Matt_182 Posted August 18, 2014 Share Posted August 18, 2014 As many of you know the HKS replica exhausts are known for tarnishing easily in the bad weather due to the poor metal quality. Mines looking worse for wear and I'm hoping to bring some life back into it but not sure where to start? Usually I'd use Brasso or another type of metal polish and that would be sufficient however I think I need more drastic action on this! I was thinking of maybe wet sanding the metal or using wirewool to really breakdown the top layer of crap and then trying to polish? I really like the exhaust so anything to make it look a bit better would help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stutopia Posted August 18, 2014 Share Posted August 18, 2014 I only ever do the tips but when I do use the Britemax Metal Twins. Not sure what your exhaust is made of, so you might want to check that before splashing any cash http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=152466 http://www.i4detailing.co.uk/shop/britemax-metal-twins-metal-cleaner-polish-and-sealant.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_182 Posted August 18, 2014 Author Share Posted August 18, 2014 Looks like some seriously good results! It'll be worth a try, thanks for the recommendation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stutopia Posted August 18, 2014 Share Posted August 18, 2014 The only downside is it takes a fair chunk of elbow grease and burns through microfibres (which will only be fit for the bin after!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jollyranchers Posted August 18, 2014 Share Posted August 18, 2014 any pics of it as it is now ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_182 Posted August 19, 2014 Author Share Posted August 19, 2014 Couple of pics below taken this morning - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stutopia Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 You might also consider adding http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/accessories/wire-wool/prod_377.html to your armoury. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_182 Posted August 19, 2014 Author Share Posted August 19, 2014 It's bad isn't it!!! Do you think it salvageable? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stutopia Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 It's bad isn't it!!! Do you think it salvageable? You'll never know until you get stuck in. Give it a rub for an hour and see where you are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisS Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Get a load of rags and a dose of WD40 and give it a good wipe down. Then you will be able to see what needs doing. Then probably '0000' wire wool and Meg All Metal. Or your polish of choice. AutoSol is a little more abrasive than Megs I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexdax Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 take it off and paint it.... take it off and send it to the metalization... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jollyranchers Posted August 21, 2014 Share Posted August 21, 2014 you will need 0000 wire wool on that , auto sol and britemax twins Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottiboy Posted August 22, 2014 Share Posted August 22, 2014 I found Autosol extremely good for getting out even tough marks on exhausts in the past - definatly worth a go of that first ..Scotty.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ts743 Posted August 22, 2014 Share Posted August 22, 2014 Looks like you have some oxidation on there. Give the whole thing a clean and then grab yourself some tin foil. Rub it into the oxidised areas using water to lubricate, you don't need to rub hard as it's a chemical reaction taking place, not abrasion. You can then follow up with a traditional polish. Prepare to be amazed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stutopia Posted August 22, 2014 Share Posted August 22, 2014 Looks like you have some oxidation on there. Give the whole thing a clean and then grab yourself some tin foil. Rub it into the oxidised areas using water to lubricate, you don't need to rub hard as it's a chemical reaction taking place, not abrasion. You can then follow up with a traditional polish. Prepare to be amazed. This is very interesting. Does kitchen aluminium foil work too, or just tin based? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ts743 Posted August 22, 2014 Share Posted August 22, 2014 (edited) Looks like you have some oxidation on there. Give the whole thing a clean and then grab yourself some tin foil. Rub it into the oxidised areas using water to lubricate, you don't need to rub hard as it's a chemical reaction taking place, not abrasion. You can then follow up with a traditional polish. Prepare to be amazed. This is very interesting. Does kitchen aluminium foil work too, or just tin based? Yes, it does - It's actually aluminium foil you need, I'm not sure I've ever actually seen tin foil before?! The aluminium is softer than steel, so it will not scratch the surface, it's non abrasive. Rust is metal that has taken on extra oxygen atoms (oxidation) and the aluminium leeches the oxygen atoms away from the rust, breaking it down. A by product of this is also a fine metal polishing compound consisting of the resultant aluminium oxide mixed with the water you're using to lubricate. I've used this many times, it's cheap and awesome! Edited August 22, 2014 by ts743 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_182 Posted August 22, 2014 Author Share Posted August 22, 2014 I'll give that a go for sure, thanks for the tips. I've also ordered some 0000 wire wool and Autosol to see if I can bring back some shine! I'll post in here with the results... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stutopia Posted August 22, 2014 Share Posted August 22, 2014 Looks like you have some oxidation on there. Give the whole thing a clean and then grab yourself some tin foil. Rub it into the oxidised areas using water to lubricate, you don't need to rub hard as it's a chemical reaction taking place, not abrasion. You can then follow up with a traditional polish. Prepare to be amazed. This is very interesting. Does kitchen aluminium foil work too, or just tin based? Yes, it does - It's actually aluminium foil you need, I'm not sure I've ever actually seen tin foil before?! The aluminium is softer than steel, so it will not scratch the surface, it's non abrasive. Rust is metal that has taken on extra oxygen atoms (oxidation) and the aluminium leeches the oxygen atoms away from the rust, breaking it down. A by product of this is also a fine metal polishing compound consisting of the resultant aluminium oxide mixed with the water you're using to lubricate. I've used this many times, it's cheap and awesome! I love this place. Always something new to learn thanks ts. Check out this vid on the same theme, but with a magical ingredient... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay M1988 Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 From experience I had an exhaust in the same state as yours while back and used tin foil with coca cola bottle. Worked a charm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_182 Posted August 24, 2014 Author Share Posted August 24, 2014 Progress so far after using foil (and water as I didn't have coke), 1000 wire wool and autosol. I didn't spend ages, maybe 20 mins and was pleased with the results so far. I need to get the car on a driveway and jacked up next weekend and start on stage 2! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stutopia Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 Nice progress Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay M1988 Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 Good work mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay M1988 Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 Good work mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ts743 Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 Looking good, glad the foil worked out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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