Cleaning Chrome Exhaust Tips

**S4Robo** · 03-31-2017 07:24 AM

Hi AZ Family. So I've searched around and read up on the threads for cleaning exhaust tips and have tried most of the suggestions but it's not working out for me.

I have some AWE Chrome exhaust tips and have been trying to clean them with minimal results. I clean the tips every time I wash the car and there's always some carbon buildup remaining and now it's gotten to the point where it's "caked on". I live in MI so the winter season was a bit hard to wash at times, but I made sure I cleaned the tips the best I could.

Any suggestions on what removes "caked on" carbon buildup the best? I'm open to ideas.
Thought about trying a old clay bar method, but Idk if that'll help.

I've tried:
1. Never Dull
2. Adam's metal Polish
3. Bar Keepers Friend
4. ?
5. ?

Thanks for your inputs!

**968Reckless** · 03-31-2017 07:43 AM

Did you try steel wool with a heavier compound?

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**S4Robo** · 03-31-2017 07:46 AM

Originally Posted by 968Reckless

Did you try steel wool with a heavier compound?

I thought about that too, but didn't know if that would scratch the chrome.

**noyzcij3** · 03-31-2017 07:59 AM

Double check to see if the black is actual caked on carbon deposits or if the chrome had rubbed off. Those yellow pittings further inside the tips are definitely chrome that had rubbed off. My tips are the same way and I gave up cleaning the inside now.

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**S4Robo** · 03-31-2017 08:05 AM

Originally Posted by noyzcij3

Double check to see if the black is actual caked on carbon deposits or if the chrome had rubbed off. Those yellow pittings further inside the tips are definitely chrome that had rubbed off. My tips are the same way and I gave up cleaning the inside now.

Yeah I figured the chrome has rubbed off on the deeper areas, but hoping to salvage the exterior part. Sad cause I've had this for less than a year. Bought the system brand new.

**stereojorge** · 03-31-2017 08:08 AM

Blue Magic works great for me!

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**S4Robo** · 03-31-2017 08:11 AM

Originally Posted by stereojorge

Blue Magic works great for me!

Wow!!! Yours came out great. Was your tips caked on? How long did it take you to clean them?

**AudBoost** · 03-31-2017 08:16 AM

cerama bryte cook top cleaner works well too.

**968Reckless** · 03-31-2017 08:28 AM

You only need to clean an inch or so into the tips. Use grade 0000 steel wool.

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**SteveYem** · 03-31-2017 08:39 AM

Originally Posted by 968Reckless

You only need to clean an inch or so into the tips. Use grade 0000 steel wool.

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I have used 0000 steel wool with WD40 and it works pretty well. My muffler tips were already pretty far gone by the time I was turned onto this method, but I would say it got them back to 80% good condition which was satisfactory.

**noyzcij3** · 03-31-2017 08:48 AM

Mine actually only lasted about 3-4 months. It was fine when I washed the car once a week or every other week. I didn't wash the car for about three to four weeks after a snowstorm, the tips couldn't be saved anymore after that.

Edit: notice those yellow pittings are actually chrome that had came off.

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**grrrrrrr** · 03-31-2017 08:53 AM

I use mothers chrome polish for my awe 102 tips. Easy to use I just use paper towel with it. Removes those black grimes.

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**SteveYem** · 03-31-2017 08:59 AM

Originally Posted by noyzcij3

Mine actually only lasted about 3-4 months. It was fine when I washed the car once a week or every other week. I didn't wash the car for about three to four weeks after a snowstorm, the tips couldn't be saved anymore after that.

Edit: notice those yellow pittings are actually chrome that had came off.

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I have the same result. Unless they are being cleaned once a week, I think the finish degrades quickly. Bummer.

**grrrrrrr** · 03-31-2017 09:00 AM

Originally Posted by grrrrrrr

I use mothers chrome polish for my awe 102 tips. Easy to use I just use paper towel with it after i use adams waterless wash. Removes those black grimes.

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**SDV325** · 03-31-2017 09:01 AM

Originally Posted by grrrrrrr

I use mothers chrome polish for my awe 102 tips. Easy to use I just use paper towel with it. Removes those black grimes.

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+1 for Mothers metal polish

Worked great for me in the past on previous exhausts.

**s4matty** · 03-31-2017 09:08 AM

Spray on rim cleaner works very well for baked on carbon buildup on the tips

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**S4Robo** · 03-31-2017 09:18 AM

Thanks for the tips everyone. Really appreciate it.

So I just went out and bought some Blue Magic Polish, and some 0000 steel wool (I have compound at home). I'll give both those methods a try. (Prob try the clay bar method as well.)
I'll post a cleaning review for sh**s and giggles afterwards.

**HumbleTurbo** · 03-31-2017 09:33 AM

I followed suit and just bought some Blue Magic and some 0000 steel wool as well. Been wanting to polish some trim parts to match the freshly painted grill anyhow.

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**Hiduke73** · 03-31-2017 10:35 AM

Ever try Coke and crumpled aluminum foil and/or steel wool? I've never tried it on carbon build up but I have on rust and it works pretty dam good

**youloze** · 03-31-2017 11:00 AM

Blue Magic is great stuff. I've been using it for years. It also leaves sort of a protective barrier on the metal so that its easier to wipe off carbon later without having to use the product again so soon.

**S4Robo** · 03-31-2017 11:09 AM

Originally Posted by youloze

Blue Magic is great stuff. I've been using it for years. It also leaves sort of a protective barrier on the metal so that its easier to wipe off carbon later without having to use the product again so soon.

That's great to know. Hopefully it'll do the trick for me as well.

- - - Updated - - -

Anyone try the Mothers Polishing cone or ball with good results?

**968Reckless** · 03-31-2017 12:35 PM

Originally Posted by S4Robo

That's great to know. Hopefully it'll do the trick for me as well.

- - - Updated - - -

Anyone try the Mothers Polishing cone or ball with good results?

It's really just a way to polish it once you've cleaned it up. I don't think it's needed.

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**B8Addict** · 03-31-2017 12:35 PM

P21S Polishing Soap works very well with the provided sponge they use. I use it all the time when I detail other vehicles in the spring time. I would buy #000 steel wool as well and use it in conjunction with the soap. I bought my AWE exhaust used and I had to do that to remove all the carbon. It looks like new now. :)

**Prh** · 03-31-2017 12:51 PM

I reached out to AWE when I bought my exhaust with black diamond tips. Those are easy to damage the finish. He said stick with soap and water with a sponge and put wax on them.

I use Finish Kare 1000P Hi Temp past wax or Poorboys Wheel Sealant after every few car washes. I use Chemical Guys Metal Polish when they need a better cleaning.

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**Idtrav** · 03-31-2017 02:07 PM

Sonax wheel cleaner to get the brunt of it off then take the Mother's chrome polish as others have recommended to seal the deal.

**allbizns** · 03-31-2017 03:10 PM

I've used eagle one never dull with great success as well. It's a fairly soft cotton wad.

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**allbizns** · 03-31-2017 03:13 PM

Sorry missed the never dull in your original post. What about some acetone or lacquer thinner on a microfiber just to break thru the built up carbon.

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**TMurt** · 03-31-2017 03:14 PM

Originally Posted by SteveYem

I have used 0000 steel wool with WD40 and it works pretty well. My muffler tips were already pretty far gone by the time I was turned onto this method, but I would say it got them back to 80% good condition which was satisfactory.

x2, if my tips were in great shape I'd stick with some polish but they were black when I got the car and only so much could be done. The pics below are from an A6 that went 15 months with no attention and treated with the WD40 and steel wool

**S4Robo** · 03-31-2017 04:47 PM

So here are some results. I was going to do a review on the suggested products but then I found one that worked and couldn't be happier.

Blue Magic polish with 0000 steel wool. Takes some elbow grease but it works like a charm. Note the deeper areas the chrome rubbed off but I was still able to remove the buildup.

Hope it works for you guys too. Took me maybe 10-15mins per tip.

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**14S4GWM** · 03-31-2017 05:01 PM

What clamps are those, I like them much better than the factory clamps from AWE. Tips turned out nice, I always use wool and wd.

**S4Robo** · 03-31-2017 05:06 PM

Originally Posted by 14S4GWM

What clamps are those, I like them much better than the factory clamps from AWE. Tips turned out nice, I always use wool and wd.

Those are actually AWE clamps. The screws and bolts rusted so I replaced them with some new ones from Ace Hardware (only $1.00 for all)

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**14S4GWM** · 03-31-2017 06:11 PM

Originally Posted by S4Robo

Those are actually AWE clamps. The screws and bolts rusted so I replaced them with some new ones from Ace Hardware (only $1.00 for all)

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I contacted awe about those clamps because I saw them on a bunch of tips and they told me they have not changed their clamps from the originals. I ended up purchasing 4 new ones of the old style that I don't like. How old is your exhaust? I'm curious if those are a newer or older version.

**mlavelle92** · 03-31-2017 06:25 PM

Mine are coated in ceramic pro 9H. Heat resistant to 1400 F and the soot comes off with sprayed on soapy water then a spray of the hose with my thumb over the end

**DannyDeez** · 03-31-2017 06:39 PM

Originally Posted by 14S4GWM

What clamps are those, I like them much better than the factory clamps from AWE. Tips turned out nice, I always use wool and wd.

Those clamps are integrated into the tip itself. It's the new style that AWE is using.

Edit: here's a pic of my black tips

Double edit: AWE is full of crap if they told you they never changed. The exhaust I bought for my '13 S5 (purchase around nov 2012) had the old clamps that were actual clamps that could be removed. As you can see below, the new clamps are a part of the tip and can't be removed.

**14S4GWM** · 03-31-2017 06:44 PM

^ Welp that explains it, thanks

**DannyDeez** · 03-31-2017 06:49 PM

Originally Posted by 14S4GWM

^ Welp that explains it, thanks

Welcome. Not sure if you saw my second edit, but yea, this style is the new type. If you want them you'll have to buy a whole new set of tips unfortunately.

Just to throw it out there for anyone, I am going to be selling that set of diamond black tips - 90mm. PM if interested. EDIT: Sale thread is now live http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...lack-tips-90mm

**Cysco abt S4** · 04-01-2017 05:22 AM

Wd40 and a rag

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**xParamone** · 04-03-2017 03:40 AM

Originally Posted by stereojorge

Blue Magic works great for me!

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Outcome is absolutely beautiful!!

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**AmrS4** · 04-03-2017 04:10 AM

ok so for the people having issues cleaning stubborn exhaust tips this worked for me , go to your closest kitchen and underneath the sink there are "sponges" the one with the scrubbing pad on one side and soft pad on the other grab that then get some metal polish and go to work.