited to over the counter stuff. Follow that up with an all in one product and they should be looking pretty good at that point.

Scotch-brite sponge sold in the kitchen supplies section of any grocery store. I usually use the course side of the sponge and some simple green, works great. Sometimes there's black spots that won't come out, in that case a light rub with some red scotch-brite works good. This applies to just the inside of the exhaust tips. I use the same sponge on the soft sponge side with simple green to clean the inside of the wheels behind the spokes.

thanks for all the suggestions....i'll try the sponge method...thinking of trying the "purple stuff" which i happen to have a bottle of and warm water.

I'd watch that purple stuff. I'm not sure if it's just me or what, but the purple power stuff seems to really stick to my hands and after about an hour after using the stuff I have lizard skin. Simple green seems to have the same cleaning power but to me is just alot less corrosive on the skin. I haven't seen any ill effects on metal, but I know it does a number on my hands.

windex and a microfiber (not one that you'll use again) works surprisingly well.

Cleaner wise you want something thats a degreaser (thus the reason we recommend our APC) to effectively break up the residue. Using an abrasive sponge has the potential to scratch so sticking to a brush is generally a better idea.

i like the inside of my exhaust tips black... carbon color.

hummm...

Is this for a car show??? :confused:

sometimes :tup:

http://yourautoworld.com/images/Acce...olish-5-oz.jpg

This is all you need. Take a small dab of it on a semi abrasive cloth or paper towel, rub around until it turns black, then come in with a soft cloth and wipe off. You can go over again and again to get it all off. Then give it one final rub down and it'd shiny as can be.

I can do mine tonight and post pics if you like, takes no more than 20 mins.

I hit 'em with my wheel brush every time I wash the car (after I clean the wheels of course). Keep up with it, and soap+water is fine.

My brush fits inside the larger Stillen exhaust outlets, which makes it very easy.

Another option if you have a cordless drill available is to use a polishing ball like Mother's Power Ball. It takes all the effort out of it and can get results much quicker than you can manage by hand in my experience.

Laziness. :shakes head:



:bowrofl:

Kudos to all the over-achievers. But dayum, we're talking about the "inside" of an exhaust here. And everyone wants to whip out the polish and a spare weekend of elbow grease. I remember when I was 20 with my first 280zx. I kept a full car wash and detail kit in the car, in case I hit a bug I was immediately in a car wash. But at 45 now, a shiny brushed look "inside" an exhaust suits me just fine.

:confused: