As I promised, I was going to show some before and after pictures of the exhaust system. Before I do that, let me tell you what I used and how:
1. Remove excess dirt using Poorboy's waterless wash and microfiber towel.
2. Turtle Wax bug and tar remover via soft toothbrush, then bug sponge.
3. Removed excess film created by Bug and Tar remover with Poorboy's waterless wash.
4. Sonus Clay bar (the grey one) and Sonus "Glyde" clay lubricant.
5. Poorboy's Pro Polish applied with soft sponge (at this stage it is very difficult to really polish the metal because of the tight spacing...no true chrome polish was available at the time, it was all out).
6. Since Poorboy's didn't seem to improve anything by much, I tried Klasse All In One without much of an improvement (as expected since Pro Polish is supposed to be stronger than All In One).

Bottom line: I really don't feel like the look was improved that much, but maybe that's just my opinion. Super-duper small spots are still lingering, and I don't like the way the chrome tips came out. The car had about 10,000 miles since the tips were last cleaned, so probably so it would seem only natural to see some pitting. I'll have to get some more true chrome polish for that.

Here are the before pictures (please try to ignore my poor picture-taking skills):

 

Afters:



As mentioned above, I feel a little frustrated with the outcome, but looking at the pictures have me believe that tomorrow, when there is actual light hitting the exhaust, they will look alot nicer. Lastly, take note that only picture number 5 is of the left tip...the rest of the pictures focus on the right tip.

 

If you are looking for a great shine on the inside of the exhaust tip, try using Brasso. Only use it on the unfinished metal as it will mar the chrome on the out side of the tip. Finish it off with a little Klasse AIO and you are set.

 

My .02 Clean the outer ring and just paint the inside section flat black.
I am considering painting the inside back section of my rims flat black too as I am getting tired of trying to keep them clean.

 

To be honest, I really don't like the exhaust with the black paint stuff on the inside portion. But to all their own. Thanks for the comment though.

 

Try using Eagle One Never Dull. It was recommended on this forum before I believe by Andrew. I use it and it works great.

 

~ yep it was me...


my exhaust care.... i wipe them out after every washing. and i use "nevr dull" wadding polish (non-abrasive) once a month or so to maintain the shine.

link & info... http://www.nevrdull.com/

 

I am in indecision between that and NXT...we'll see which one's available at the time I go to purchase!

 

I usually just spray my wheel cleaner in there, then take one of my old toothbrushes and scrub it down. A little bit of extra time will always net good results!

 

You must have some strong wheel cleaner, cause mine only took off about 20% of the grit after going at it with a toothbrush.

 

Wheel cleaner, let it sit for a few minutes, go at it with a detail brush, car soap, and water. Scrub away. Comes out good as new. I've been doing this though every wash since I've purchased the car. Never gave it any time to build up.

 

See, here's the problem, I never got to see my car for months because of college!

 

I went to the auto parts store today and picked up Eagle 1 Nevrdull as Andrew recommended. I love this thing. I never thought I would be cleaning the black stuff off the exhaust pipes. But I cleaned my XF, my wife's X5 and my Avalon's tailpipe. I'll post the pic on my gallery. Now my tailpipe is just as clean as Andrews.

 

Well I can't believe all the polishing of tail pipes... I can't show any before pic's as mine are clean, pay no mind to the pic's my wife took of me working behind the XF on my knees...

 

I use Solvol autosol good stuff use on any alloy stainless etc a dremil drill is also a good way of applying it to the inside of the tail pipes polish and buff in one go, all the nice bikes that you see on the custom scene use this type of cleaner you can polish alloy casings to a chrome finish with it takes time though.

 

Andrew, is that your real name, you sure it's not Felix Unger? You have too much hair to be the real "Mr. Clean".

 

can't you see the resemblance?? i have a toupee, brown in color, dye the brows and removed the ear ring.

i do this in public... the autograph thing gets old. lol

Mrclean_circle1.jpg

my new avatar.

 

ROFLMAO...

It looks just like you!

 

That's perfect!!! And funny...I don't care who you are!

 

Thanks Andrew. Never knew about this product. Worked Great.