Polishing exhaust tips, not sure what material they are.. Help needed

[Marc Hufnagel]

I'm working with a 2008 Hyundai Sonata SE, with dual exhausts. The tips are shiny metal, but I have no idea if they are chrome or stainless or just what they are.

Here is an example (best I could find without taking a pic of mine directly, as it's raining here today).



Suggested product?

[CieraSL]

Re: Polishing exhaust tips, not sure what material they are.. Help needed

I'd say with a fair amount of certainty that they're chrome. Try Meguiar's Hot Rims Chrome Polish. I think a lot of the pros here on MOL use M105 to polish them up good first, and then go to the chrome polish. If you don't have M105 you can just one-step it after you clean the tailpipes with soap and water.

[Marc Hufnagel]

Re: Polishing exhaust tips, not sure what material they are.. Help needed

I'd say with a fair amount of certainty that they're chrome. Try Meguiar's Hot Rims Chrome Polish. I think a lot of the pros here on MOL use M105 to polish them up good first, and then go to the chrome polish. If you don't have M105 you can just one-step it after you clean the tailpipes with soap and water.

The bad part is, that I can't get a buffer on them due to the location. I have the Ultimate compound and swirlx.

I've also been able to find some specs online for the 2008 model and it lists "chrome dual exhaust tips" so at least now I know what I'm dealing with.

[akimel]

Re: Polishing exhaust tips, not sure what material they are.. Help needed

I used to think that my S2000 tips were chrome, but I've been assured by a couple of folks at one the S2K forums that they are in fact stainless steel. No one really seems to know for sure. I even called the Parts Department at the Honda dealer, and they couldn't find out either. So anyway, I have switched from chrome polish to Megs' Hot Rims Mag & Aluminum Polish. I understand that this polish is also safe on chrome, just in case I'm wrong about the tips being stainless steel.

[CieraSL]

Re: Polishing exhaust tips, not sure what material they are.. Help needed

The bad part is, that I can't get a buffer on them due to the location. I have the Ultimate compound and swirlx.

I've also been able to find some specs online for the 2008 model and it lists "chrome dual exhaust tips" so at least now I know what I'm dealing with.

I think they use M105 by hand on tight areas like that. A Mother's Powerball would probably work good, too.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Polishing exhaust tips, not sure what material they are.. Help needed

I used to think that my S2000 tips were chrome, but I've been assured by a couple of folks at one the S2K forums that they are in fact stainless steel. No one really seems to know for sure. I even called the Parts Department at the Honda dealer, and they couldn't find out either. So anyway, I have switched from chrome polish to Megs' Hot Rims Mag & Aluminum Polish. I understand that this polish is also safe on chrome, just in case I'm wrong about the tips being stainless steel.

We had the local S2000 club here for a Saturday Detailing Clinic and took some Hot Rims Mag & Aluminum Polish to the tips on a 100k+ miler car that had been a bit neglected. Working by hand in just a few minutes we got this:

[akimel]

Re: Polishing exhaust tips, not sure what material they are.. Help needed

The bad part is, that I can't get a buffer on them due to the location.

My Honda exhaust tips are easily removed. Have you checked yours?

I take mine off every few months, drop them in the wash solution bucket for a couple of minutes, rinse them off and dry them, polish them, and then put them back on the car.

[CieraSL]

Re: Polishing exhaust tips, not sure what material they are.. Help needed

We had the local S2000 club here for a Saturday Detailing Clinic and took some Hot Rims Mag & Aluminum Polish to the tips on a 100k+ miler car that had been a bit neglected. Working by hand in just a few minutes we got this:

Can you say bling bling?!!

[akimel]

Re: Polishing exhaust tips, not sure what material they are.. Help needed

Wow! I think I'm going to have to work on mine a bit more. I sure haven't gotten mine to shine that like!

[Murr1525]

Re: Polishing exhaust tips, not sure what material they are.. Help needed

I like to use Bug and Tar Remover if needed, then clean all over with the Aluminum Wheel Wash.

As mentioned the Hot Rims M&A would be good if you dont know what they are, though I doubt they are chrome.

Here's a regular old muffler that got some shine.

[CieraSL]

Re: Polishing exhaust tips, not sure what material they are.. Help needed

I like to use Bug and Tar Remover if needed, then cle nallo ver with the Aluminum Wheel Wash.

What does cle nallo ver mean? Is that a foreign language? JK! I think you mean clean all over. LOL!

[Murr1525]

Re: Polishing exhaust tips, not sure what material they are.. Help needed

Sometimes I forget to run the spell check...

[3Fitty]

Re: Polishing exhaust tips, not sure what material they are.. Help needed

On the inside...

M105 + Mother's Powerball (small) with a drill and prepare for the bling.

[akimel]

Re: Polishing exhaust tips, not sure what material they are.. Help needed

cle nallo ver

And here I thought Mat was trying to impress us with his Latin. How disappointing to discover it was just a couple of typos.

[Megafast13]

Re: Polishing exhaust tips, not sure what material they are.. Help needed

I would say they are polished aluminum, or stainless steel. I highly doubt that any chain automaker would use chrome because it is such a pain to produce compared to other metals. Aftermarket kits on the other hand are different.

Simply use Mag & Aluminum Polish and an applicator pad or towel. It is an excellent product.