Best way to polish an exhaust back to "old glory"
 

Hi there,

I am trying to sell a (non-Boxster) exhaust online.
In the pictures it shows some oxydation and doesn't look too great/appealing. (I got a few messages about it).
What's the best method and chemicals to polish a stainless steel exhaust back to its shiny old self?

Thanks

Solvol Autosol metal polish. I use that **** on everything!

If that doesn't work, you might try "Bar Keepers Friend". I haven't tried it on auto exhaust but I use it on my stainless cooktop and it works great for that application.

I used mother's Mag & Aluminum Polish on my Boxster's exhaust.

http://images.stylintrucks.com/produ.../m405100_1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ps07dfbec5.jpg

Wow, is that and OEM back box you've made look that shiny?

If it is an option, remove the tip and use a cloth buffing wheel mounted to a bench grinder along with some compound. Failing that, a buffing cloth attachment for a drill, if no there follow Chuck's advice along with some elbow grease.

I have heard (Not tried) that Coke and foil work.

See the YouTube video: How to clean chrome - YouTube

It is an OEM '03 exhaust I had modified by FD Motorsports. While it was off the car I polished to a mirror finish. No one besides me enjoys it. ;)

WOW! Did you use a microfiber cloth or a polisher extension for a power tool?

Never Dull will sure help you get it clean. You can polish from there.

Looks great. I used noxon, I think that's what it's called. I cleaned it up, but nothing like that. If you can put a polishing head on your power drill it would go a long way. Otherwise you'll need a lot of elbow grease.

I enjoyed it.

Just a rag and buffed it with a microfiber cloth.. all by hand.

Me too!

I was under the impression from looking at my rusty OEM muffler that it was just galvanized mild steel. Chuck, does it stay shiny like that without a lot of maintenance? It looks like stainless. Nice!

I have a 99 and it was not pretty. I researched and discovered its stainless steel. I got some fine wet sandpaper sat down in the driveway in my bathing suit and a hose and wet sanded it with the fine sandpaper. I think it was 800 then 1500 grit then dried it off and waxed it. Looked great!

Mikez is right, it is stainless steel. I have about 3,000 miles on the muffler when that photo was taken. Very easy to maintain once you get it to shine.

you must have strong hands because that's really an impressive result. I have polished Fabspeed tips and using the Mother's polish and the Never Dull has not made a budge in the caked-on carbon. I'm hessitant to get out the dremmel, I might just send it out.

I once worked with a DIY'er guy who polished exhaust manifolds to mirror shines from oatmeal finishes. He used some sort of wheel brush.

Perfectlap, I have had carpal tunnel. Honest! Its a labor of love cause the things that break on these cars is unbelievable!

I am OCD with polishing things. A good day is waxing the cars. I laid 950+ feet of vinyl composite tile in my garage. Then waxed it.... and wax it. Then bought a high speed burnisher (buffer) off of Craigslist, and once a week everything gets drug out of the garage and I do my thing. Life is good....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...2/P1000048.jpg

*cough*

WOW I though I was bad when I did the exhaust on my TT years back. The wife couldn't understand why I would use so much time to polish something, as she put it, "that no one will ever see." It made me happy though!

Center pipe before:
http://www.evan.com/boxster/milltek_non_res_center.jpg

After polishing. Blue magic metal polish and a buffing wheel on a drill.
http://www.evan.com/boxster/non_res_polished.jpg