Chrome Chipping off Exhaust Tips?

**laggster** · 31-03-2012, 02:18 PM

Hi Everyone,
Has anyone noticed the chrome chipping / bubbling off their exhaust tips?

I'm guilty of not cleaning my Golf's exhaust tips for months now, so I got myself a bottle of Purple Metal Polish and set to work.

As you can see it's quite grubby...

After a few minutes, the dirt / carbon nastiness is coming off nicely.

When I had a look underneath the exhaust, I noticed this:

Anyone seen this on theirs? or is this a result of my letting the carbon build up all nasty like?

I haven't been scrubbing it like crazy, eating through the chrome. I used a soft rag with the polish.
The last photo was taken only after a light polish had been done to the outside, I hadn't started work on the lip yet.

**brad** · 31-03-2012, 03:28 PM

It's from allowing the rubbish to stay on the chrome. The chemicals have eaten into it.

**laggster** · 31-03-2012, 03:49 PM

Originally Posted by brad

It's from allowing the rubbish to stay on the chrome. The chemicals have eaten into it.

I was thinking it would be something like that, thanks for the confirmation.

People clean your zorst pipes, otherwise they'll end up like mine!

**bull** · 31-03-2012, 07:10 PM

Are the tips stainless steel or are they steel that has been chromed. I thought they were generally stainless steel that would not be affected as shown. I know they are generally the cheaper type 304 stainless steel that maybe would pit and corrode with the heat .

**Mk3 AAA** · 31-03-2012, 07:27 PM

Take some advice from Mick Jagger...

**spellbound** · 01-04-2012, 05:26 PM

Originally Posted by laggster

I was thinking it would be something like that, thanks for the confirmation.

People clean your zorst pipes, otherwise they'll end up like mine!

Always do mine at ever wash with the finest steel wool , used it in my 2002 resto days was the best way to bring chrome back to life and maintain it , must be super fine .

**1stVeeDub** · 01-04-2012, 07:19 PM

I have a MY2011 118TSI and the exhaust tips dont seem to be chromed. Any suggestions as to how I should I keep those tips clean?

**brad** · 01-04-2012, 07:26 PM

Originally Posted by 1stVeeDub

I have a MY2011 118TSI and the exhaust tips dont seem to be chromed. Any suggestions as to how I should I keep those tips clean?

I wash my car every 2-6 weeks & do about 500km/week.

If you mean your tips are black paint, then they are the last thing I wash using a different sponge than the rest of the car. I do them inside & out & the sponge comes out black.

**MovieDude** · 20-06-2012, 03:21 PM

I've just bought a 2010 GTI and the chrome pipe covers (if that's what they're called) are very sooty. I've tried washing them using car wash detergent and a wheel brush but there are some very stubborn marks. What do you use?

**MIRSAD** · 20-06-2012, 03:57 PM

Originally Posted by MovieDude

I've just bought a 2010 GTI and the chrome pipe covers (if that's what they're called) are very sooty. I've tried washing them using car wash detergent and a wheel brush but there are some very stubborn marks. What do you use?

I am using this one:

Autosol Metal Polish - 75ml - Supercheap Auto Australia