Best way to clean exhaust tips

e92phreak · 04-28-2008, 12:11 PM

Wanted to pose this question to the experts here. What is the best way to clean exhaust tips?

pittyinSC · 04-28-2008, 12:13 PM

Im not an expert, but I just use Master Formula Metal Gloss
and a rag/hand polishing and here are the results.

Josh49 · 04-28-2008, 12:56 PM

^^damn. That's pretty impressive..

I use mother's chrome and metal polish.. Something like that..

BzsBimmer · 04-28-2008, 05:08 PM

SS wool and Simichrome here if it's really bad
eagle one polish with simichrome if it's not

jaespark87 · 04-28-2008, 08:32 PM

i just used detergents... it worked pretty well

GreenThree · 04-29-2008, 09:59 AM

Had my car detailed about a week and a half ago. I'm not an expert, and I'm not even sure what he used. But it was in a small clear bottle, and the polish looked blue. This stuff works unbelievably whatever the hell it is. Tips are still sparkling after a week and a half and about 400 miles.

Neurorad · 04-29-2008, 12:40 PM

PICUS recommended Mother's chrome polish to me. Works well.

ejheverest · 04-29-2008, 12:57 PM

i definately need to try that on my rogue ikon

orionredwing · 04-29-2008, 01:26 PM

I was actually doing research on other forums on this issue recently. After searching countless threads, it seems the strongest OTC recommendations are:

#1 Blue Magic Metal Polish
#2 Mother's Mag & Al polish (or Chrome polish depending on your application)

Although Mother's was more widely used (due to familiarity with the brand name), almost 100% of those who compared the 2 products mentioned Blue Magic was better. Most who tried Mother's were happy with the results (thus it's the #2 choice), but there were a few who were unhappy with the results. Of those group, some switched to Blue Magic, and loved it.

So I got excited and went and bought a jar of Blue Magic a few days ago from Kragen (last jar on the shelf vs tons of Mother's, so I guess it's more popular than I thought). Unfortunately, it's still sitting on my shelf, so please treat my input as a consolidation of 1 hr of forum searches. I'll follow-up and provide feedback later after I get a chance to use it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenThree

Had my car detailed about a week and a half ago. I'm not an expert, and I'm not even sure what he used. But it was in a small clear bottle, and the polish looked blue. This stuff works unbelievably whatever the hell it is. Tips are still sparkling after a week and a half and about 400 miles.

remmib · 04-29-2008, 02:47 PM

When you got it clean, make sure to put some wax on so the dirt wouldn't stick. I use Poorboy's Wheel Sealent, works great on the hot exhaust tips.

mgl · 04-29-2008, 04:16 PM

i use blue magic.
works great for me.

BK · 04-30-2008, 09:37 PM

Mothers Chrome Polish works for me. Using 000 steel wool makes the job go a lot faster on the sooty inside of the exhaust. Using 0000 steel wool would work on the outside, or just use a soft cotton rag (I use an old t-shirt).

orionredwing · 05-04-2008, 11:11 PM

Following up on my post from above, I just tried Blue Magic for the first time. Wow, it works really well.

BEFORE:

The before pic was after HARD rubbing using my wash mitt. I got it as clean as I could using car wash and a wash mitt, applying as much strength as I could. Luckily I didn't scratch the tips, but I was testing for my own knowledge.

AFTER:

Wow, took it all off. My right exhaust tip pic wasn't in focus, so I posted the left one. The shine is amazing.

UncleWede · 05-05-2008, 11:55 AM

Is Blue Magic the same as Blue Job (from the mortocycle world)? White powdery stuff that you get damp and rub on?

BK · 05-05-2008, 01:36 PM

^^ It's a metal polish. FWIW, I think any metal/chrome polish should do the trick.

f30er · 05-05-2008, 04:46 PM

Oven cleaner!!! Read it on another forum and tried it this weekend!! Worked like a charm!! I just used oven cleaner and then scrubbed a little with steel wool and they looked great!! I topped it off with Mother's Mag & Aluminium polish that I put on with a dremel with the cloth attachment....I'll take some pics later on....

AWD Addict · 05-05-2008, 05:04 PM

Mother's make a great metal polish.

Neurorad · 05-05-2008, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orionredwing

Following up on my post from above, I just tried Blue Magic for the first time. Wow, it works really well.

BEFORE:

The before pic was after HARD rubbing using my wash mitt. I got it as clean as I could using car wash and a wash mitt, applying as much strength as I could. Luckily I didn't scratch the tips, but I was testing for my own knowledge.

AFTER:

Wow, took it all off. My right exhaust tip pic wasn't in focus, so I posted the left one. The shine is amazing.

Tip - I try to avoid cleaning anything REALLY dirty with my wash mitt (rims, exhaust). I use an old MF or cotton towel for those. I wash my towels and mitt in the washer after each use, too.

M3BALLER08 · 05-05-2008, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BK

Mothers Chrome Polish works for me. Using 000 steel wool makes the job go a lot faster on the sooty inside of the exhaust. Using 0000 steel wool would work on the outside, or just use a soft cotton rag (I use an old t-shirt).

+1! Steel wool works wonders for cleaning exhaust tips.

04-28-2008, 12:11 PM	#1
e92phreak General 396 Rep 21,745 Posts Drives: E92 335i TiAg/E46 323i TiAg Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 E92 335i [9.50] 2000 E46 323i [0.00]	Best way to clean exhaust tips Wanted to pose this question to the experts here. What is the best way to clean exhaust tips? __________________ 07 E92 335i \| TiAg \| Step \| Padl \| Cmft \| Alum Trm \| PDC \| Nav \| Assist \| Sat \| Lthr \| Prem \| Sprt \| Rear Splr \| RDSport Quads \| iPod \| V1 \| LT Refl \| VS Clear Bra \| OEM Lip \| KWV2 \| Mtec Sides \| BBS LM-R 00 E46 323i \| TiAg \| 5sp \| Sport \| Roof \| RDSport Cams \| RDSport tune \| RDSport Shift \| Volk LE37 \| M3 spoiler \| PSS9 \| SuperSprint \| Brembo
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04-28-2008, 12:13 PM	#2
pittyinSC Drives Smart 55 Rep 2,393 Posts Drives: 1968 Austin Mini Cooper 1380cc Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Nashville, TN iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	Im not an expert, but I just use Master Formula Metal Gloss and a rag/hand polishing and here are the results. __________________ 08 BMW ///M5 Space Gray/Black 6 speed Engine: RPi GTS exhaust, RPi Scoops, Carbon Filter Delete Exterior: Glossy Black Kidneys, LUX V3, OEM LED License Plate light, Bruce License Plate Adapter
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04-28-2008, 12:56 PM	#3
Josh49 Major General 266 Rep 6,664 Posts Drives: E90 325xi Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (33)	^^damn. That's pretty impressive.. I use mother's chrome and metal polish.. Something like that.. __________________ E90 325XI, MYSTIC BLUE ON BLACK/ALUM, STEP, NAV, PDC, CWP, XENON, SIRIUS, ALARM, MUD GUARDS, CLEARBRA, CHROME GRILLS AND TIPS, VALENTINE 1 (HARDWIRED), HO CERAMIC 40%, 161'S, REAR FOG MOD, LUX 4.0, BLACKLINES, OEM PEDALS, MTEC FOGS, GRUPPE-M REP INTAKE. 156'S AND RUBBER MATS FOR THE WINTER.
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04-28-2008, 05:08 PM	#4
BzsBimmer Major General 3458 Rep 6,823 Posts Drives: '23 G80 FO M3 & '23 G05 X5 M50 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Nor. Cal iTrader: (32)	SS wool and Simichrome here if it's really bad eagle one polish with simichrome if it's not
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04-28-2008, 08:32 PM	#5
jaespark87 Captain 37 Rep 720 Posts Drives: AW 2011 128i Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (7)	i just used detergents... it worked pretty well __________________ Tint
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04-29-2008, 09:59 AM	#6
GreenThree Colonel 227 Rep 2,110 Posts Drives: 2011 e90 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (0)	Had my car detailed about a week and a half ago. I'm not an expert, and I'm not even sure what he used. But it was in a small clear bottle, and the polish looked blue. This stuff works unbelievably whatever the hell it is. Tips are still sparkling after a week and a half and about 400 miles. __________________ 2015 335xi \| Mineral Grey Metallic \| Black Dakota Leather \| NAV \| SportLine \| ZPP \| ZDA \| ZCW \| Munich Build Retired: 2008, 2011, 2013 328xi
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04-29-2008, 12:40 PM	#7
Neurorad Major 89 Rep 1,224 Posts Drives: 2017 340xi Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Location, Location iTrader: (0)	PICUS recommended Mother's chrome polish to me. Works well.
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04-29-2008, 12:57 PM	#8
ejheverest First Lieutenant 29 Rep 395 Posts Drives: E90 SG 330i Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Mass, NH, Maine, Virginia iTrader: (0)	i definately need to try that on my rogue ikon __________________ SOLD......E90 SG, ColdWeather Pckg, Sport Pckg, Logic7,H R Sports, Rogue Ikon, M sport shift knob/boot
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04-29-2008, 02:47 PM	#10
remmib General 1596 Rep 29,217 Posts Drives: 2013 F10 520d M-Sport Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Norway iTrader: (0)	When you got it clean, make sure to put some wax on so the dirt wouldn't stick. I use Poorboy's Wheel Sealent, works great on the hot exhaust tips. __________________ F10 520d M-Sport Alpine White \| HRE P43SC 20x9+20x11 \| Michelin PSS 255/35+295/30 \| KW V3 Coilover \| M5 Front Sway Bar + M550d Rear Sway Bar \| 3DDesign Front Lip \| BMW M Performance CF Spoiler \| BMW M Performance Diffuser \| BMW M Performance Black Grills \| BMW M Performance Pedals \|
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04-29-2008, 04:16 PM	#11
mgl ________________________ 9 Rep 388 Posts Drives: aw e92 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (9)	i use blue magic. works great for me.
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04-30-2008, 09:37 PM	#12
BK Smiling politely 179 Rep 7,931 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Washington DC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [9.00]	Mothers Chrome Polish works for me. Using 000 steel wool makes the job go a lot faster on the sooty inside of the exhaust. Using 0000 steel wool would work on the outside, or just use a soft cotton rag (I use an old t-shirt). __________________ E90 330i Black Sapphire 6MT \| 991.1 C4 Platinum Silver 7MT
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05-04-2008, 11:11 PM	#13
orionredwing Captain 111 Rep 728 Posts Drives: 335i Sedan, 135i Coupe Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: San Jose iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 335i [10.00]	Following up on my post from above, I just tried Blue Magic for the first time. Wow, it works really well. BEFORE: The before pic was after HARD rubbing using my wash mitt. I got it as clean as I could using car wash and a wash mitt, applying as much strength as I could. Luckily I didn't scratch the tips, but I was testing for my own knowledge. AFTER: Wow, took it all off. My right exhaust tip pic wasn't in focus, so I posted the left one. The shine is amazing. Attached Images __________________ PROcede \| AMS FMIC \| AR Catless DPs \| AR Oil Cooler \| BMS DCI Wavetrac LSD \| KW V3 w/ Swift Springs \| M3 Front Suspension
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05-05-2008, 11:55 AM	#14
UncleWede Long Time Admirer, First Time Owner 18683 Rep 9,445 Posts Drives: G01 X3 M40i Dark Graphite Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Oxnard, CA iTrader: (0)	Is Blue Magic the same as Blue Job (from the mortocycle world)? White powdery stuff that you get damp and rub on?
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05-05-2008, 01:36 PM	#15
BK Smiling politely 179 Rep 7,931 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Washington DC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [9.00]	^^ It's a metal polish. FWIW, I think any metal/chrome polish should do the trick. __________________ E90 330i Black Sapphire 6MT \| 991.1 C4 Platinum Silver 7MT
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05-05-2008, 04:46 PM	#16
f30er Captain 132 Rep 993 Posts Drives: F85 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: OTP iTrader: (6) Garage List 2014 Jaguar F-Type R [0.00] 2016 GMC Yukon XL [0.00] 2018 BMW X5M [0.00]	Oven cleaner!!! Read it on another forum and tried it this weekend!! Worked like a charm!! I just used oven cleaner and then scrubbed a little with steel wool and they looked great!! I topped it off with Mother's Mag & Aluminium polish that I put on with a dremel with the cloth attachment....I'll take some pics later on....
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05-05-2008, 05:04 PM	#17
AWD Addict Chief Executive 407 Rep 2,930 Posts Drives: 2008 335xi 6spd Coupe Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Boston iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 335xi [0.00]	Mother's make a great metal polish.
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