Cleaning exhaust tips

[AndyDavies]

Hello, my first real post so please be gentile if I'm being stupid. I've tried searching for an answer but couldn't find anything.

I've recently got my first Mercedes, a S211 320 CDI (amazing!!!) I've been cleaning it up (clay, polish, wax etc) but I'm having problems with the exhaust tips. They're a bit sooty and I'd like to take them off to give a proper clean.

I've tried removing the allen bolt underneath but they're not budging. Is there anything else to undo or should I just "persuade" them to move? Sorry if this is a dumb question or in the wrong section.

Thanks in advance

Andy

 

[AndyDavies]

Sorry, also meant to ask if there is anything better than autosol to use

 

[Starky]

Ask rash, I'm sure he will be along soon.

 

[KillerHERTZ]

Brasso works wonders on mine

 

[R2D2]

On my c350 I not only had to loosen the Allen key but I also had to use a fair bit of leverage. Before using Autosol I also used auto glym tar remover.hth

 

[Rashman]

Sorry for the late reply.. only just seen this thread.

It seems that the tailpipes are fixed using different methods.

On some cars, they are spot-welded in place. Whereas on others, it sounds like Allen bolts secure them in place.

Mine are spot-welded which meant that I had to clean mine up in situ.

Not a problem, but it does mean you have to be a bit of a contortionist. Especially if you're working with the car on the ground and not in the air.

I used a few grades of sandpaper to work the tailpipes down on the I sides and the lower tailpipe lips.

Once I had worked the crap and grooves out (took about 1.5 hours on each one), I then hit them with Autosol for the following few evenings.

Came up a treat.

Some suggest using a dremel.

Personally, I like to work by hand. It's easier to monitor progress.

Some also do not recommend using sandpaper so I think it's best to find what works for you or find a way that you're comfortable with.

I also gave my back boxes and related pipework a going-over a few weeks back too.

 

[vealige]

As above or a fine wire wool, tar remover, metal Polish and a quick detailer to help remove polish.

All depends on how much crap is stuck to the exhaust. Either way its not a 5 min job and takes patience and time.

 

[AndyDavies]

Thanks everyone, I'll give it a go

 

[Tazz666]

you can also get a polishing bar and a polishing mop for a hand drill, that also does an excellent job

 

[azaman]

Once you have the allen bolt off you may need to wiggle the tips up and down a little (a lot) to free them from the exhaust. I used hot water and a brillo pad, came up really nice but a few stubborn marks remained.

 

[xkillz]

I took mine off to get them polished at a metal polisher and it came back and I was amazed still not using it don't want to get them dirty

 

[A R]

A wet sand paper can do the trick ( hi grade ) to remove the pitting, on older tips that have corroded. For light stains farecla g10 works a treat!

 

[chessers]

Fine wire wool, tar remover and metal polish should bring them up nicely and a lot of elbow grease.

If you would like to clean inside the pipes as well, then same process and finish off with a polishing cone, these make life a lot easier.

'Mothers' do a power cone which is pretty good.

 

[b1g1an]

If you would like to clean inside the pipes as well, then same process and finish off with a polishing cone, these make life a lot easier.

Depending on what yours is like be wary of cleaning the insides...if the pipe is a lot smaller than the tip, which most are, you just emphasise how fake they are

If you must have them clean you'd be better off painting the inside black and keeping that clean.

 

[Barachello]

I had intended to have a go at mine tomorrow, thanks for the tips!

 

[Herishi]

Just posted a similar question. I removed the allen bolt but they dont budge!

Got the worst off of one of them but still a way to go but its a bit cold outside in the evenings.

This is what the one i havent started yet looks like

 

[Herishi]

And the one i have started cleaning

 

[HughSurrey]

I did mine the other night, undid the allen bolt and it required a little 'adjusting' with a small hammer on the back end to bring it off. There is a small clip that the allen key threads into, make sure you keep a hold of it as you take the tips off.

 

[Herishi]

Ill give it another try tomorrow

 

[KurlyKris]

When I had a W211, as per Rashman`s post earlier, mine were tack welded on to the exhaust, the tack was actually inside the tailpipe, unfortunately I don`t have a piccy of it, but it would need grinding off before the tip would come off.