Detail BMW 330 ZHP Exhaust Tips?

[johnrando]

While I read on another forum that the best way to clean/detail the OEM exhaust tips on an E46 was to remove them ("just pull them off", my ZHP tips are welded to the rest of the exhaust system. Two questions. (1) are all of the ZHP OEM tips like that, and (2) any good hints as to how to clean them (outside of the Mother's Chrome products)? John

[Marcus-SanDiego]

mwscircle, a member here, uses a steel-wood product on my exhaust tips (on both cars). Shoot a PM to him.

The exhaust tips always look great when he's finished.

[mimalmo]

When the car is cool, I just use a little Meguiar's All Metal polish on a microfiber cloth. Place the middle of the rag over the top of the pipe, grasp both ends and alternately pull back and forth like a shoeshine does.

[danewilson77]

Mine are welded as well.

[Rovert]

Eli that's much too graphical of a DIY for guys here that are so used to that already.

I use a product that I sell online through my own store:
http://www.amway.ca/AmwayImages/AmwayOrderableItem/107894-dv-qv.jpg

High grade stainless steel for our high grade stainless steel exhaust pipes! LOL
I usually use them with just running water as I rub the pads over all the caked on crap. After some elbow work, the pipes are smooth, shiny, and clean! Then I dry and just follow it with a metal polish for chrome which removes any oxidation off the surface.

My good friend took an awesome picture of my exhaust now. It's gone through 2 owners previous to this and a lot of nasty crap including baked on tar and road grime. You'd never know it had tens of thousands of miles on it:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4101/4785216907_42c551a3b8_b.jpg

[johnrando]

Thanks for all the great advice. It seems counter-intuitive that using the steel on steel doesn't scratch... how is it that it doesn't, or do you have to go very lightly to avoid that?

[Rovert]

With my pad I can go on hard. It's very smooth on the hand when in good condition. There was once a demo that rubbed a new Scrub Bud on a lady's (sometimes a man) stockings/leggings, and after a nice rubbing there were no runs! :)

[mimalmo]

Eli that's much too graphical of a DIY for guys here that are so used to that already.

I use a product that I sell online through my own store:

High grade stainless steel for our high grade stainless steel exhaust pipes! LOL
I usually use them with just running water as I rub the pads over all the caked on crap. After some elbow work, the pipes are smooth, shiny, and clean! Then I dry and just follow it with a metal polish for chrome which removes any oxidation off the surface.

My good friend took an awesome picture of my exhaust now. It's gone through 2 owners previous to this and a lot of nasty crap including baked on tar and road grime. You'd never know it had tens of thousands of miles on it:


That's more work than needed. I used to do something similar to that until someone showed me the All Metal Polish way to do it one day when we were doing detail work on my my car. Additionally, the steel scrubber could easily scratch the trim area around exhaust tips.

[Rovert]

My stock exhaust tip had a chunk bend/squished/taken out from it thanks to me backing into a driveway that was too steep. LOL That's a more expensive way to come to a stop. Look Ma, no brakes!

[M0nk3y]

I use #0000 Steel Wool and some Blue Metal Polish you can find OTC. Then I throw Poorboys Wheel Sealant to help protect from anything bonding to it for future cleaning

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/1nFeCt1oN/Detail%2005%20325i/DSC01719.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/1nFeCt1oN/Detail%2005%20325i/DSC01766.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/1nFeCt1oN/DSC02483.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/1nFeCt1oN/DSC02517.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/1nFeCt1oN/33992_1396075110130_1479780173_3114.jpg

[johnrando]

Looks good, any tips (pun intended after the fact :-) ) to getting between the pipes, and for not scratching your car?

[mimalmo]

Looks good, any tips (pun intended after the fact :-) ) to getting between the pipes, and for not scratching your car?

That's why I use the metal polish and the microfiber cloth. No problem getting between the pipes and if the polish is applied to just one side of the rag, you limit the possibility of scratches.

[gr330zhp]

I use Meguiars Quick Detailer and 2000 grit sandpaper! It comes out incredibly awesome!! Then I hit it with aluminum polish, and a towel between the two in a side to side motion...it comes out perfect!

[M0nk3y]

I use Meguiars Quick Detailer and 2000 grit sandpaper! It comes out incredibly awesome!! Then I hit it with aluminum polish, and a towel between the two in a side to side motion...it comes out perfect!

Do you use wetsand paper or just regular 2000 grit?

I have 3000 wetsand and may try this on my OEM tips

[spencers]

Looks good, any tips (pun intended after the fact :-) ) to getting between the pipes, and for not scratching your car?

Mask the area of paint that may come in contact by using some painters tape (and newspaper if you want) first.