Brokenis

Hey guys I recently got some new parts and looking to protect them to have them look and lasting like new for a long time.

I usually see old exhaust that looks yellow or even black, it's just unattractive. How do I keep my new exhaust looking nice and shiney besides washing it? Is there a compound I can use?

Also, new tires are rubbing my fender quite a bit and I think some metal is showing. How do I rust proof that area?

Thanks in advanced...

popping

first point.. metal polish
second point. will rust proofing even help if the tires will continue to rub, and rub it off?

Brokenis

Which type of metal polish should I use? I'm reading there are mild and harsher ones, I also have one that I bought a little while back... Think it was made of wool.

I'm having that issue corrected as we speak, so i'm looking to rust proof the damaged area when I get my car back

zmcgovern4

iTrader: (2)

No polish is "made of wool", but some people use steel wool as a medium of using the polish on the metal for a more aggressive cut.

For routine cleaning, you simply need something like Optimum Metal Polish or Chemical Guys Metal Polish/Wax


Just apply a small amount of polish to a black microfiber towel, and rub the metal polish into the metal using moderate pressure. Use a 2nd towel, or clean section of the towel, to wipe away the residue and reveal a bright shine. Repeat as necessary until the entire area is polished. Wash the tips during each car wash, and polish as needed in the future.

Before - light dirt and oxidation


After - bright and shiny


-Zach

Brokenis

Thanks for the info!

Should I apply the polish directly on the carbon buildup? Or should I wash down all of it first then do the polish. Saw some videos and looks like they apply it without doing any washing

zmcgovern4

iTrader: (2)

Wash away loose dirt first, then polish away any remaining oxidation and carbon buildup.

In some instances, the build up can be severe and it may look like the tips were not washed, but the reality is all of what appears to be dirt is actually bonded to the metal and cannot be removed with simple washing. This is where an abrasive polish is needed.

97-SC300

iTrader: (17)

I would confirm what material the exhaust is made of first before polishing it.

Some exhausts are not even raw metal (polished aluminum, stainless steel, titanium), but are actually coated, whether it's a clear powdercoating, chrome plating, or some type of other finish that may appear to be metal but actually isn't.

For example, many Mercedes AMG cars have chrome exhaust tips. On older cars (2-3+ years) that have not been maintained, once you clean the carbon, around the edges of the tip you will see part of the chrome is actually gone, whether the heat and carbon ate away at it or partly due to using aggressive polishing (steel wool, heavy metal cutting polish), that coating is gone.

So make sure the surface can be polished if you don't want to ruin it.

zmcgovern4

iTrader: (2)

You can see the chrome tips have some of their finish wearing away on the ends. If I had to guess, these have never been polished in their life.



Yet they can still easily be cleaned up using the methods previously described.



Just stick to the golden rule of polishing anything... always use the least aggressive method first.

-Zach

aTeAse

Thanks for aLl the info guys... came to the right place lol

Brokenis

The exhaust tips I have is a sus304 stainless steel.

There seems to be some minor scratches or blemishes on the canistert, what's the right procedures to make it like a brand new one?

dicer

Tires rubbing, never use oversize tires that cause that. Not only does it ruin all value in the car, it is unsafe.
If you have to use such tires get a sawsall and cut the fenders out, since the cool tires are so important the funny cut outs shouldn't bother anyone any more than the damage already done by the tires. It seems tire smashed fenders are the thing now.

bionictony

meguiars metal polish is good for exhausts. i would be concerned about the tire. if it's rubbed too much your tire can blow out.