F30POST
F30POST
2012-2015 BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum (F30 / F32) | F30POST > Technical Forums > Cosmetic Maintenance: Wash, Wax, Detailing, Repairs > Dirty Stock Exhaust Tips
proTUNING Freaks
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      08-23-2013, 09:39 AM   #1
syuan92
Member
syuan92's Avatar
United_States
25
Rep
237
Posts

Drives: '20 BMW X3 M40i
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Massachusetts

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Dirty Stock Exhaust Tips

I have an ActiveHybrid 3 and when I went to go try and clean the exhaust tips with a paper towel and some water, the black stuff wouldn't come off. Am I suppose to use something more rough than a paper towel? Is there some sort of special chemical that will clean the black stuff off? Will the exhaust tips still be shiny chrome if I use something more rough than a paper towel? Any help would be appreciated!
Appreciate 0
      08-23-2013, 09:49 AM   #2
syuan92
Member
syuan92's Avatar
United_States
25
Rep
237
Posts

Drives: '20 BMW X3 M40i
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Massachusetts

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Also, I would prefer using common household items as opposed to going out and buying something specifically for just the exhaust tips. I just want to remove the black soot.
Appreciate 0
      08-23-2013, 12:27 PM   #3
PTek Will
Second Lieutenant
PTek Will's Avatar
United_States
18
Rep
268
Posts

Drives: 335i coupe
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: san jose

iTrader: (0)

Steel wool can be used in conjunction with a low grit sand paper. I chose to start with and SOS pad (the kitchen ones, basically soap and steel wool). Which got me to pictures 1 and 2. Which already is a great look from head height.
Name:  1.jpg
Views: 2693
Size:  40.0 KBName:  2.JPG
Views: 2309
Size:  63.1 KBName:  3.JPG
Views: 2419
Size:  62.1 KB

I decided to take it a bit further and used 500 grit sand paper on a drill to get as much of the caked on exhaust dust off as possible.
Name:  4.JPG
Views: 2297
Size:  72.7 KB

Next I used a 3" wool pad, that I was ready to toss, combined with M105.
Name:  5.JPG
Views: 2299
Size:  83.7 KB

The last step was using the same pad with optimum metal polish (new formula).
Name:  6.JPG
Views: 2347
Size:  63.6 KBName:  7.JPG
Views: 2333
Size:  59.7 KB

It is pretty blingin lol. If this is too much bling for you, I would say after the steel wool pad just go straight to a metal polish. But just wanted to show that polishing metal is very much like polishing paint, except you can start much more abrassive and work your way up. Using a drill attachment for the sand paper and pc for the compound and polish saved me tons of time and energy. Total work time was under 30 minutes.

Note: There are still very tiny specs of dust that just wont come off. I figure if i went to 500 grit and it still won't come off, then screw it! The finish is so blinding you cannot see it. Hope your project turns out well!
Appreciate 0
      08-23-2013, 11:46 PM   #4
syuan92
Member
syuan92's Avatar
United_States
25
Rep
237
Posts

Drives: '20 BMW X3 M40i
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Massachusetts

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
I gave up on mine. I'm considering just replacing the right tip. I bought my car used with 5k miles on it and I don't think the exhaust tip was ever cleaned so all the soot got baked on.
Appreciate 0
      08-25-2013, 06:44 AM   #5
Wo-Wo
Captain
Wo-Wo's Avatar
United Kingdom
278
Rep
697
Posts

Drives: BMW M4 Comp Coupe
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: East Mids

iTrader: (0)

The best metal cleaner and sealant on the market is:-

Blue b Gone and its readily available stateside.

http://www.smartwax-usa.com/ProductD...ductCode=40102
Appreciate 0
      08-26-2013, 02:16 AM   #6
Bradley
Registered
0
Rep
4
Posts

Drives: Honda Civic 2006
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Canada

iTrader: (0)

This product works very well. I mean the exhaust pipe is looking pretty cleaned now, because those cleaning pads remove all the rust from the exhaust pipes. Thanks for sharing that product. I hope this is not too much expensive.
__________________
_______________________________________________
Wheelchair lifts For Vehicles
Appreciate 0
      08-26-2013, 06:15 AM   #7
SamS
Banned
United_States
866
Rep
6,248
Posts

Drives: Tesla M3 Perf + '18 X3 M40i
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Dallas, TX

iTrader: (0)

I use my regular car washing soap/water combo + wash mitt, and it comes off every time. Not sure why all the polishing is required
Appreciate 0
      08-26-2013, 08:28 AM   #8
syuan92
Member
syuan92's Avatar
United_States
25
Rep
237
Posts

Drives: '20 BMW X3 M40i
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Massachusetts

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Should I buy one new tip since there's basically stuff melted all over the right tip and even a thick metal brush can't remove it?
Appreciate 0
      08-26-2013, 01:25 PM   #9
nilfinite
Private First Class
22
Rep
117
Posts

Drives: F83 M4 & E89 Z4
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Bay Area

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by SamS View Post
I use my regular car washing soap/water combo + wash mitt, and it comes off every time. Not sure why all the polishing is required
Ditto, comes off super easily. Try going to one of those self-wash car washes and blasting it with soapy water.
Appreciate 0
      06-09-2015, 06:51 PM   #10
Kabrich
Banned
United_States
354
Rep
1,986
Posts

Drives: '13 AH3 (335IH) 3F93 MSport
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Florida

iTrader: (6)

Quote:
Originally Posted by BigNPT View Post
The best metal cleaner and sealant on the market is:-

Blue b Gone and its readily available stateside.

http://www.smartwax-usa.com/ProductD...ductCode=40102
Instructions on the site say to clean area well before application.

That is what OP is trying to get to - something to cut the carbon build up.
Appreciate 0
      06-09-2015, 11:50 PM   #11
Aaaaaaaaa
Banned
No_Country
7559
Rep
5,056
Posts

Drives: The other M3
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: So Cal

iTrader: (0)

Appreciate 0
      06-09-2015, 11:51 PM   #12
Aaaaaaaaa
Banned
No_Country
7559
Rep
5,056
Posts

Drives: The other M3
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: So Cal

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by syuan92 View Post
Also, I would prefer using common household items as opposed to going out and buying something specifically for just the exhaust tips. I just want to remove the black soot.
Also, please don't tell us you wash your car by wiping it with wet paper towels.
Appreciate 0
      06-10-2015, 11:05 PM   #13
Kabrich
Banned
United_States
354
Rep
1,986
Posts

Drives: '13 AH3 (335IH) 3F93 MSport
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Florida

iTrader: (6)

One would think there should be something simple for this as a spray on and rinse off to cut through the carbon build up.

Then the Chrome could be treated as one saw fit (polish or sandpaper etc)
Appreciate 0
      06-11-2015, 08:30 AM   #14
smithf80
Major General
smithf80's Avatar
United_States
2794
Rep
5,313
Posts

Drives: G80 M3 6MT
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Long Island, NY

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2022 G20 330i  [9.00]
2018 F80 M3  [9.75]
I use this, I love it.

http://www.amazon.com/BlueMagic-400-.../dp/B000BO8Z9I
__________________
Appreciate 0
      06-11-2015, 08:54 AM   #15
chazmink
First Lieutenant
chazmink's Avatar
United_States
93
Rep
390
Posts

Drives: 2013 328i M Sport
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Medford & LBI, NJ

iTrader: (0)

A simple solution is to just use aluminum foil. Works great.
__________________
Best,
Charlie

2013 328i MSport Estoril Blue, 6spd MT, Premium, Tech & Drivers Assist +, Bavsound Stage One/Ghost, Bimmertech Amp
Appreciate 0
      06-11-2015, 09:44 AM   #16
n55x3
Captain
72
Rep
876
Posts

Drives: n55 BMWs
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: us - ohio

iTrader: (0)

000 Steel wool and water, cheap and effective.
Appreciate 0
      06-11-2015, 10:14 AM   #17
Professor///M
Brigadier General
Professor///M's Avatar
No_Country
817
Rep
3,341
Posts

Drives: 2022 M3, 2022 X5 40i;
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Northeast

iTrader: (5)

Garage List
On a routine basis you can use Simple Green. Generally what I did with my e90 is a quick spray on a rag dedicated to the exhaust tips after every return back to the garage. That kept them clean.

When they got bad, or during winter when I didn't do this daily, I used simple green along with a minimally abrasive sponge.

You could even use 00 steel wool.

There are also metal polishes that if those don't do the trick, will get that buildup right off.
Appreciate 0
      06-11-2015, 03:25 PM   #18
vanbmw
Major
vanbmw's Avatar
Canada
130
Rep
1,101
Posts

Drives: 2015 Black 335i
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Vancouver

iTrader: (0)

I use optimum meal polish. They say you can use 000 steel wool with it but I haven't had to. I just wipe it on with a cloth, let it dry and buff it with microfiber. Looks great. Any black that builds up on it will wipe off easily now. I reapply the metal polish every month or 2. Takes 2 minutes and looks great.
Appreciate 0
      06-11-2015, 05:38 PM   #19
CaliCanadian
Private
9
Rep
64
Posts

Drives: 2012 A4 / 2015 Alpina B6
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: California

iTrader: (0)

Do the exhaust tips come off? Spent 20 minutes using Never Dull or whatever but it had to effect on the stuff that was really crusted on. Found out that I can remove the exhaust tips, took it to my laundry room, found some metal scrubbing thing used for stainless steel appliances, and it had my exhaust tips looking practically new in 5 minutes.

The metal scrubbing pad I'm referring to is this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...1AYNB9W2SC67EQ

not the exact one but yea you should be able to find it anywhere.

OH and be very careful if the exhaust tips cannot be removed while using steel wool or metal scrubbing pads, it will destroy the paint on your car or anything that's plastic or whatever.
Appreciate 0
      06-17-2015, 10:19 AM   #20
CharlieVu
Second Lieutenant
48
Rep
241
Posts

Drives: 2013 328i x-drive Melbourn RED
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Denver

iTrader: (0)

Exhaust- NVR DULL and Chrome polish

I used a combination of products.

Carb Cleaner to Wet a Soft wool
Nvr Dull
and Chrome Polish
Attached Images
 
__________________
Charlie Vu
2013 328iX Melb RED- JB4 - AFE 5R Intake - B14 Bilstein - Morimoto H1 Projectors and LED Angel eyes- Morimoto HD Elite 50w 5500k H.I.D.
Appreciate 0
      06-17-2015, 10:43 AM   #21
vanbmw
Major
vanbmw's Avatar
Canada
130
Rep
1,101
Posts

Drives: 2015 Black 335i
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Vancouver

iTrader: (0)

Nice work Charlie! Huge improvement
Appreciate 0
      06-25-2015, 01:13 PM   #22
K_Ifti
New Member
5
Rep
29
Posts

Drives: F31 335d M Sport
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Cambridge

iTrader: (0)

Looks good. My first post on the forum. I'm back to BMW with a bang!!

Last edited by K_Ifti; 06-25-2015 at 01:14 PM.. Reason: Error
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:09 PM.




f30post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST