S3 dirty exhaust tips solution!

Trickydicky2

Trickydicky2

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After only 10 days of ownership I've noticed the exhaust tips get black quickly, and it's tricky to clean off completely

If you're finding the same then you might be interested in an approach I tried out today with great success...

I sprayed onto the exhaust tips some BBQ cleaner (Selleys brand here in Oz). It's non abrasive and works a treat combined with a dish washing sponge. The green scourer side is good for the super-stubborn sooty deposits on the inner lower lip. Leaves the whole thing looking shiny as new. Ripper!

I had previously tried wheel cleaner on one tip with little success

I've also got some BBQ wipes - like a giant thick baby wipe with rubbery nodules - from same brand that I might try on the alloys next clean. Will post a report here later...
 
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Some very fine steel wool also does the trick. Tardis works very well too. Just a shame the exhaust tips get filthy so quick!
 
Seen household silver polish (silvo or the like) recommended, not tried it myself though.
 
Thanks for the, er, tips...
 
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Scotty2011 said:
Some very fine steel wool also does the trick. Tardis works very well too. Just a shame the exhaust tips get filthy so quick!
Click to expand...

Only problem with using steel wool is that it will actually scratch the chrome plating, which may not be easily visible, but will surely be there. I would suggest using a liquid chrome cleaner is safer.
 
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I read somewhere that autosol is very good, I think you can get it from halfords.
 
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How long are most people leaving between cleans for the chrome tips?

Would have thought short wash cycles would mean very little effort to get it off with Meguiars NXT etc?
 
RYuill said:
I read somewhere that autosol is very good, I think you can get it from halfords.
Click to expand...

+1... I've also had good results with Autosol, even though it's a paste. I've also had good results using Brasso liquid.
 
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I've either used autosol or when I'm detailing customer cars I tend to use auto finesse mercury metal polish

I'm abit of an auto finesse whore I love working with the stuff
 
Autosol and a micro fibre cloth is what I use and get great results, I strongly advise NOT using steel wool as it will defo dull the finish eventually.
 
I've just taken to wiping mine with a damp cloth or paper towel when the exhaust is hot every few days and it comes off easily. I left my exhaust tips on my Golf GTI for a few months and I couldn't shift it, no matter what I tried, even steel wool and various metal polishes, so I won't make that same mistake again!
 
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Autosol all the way. Apply with a cloth. Rub it in and polish up.

Then floor it.
 
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Another user of Autosol here. I normally use it then some autoglym metal polish after.
 
Once a week with a wet sponge Or Mothers works superb. No steel wool. :keule:

100201.jpg



Trickydicky2 said:
After only 10 days of ownership I've noticed the exhaust tips get black quickly, and it's tricky to clean off completely

If you're finding the same then you might be interested in an approach I tried out today with great success...

I sprayed onto the exhaust tips some BBQ cleaner (Selleys brand here in Oz). It's non abrasive and works a treat combined with a dish washing sponge. The green scourer side is good for the super-stubborn sooty deposits on the inner lower lip. Leaves the whole thing looking shiny as new. Ripper!

I had previously tried wheel cleaner on one tip with little success

I've also got some BBQ wipes - like a giant thick baby wipe with rubbery nodules - from same brand that I might try on the alloys next clean. Will post a report here later...
Click to expand...
 
Is there anything wrong with using Cif to clean the exhaust?
 
audi upgrades
Buneet said:
Is there anything wrong with using Cif to clean the exhaust?
Click to expand...

Don't know about Cif but would suggest a proper metal polish/cleaner.

I did read a forum years ago where someone used Cillit Bang to get the brake dust off his alloys but it left an orange colour tinge behind.....
 
I'm presuming that these tips for keeping clean tips would apply to other models (or even other makes)?
 
I have always used Turtle Wax and exhaust pipes do not get dirty, but if they get dirty just wipe them gently and no scratched.
 
FLASH domestic cleaner, and I'll bet you're wife, or your Mom, has a bottle already under the sink... :think:

Here's my RS3 'original' tailpipes @ 7000-miles:

RS3_0995_zps88131894.jpg


Use an abrasive (wire wool etc) and you'll be sorry... :uhm:

Happy days, GO Flash...

 
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If the chrome plated tips are being referred to then brasso, or anything abrasive, is not a good idea as it will wear off the plating. I find just washing mine works fine. Inside the pipes is a different matter as steel wool will be ok....
 
Tried a new wheel cleaner yesterday, Bowden's Wheely Clean, a pH neutral product good for all wheel types. With a long wheel brush this did an awesome job on the wheels right through the barrels with minimal effort

You spray it on dry wheels and it turns a lurid, Gothic-looking blackish purple as it chews into the brake dust deposits

PLUS it works just as well on the exhaust tips. Way to go. One less bottle for the weekly clean

Think this is an Australia only product however
 
One of the other things to do which helps a lot is to unplug the exhaust flap motors as this then means that the gas/soot is spread equally over 4 pipes not just the inner two (for the majority of time). Less soot per pipe makes them easier to clean.
 
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I did mine at the weekend.

J-cloth generously covered in AutoGlym intensive tar remover and draped over the chrome tips for ~2 minutes then gently rub off. This lifted 90% of it with minimal effort and the J-cloth was caked in muck.

Followed by quick once over with Autosol & buff.

Now perfect and as new, though the exhaust doesn't seem to blare as much as before. Booooo.

John.
 
Itguy said:
One of the other things to do which helps a lot is to unplug the exhaust flap motors as this then means that the gas/soot is spread equally over 4 pipes not just the inner two (for the majority of time). Less soot per pipe makes them easier to clean.
Click to expand...

How do you unplug the exhaust flap motors? Any pics please?

Thanks

L
 
Louay said:
How do you unplug the exhaust flap motors? Any pics please?

Thanks

L
Click to expand...

Just get on the floor and take a look, you'll see the plugs on the motors which need to be disconnected, it's easy! Just make sure you tape up the plugs so the water doesn't get in.

Mine have been off for weeks now, it sounds a lot better now lower down the revs.

And it does help with the blackness or at least it's even!!
 
Got on the floor last night and had a good look at the exhausts etc. I would describe it as a black plastic box that sits on top of the inner exhaust pipe. If you get on the floor it makes perfect sense in terms of what to disconnect. The cable comes out of the top of the box.

Once disconnected, I'm planning to tape the end off with electrical tape and the plug it back in to stop crap getting in it etc which I think a few other people have done.
 
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Thanks guys I'll have I look at get back with some photos if required
 
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