Cleaning inside exhaust tips - getting rid of black carbon

Osiris · 03-14-2011, 07:39 PM

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.

Jordo! · 03-14-2011, 08:19 PM

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

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

tomnavone · 03-14-2011, 08:26 PM

6MT · 03-14-2011, 08:32 PM

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).

christian370z · 03-14-2011, 10:19 PM

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.

FirstZin83 · 03-14-2011, 10:20 PM

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.

Osiris · 03-14-2011, 10:39 PM

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.

FirstZin83 · 03-15-2011, 10:29 AM

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.

Liquid_G · 03-15-2011, 11:17 AM

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

AdamsPolishes · 03-15-2011, 01:07 PM

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.

kenchan · 03-15-2011, 01:14 PM

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

hummm...

Jordo! · 03-15-2011, 01:46 PM

Is this for a car show???

Osiris · 03-15-2011, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jordo!

Is this for a car show???

sometimes

XwChriswX · 03-15-2011, 04:59 PM

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.

SVTNate · 03-15-2011, 06:07 PM

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.

03-14-2011, 07:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
Osiris A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: http://www.cfzclub.com/ Posts: 1,524 Drives: Angry Rep Power: 19	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. __________________ ^^^^^^^^^Like our Facebook!^^^^^^^^^

03-14-2011, 08:19 PM	#2 (permalink)
Jordo! A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: nirvana Posts: 6,394 Drives: 2023 NATM Rep Power: 417	Um... this is like bleaching the inside of your *******. Dude, metal polish if you must, but seriously now... __________________ Enjoy it. Destroy it.

03-14-2011, 08:26 PM	#3 (permalink)
tomnavone Track Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: S.F. Bay Area Posts: 723 Drives: Supercharged 370z Rep Power: 17	Last edited by tomnavone; 03-14-2011 at 08:30 PM.

03-14-2011, 08:32 PM	#4 (permalink)
6MT A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: ITU Zone 2 Posts: 22,459 Drives: Reliant Robin Rep Power: 1789	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). __________________ Andrew 2009 370Z Sport/Touring 6MT sold 2013 Honda Civic Si coupe D/D

03-14-2011, 10:19 PM	#5 (permalink)
christian370z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Newport Beach Posts: 3,900 Drives: 2010 370Z/Saab 900se Rep Power: 431	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. __________________ -320whp / 259wftlbs- SP Rays -- RE-11s -- SpecialtyZ Tune -- Swift Springs -- Stillen 25R Oil Cooler -- Stillen G3 Intakes -- Berk HFCs -- F.I. 12" CBE -- Stillen Sway Bars -- Es14 Spring -- INGS+1 lip -- CF Spoiler -- GTR Start Button -- VLED Parking Lights -- PWJDM V2 shift knob

03-14-2011, 10:20 PM	#6 (permalink)
FirstZin83 Base Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Louisville Posts: 30 Drives: 09 6MT 370Z T/S/N Rep Power: 15	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.

03-14-2011, 10:39 PM	#7 (permalink)
Osiris A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: http://www.cfzclub.com/ Posts: 1,524 Drives: Angry Rep Power: 19	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. __________________ ^^^^^^^^^Like our Facebook!^^^^^^^^^

03-15-2011, 10:29 AM	#8 (permalink)
FirstZin83 Base Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Louisville Posts: 30 Drives: 09 6MT 370Z T/S/N Rep Power: 15	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.

03-15-2011, 11:17 AM	#9 (permalink)
Liquid_G A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chicago Burbs Posts: 1,439 Drives: 09 370z Supercharged Rep Power: 43	windex and a microfiber (not one that you'll use again) works surprisingly well. __________________

03-15-2011, 01:07 PM	#10 (permalink)
AdamsPolishes The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: SoCal Posts: 724 Drives: 2009 Avalanche Rep Power: 16	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. __________________ Use the code NISSANZ* at checkout to save 10% off your next order at www.AdamsPolishes.com*

03-15-2011, 01:14 PM	#11 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	i like the inside of my exhaust tips black... carbon color. hummm...

03-15-2011, 01:46 PM	#12 (permalink)
Jordo! A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: nirvana Posts: 6,394 Drives: 2023 NATM Rep Power: 417	Is this for a car show??? __________________ Enjoy it. Destroy it.

03-15-2011, 04:59 PM	#14 (permalink)
XwChriswX WFLYIDNNE Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: In The Fastlane Posts: 50,648 Drives: 02 GDB WRX Rep Power: 451	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. __________________ Bonnie - Stage 2, Audio build coming this fall! R.I.P. Abby 3/29/10 - 3/30/14

03-15-2011, 06:07 PM	#15 (permalink)
SVTNate Base Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 89 Drives: 2010 370Z 6MT Rep Power: 14	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.

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