Is it still possible to clean these stock exhaust tips?

[Timvgti]

Hi guys,

The stock exhaust tips from my 2005 GTI are verrrrrrrry ugly.
They already looked liked this when I bought the car 1.5 year ago and I never managed to clean them.

Is it still possible to get the original chrome look back, or is it to late?


If not, is it possible to weld two aftermarket good looking new exhaust tips on?
What models will fit?
I would like the 'Milltek GT80 look' exhaust tips.
I also considered plastidipping my stock exhaust tips matte black, but think this won't look good on standard small (70mm?) tips... > Opinions?

GT80 look:

[Moz]

Have a read of some replies here mate.   

http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,43807.msg508390.html#msg508390

[Timvgti]

PS: I tried fine wirewool with some halfords alloy wheel cleaner once, but that didn't work at all..

[rich83]

They look very very corroded... 

[Timvgti]

They look very very corroded...  

I know!  
This is how the rear looks with the weather-beaten exhaust tips:

Looks so 'fugly'!...

[rich83]

PS: I tried fine wirewool with some halfords alloy wheel cleaner once, but that didn't work at all..

If wire wool and autosol wont clean them, then they are beyond it im afraid to say.

[Mandy]

I find Cilit Bang Degreaser works well on exhaust tips, might be worth trying if you have some.

[higher1]

Mine were similar, lots of autosol and elbow grease, then for the tough stuff I used grade 800 sandpaper with some soapy water, then more autosol. came up really nice, night and day.

i did the same 800 grit and water followed by some g3 compound then autoglym polish

[Gene Hunt]

Oven pride oven cleaner. 4 quid from Asda.

[stealthwolf]

+1 for some degreaser. I would use a few rounds of degreaser to get the carbon off (engine degreaser). If you can jetwash off some of the dirt, do so.

Then lots of time with 0000-grade wirewool and metal polish.

[ianv5]

PS: I tried fine wirewool with some halfords alloy wheel cleaner once, but that didn't work at all..

If wire wool and autosol wont clean them, then they are beyond it im afraid to say.

Previous owner of my 2005 gti never cleaned mine so they are as bad or worse.

Tried wire wool, autosol etc, no really change so took drastic action and have taken my dremmel to them and have got most of the carbon deposits/rust off!

Will gradually use less and less abrasive products and get my polisher out and see what happens.

Will post pictures this evening to show results so far working on one pipe for comparison to the other.

[Timvgti]

PS: I tried fine wirewool with some halfords alloy wheel cleaner once, but that didn't work at all..

If wire wool and autosol wont clean them, then they are beyond it im afraid to say.

Previous owner of my 2005 gti never cleaned mine so they are as bad or worse.

Tried wire wool, autosol etc, no really change so took drastic action and have taken my dremmel to them and have got most of the carbon deposits/rust off!

Will gradually use less and less abrasive products and get my polisher out and see what happens.

Will post pictures this evening to show results so far working on one pipe for comparison to the other.

I also own a dremel, so I'm looking forward to your before-after pictures!

[Horatio]

PS: I tried fine wirewool with some halfords alloy wheel cleaner once, but that didn't work at all..

If wire wool and autosol wont clean them, then they are beyond it im afraid to say.

Previous owner of my 2005 gti never cleaned mine so they are as bad or worse.

Tried wire wool, autosol etc, no really change so took drastic action and have taken my dremmel to them and have got most of the carbon deposits/rust off!

Will gradually use less and less abrasive products and get my polisher out and see what happens.

Will post pictures this evening to show results so far working on one pipe for comparison to the other.

I also own a dremel, so I'm looking forward to your before-after pictures!

You can do anything with a dremel! I polished out a load of scratches of a non-gti highline!

[ianv5]

PS: I tried fine wirewool with some halfords alloy wheel cleaner once, but that didn't work at all..

If wire wool and autosol wont clean them, then they are beyond it im afraid to say.

Previous owner of my 2005 gti never cleaned mine so they are as bad or worse.

Tried wire wool, autosol etc, no really change so took drastic action and have taken my dremmel to them and have got most of the carbon deposits/rust off!

Will gradually use less and less abrasive products and get my polisher out and see what happens.

Will post pictures this evening to show results so far working on one pipe for comparison to the other.

Here we go:









Not fantastic but better than before.