How to remove black carbon deposit on chrome tailpipes?

[ksher]

I always use Autosol to polish the chrome exhaust tailpipes after car wash, and it can normally remove deposit on the metal. After 2 freezing cold months (lack of car wash), the deposit is getting worse and it can't be removed with Autosol.

What can I do to remove it? Can I use fine sandpaper and then polish the pipes with Autosol? Any advices welcome.

 

[Redzedfour]

Was doing that very job this afternoon and have got the same problem and was using Autosol also,so would interested to know my self.

 

[aquazi]

Prob not the best advice but i use the scourer from a small dish sponge.

Made my exhaust tips come up sparling.

 

[jhbuining]

Whatever you do, don't start with abrasive methods (like scouring pads, steel wool, sandpaper).
If regular cleaning agents fail try a metal polish first. Apply with a cloth and some elbow grease.
I've used this stuff for eons, mainly on motorbikes, but it works on chrome exhaust tips as well:
http://www.thepolishingshop.co.uk/acatalog/Belgom.html

 

[a11y]

Autosol plus steel wool here and it comes up as new

 

[Redzedfour]

Autosol plus steel wool here and it comes up as new

What grade of steel wool do you use?

 

[pvr]

I have used Autoglym tar remover as well to get the spots off.

 

[texasjohn]

Petrol works quite well at dissolving stuff too, but wipe it off quick after you're done.

Scourer (or steel wool) is ok on the inside of the exhaust pipe. I cleaned up my pipes using Autosol and a terry cloth on the outsides, lots of effort required. If you have a dremel you could wrap the tip in some cloth and use that I guess.

I used a scourer (washing up sponge) with some petrol and then Autosol on the insides of the pipes. I didn't think to use steel wool but I have some...Thanks for the tip.

 

[a11y]

Autosol plus steel wool here and it comes up as new

What grade of steel wool do you use?

Not sure to be honest, haven't got the packaging any longer but I guess it's fairly mild.

 

[ksher]

I have used Autoglym tar remover as well to get the spots off.

Good idea. I forgot I have BMW Tar Remover at home.

 

[ace]

try carburettor cleaner first then polish with autosol

 

[Voodoo]

Try gently with some scotch brite, then autosol.

 

[cj10jeeper]

Must be a time of year thing as I polished my exhausts today.

Cleaned the exterior with chrome cleaner (seems to me the correct product for chrome pipes) Brought the insides up a treat to.

Frankly I'd never use any sort of sandpaper, wire wool as it's too aggresive and will just create a better hold point for dirt next time.

 

[daveg]

If you are going to use wire wool make sure it is very fine grade, 0000 is the finest:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130270568226

I soaked mine in very hot soapy water for a while. A green scouring pad got the baked on stuff off but did leave some minor swirling on the pipes so would not advise. Made a quick job of it though if you just want them clean.

 

[ksher]

If you are going to use wire wool make sure it is very fine grade, 0000 is the finest:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130270568226

I soaked mine in very hot soapy water for a while. A green scouring pad got the baked on stuff off but did leave some minor swirling on the pipes so would not advise. Made a quick job of it though if you just want them clean.

Can I get this ultra fine steel wool (0000) from Halfords/B&Q/Homebase? I will try tar remover first to see if it can dissolve the deposit. If not, I will get the steel wool.

 

[daveg]

Seems so but likely to be more expensive:

http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?action=detail&fh_secondid=9253250&fh_view_size=10&fh_location=%2f%2fcatalog01%2fen_GB&fh_search=wool&fh_eds=%C3%9F&fh_refview=search&ts=1268004713043&isSearch=true

The more 0's the finer the wool:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steel_wool

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=49518

 

[sk93]

Must be a time of year thing as I polished my exhausts today.

Cleaned the exterior with chrome cleaner (seems to me the correct product for chrome pipes) Brought the insides up a treat to.

Frankly I'd never use any sort of sandpaper, wire wool as it's too aggresive and will just create a better hold point for dirt next time.

+1

 

[Dads203]

You can try Mr Muscle oven cleaner, Be very careful not to get any on the paint work as it will strip it clean. I've used it in the past on my old 330 and it removes most of the black staining very easily. I then polish using the AG Metal polish.

Personally I wouldn't use sandpaper as you'll never get out the scratches and they will become harder to clean in the future.

 

[jhbuining]

Word of warning with respect to oven cleaners... they will seriously discolour certain kinds of metal! Aluminium will become a deep blue/black color which is next to impossible to remove...

Geez, what's up with you guys? scouring pads, sandpaper and now this... what happened to a bit of TLC and some elbow grease?

 

[Bobbydm]

FYI I used a product called luster lace. Its designed to clean spokes on chrome wire wheels, I had some in the garage so thought I'd try it on my exhaust trims as they looked pretty bad. It wraps around the exhaust pipe and all you need to do is pull on each end to clean it to near perfection. The strip is slightly abrasive and soaked in polish. Its a bit like soaking a shoe lace in polish but quite a bit more advanced due to the material of the strips. Might be worth giving it a try before going for the wire wool

Also it gets in between the pipes really easily!