Cleaning Rusty Tailpipes? (Removing Surface Rust)

Phil W · 23 Sep 2006 at 22:12

Hi All,

Whats the best way of going about this?

I have an Astra GTE exhaust on the Sport, which i think looks pretty good as it is, however the tailpipes have seen better days, and have a lot of surface rust.

What is the best method of removing the surface rust, and getting the shine back in the chrome again ?

Here's a pic of the rear to show you how the exhaust currently looks...

Cheers,

Phil

gurusan · 23 Sep 2006 at 22:14

honestly I would either replace it with a nice stainless muffler, or remove it and give it a good sanding, then polish.

agw_01 · 23 Sep 2006 at 22:22

I'd definitely consider a nice stainless steel backbox.

Something like a nice 2.5-3" rolled jobbie. Would look superb!

gurusan · 23 Sep 2006 at 22:24

agw_01 said:
I'd definitely consider a nice stainless steel backbox.

Something like a nice 2.5-3" rolled jobbie. Would look superb!

Should sound great too.

Phil W · 23 Sep 2006 at 22:24

agw_01 said:
I'd definitely consider a nice stainless steel backbox.

Something like a nice 2.5-3" rolled jobbie. Would look superb!

Its into considerations at the moment mate, however that is something that would have to wait a month or two, and i'd like to try and make the current one look as nice as possible

P.S. - it will most likely be a 5x3 oval

Broadbandplacey · 23 Sep 2006 at 22:24

i think theres an autoglym product thats for poloishing metal, comes in a silver box.

my bro used it for polishing his stainless steel pipe > dont know about its rust capabilities though

Phil W · 23 Sep 2006 at 22:25

Would a dremel polishing tool do the job?

andi · 23 Sep 2006 at 22:27

You could try a metal polish (brasso is as good as any), but the rust has most likely removed the chrome finish.

Downsy · 23 Sep 2006 at 22:57

A bit ghetto but I've heard coca cola and aluminium foil will shine chrome. Worth a try?

agw_01 · 23 Sep 2006 at 23:03

As has been suggested, try a very light sandpaper... maybe 600-800 grit and then polish it back up with either brasso or some Autoglym stuff.

NXT Metal Polish is supposed to be very good.

Oh, and your perception is all wrong...

is the win!

pinkaardvark · 23 Sep 2006 at 23:14

You want a tube of Autosol, it's a bit like toothpaste, just rub on and polish off. If you have a dremel that can help take some of the labour out. If the metal is too far gone it will be pitted and theres not much you can do about that, but the autosol will bring the chrome up and is available pretty much everywhere for a few quid.

S@njay · 24 Sep 2006 at 12:38

Most simple way if the surface rust is not that thick, is to use wire wool. Will pollish up that dull surface quite nicely and qucikly.

No ammount of pollish will make that exausht look good!

j/k!

ZXSpectrum · 24 Sep 2006 at 12:54

Downsy said:
A bit ghetto but I've heard coca cola and aluminium foil will shine chrome. Worth a try?

Thats on Chrome...

It was on mythbusters the other day and worked a treat.

The_Dark_Side · 24 Sep 2006 at 12:54

i came into this thread thinking it was about some bizarre, obscure fetish called "cleaning Busty tailpipes".

i have to say i'm disappointed.

Fireblade2K4 · 24 Sep 2006 at 13:18

agw_01 said:
As has been suggested, try a very light sandpaper... maybe 600-800 grit and then polish it back up with either brasso or some Autoglym stuff.

NXT Metal Polish is supposed to be very good.

Oh, and your perception is all wrong...

is the win!

How far does that pipe stick out :eek:

What backbox you got on there??

Stu

agw_01 · 24 Sep 2006 at 17:00

Tis a Scorpion system. 3.5" tip, 2.25" (I think) bore.

It was originally off a Coupe and I'm sure you know what the rear bumpers on those are like.

They stick out at the bottom instead of being curved like the GSi bumpers. It doesn't actually look as bad as it does in the photo.

Sounds nice though