Grubby Exhaust Pipes - Replace?

[rdfcpete]

Guys,

My exhaust tailpipes are pretty grimey.
The left pipe came out relatively well after trying some heavy duty de-greaser and also, some Meguirs all metal polysh. The right I suspect is beyond recovery to a sortof shiny state [pic below... This is pre scrub + polysh attempt btw!].



Is the best option here to simply replace the tailpipes, or is this avoided cause they're expensive and I could probably get the current ones looking better?

Thanks,

Pete.

[TomB]

You should be able to bring them back up with some stages of wet and dry paper.

[rdfcpete]

Wet + dry with any substance on, or as they are?
Won't it scratch it in the longrun, or will the Meguirs take care of the final appearance?

Cheers.

[veedub18]

I'd use some AUTOSOL on them, they'll come up like new with very little work.

The 100gm tube and 2 cloths will do the job, and a little elbow grease 

http://www.thepolishingshop.co.uk/acatalog/Metal_Polish.html

[v2brett]

i used autosol on mine with one of those pan scrubber sponge things and it brought them up great,  now i just use a metal polish every few weeks to keep them tip top

[chip20]

Hi.I use a piece of wire wool.Then give them a good polish with autosol.Don't rub to hard with the wire wool though.

[VC]

Hi.I use a piece of wire wool.Then give them a good polish with autosol.Don't rub to hard with the wire wool though.

yup wire wool is my weapon of choice too followed but autosol  it will bring those up no problems

[Jules86]

Dont replace them 

My mothers GTI after some wire wool, megs metal polish and some time

Left is untouched, right one was after only 10 mins



Both done



I then polished them up a few times to add more shine and sealed them with jetseal

[Jules86]

From my detailing thread

Tailpipe
These can be nasty if left for a while but meguairs metal cleaner or autosol will bring them up brilliant with some #00 Wire Wool, a cloth and alot of elbow grease.
http://www.autoperfection.com/shop/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=metal

Dont leave this bit out though as it can ruin a long clean having dirty tailpipes, you will be amazed at how many people notice!
Best steps would be
- Spray degreaser on pipes and leave for 20/30 mins
- Scrub down pipes with wire wool or a stiff brush (inside only to prevent scratching)
- Apply metal polish with wire wool
- Apply metal polish with cloth
- Buff clean
- repeat if necessary

[rdfcpete]

Thanks guys.

So wire wool/those brill pad kitchen scrub things with Meguirs/Autosol should do it?

Looks like I've a choice of combinations ;)

[VC]

Thanks guys.

So wire wool/those brill pad kitchen scrub things with Meguirs/Autosol should do it?

Looks like I've a choice of combinations ;)

i would choose wool over the dish scourer because you can select the grade of the wool you use and therefor can prevent scratching whereas the scourer although will do the job, depending on the type it will scratch if it's the usual thick sort. wire wool is dead cheap anyways 

[Jules86]

You want #00 wire wool (kitchen grade will scratch the pipes which polish wont fix) They will be ok for the tougher inside though 

[rdfcpete]

VC + Jules, many thanks 

When you both refer to the 'inside' though, I'm a bit lost?

- Scrub down pipes with wire wool or a stiff brush (inside only to prevent scratching)

I wouldn't dream of trying to scrub the inside tbh, that can stay as grubby as it wants - unless if misread that? lol

[VC]

yeah i think he meant the inside of the tailpipe, a question of 'while you're down there' really 

[Jules86]

Yep