How To Clean Chrome Exhaust Pipes On Car

Peterson Evagarmaked1952 · Friday, 19 November 2021

03-31-201708:24 AM #1

Established Member Two Rings

Cleaning Chrome Exhaust Tips

Hi AZ Family. So I've searched around and read up on the threads for cleaning exhaust tips and have tried most of the suggestions but it's not working out for me.

I have some AWE Chrome exhaust tips and have been trying to clean them with minimal results. I clean the tips every time I wash the car and there's always some carbon buildup remaining and now it's gotten to the point where it's "caked on". I live in MI so the winter season was a bit hard to wash at times, but I made sure I cleaned the tips the best I could.

Any suggestions on what removes "caked on" carbon buildup the best? I'm open to ideas.
Thought about trying a old clay bar method, but Idk if that'll help.

I've tried:
1. Never Dull
2. Adam's metal Polish
3. Bar Keepers Friend
4. ?
5. ?

Thanks for your inputs!

|2012 B8 S4 | DSG | Prestige | B&O | | Black / Alcantara | BFI Alcantara Shifter | CTS Turbo Intake | Eurocode Trans Mount | Custom Headlights | AWE Touring Exhaust |

|2006 B7 A4 | 6-MT | Navi | Black / Black Leather | APR Tuned - SOLD
03-31-201708:43 AM #2

Veteran Member Three Rings

Did you try steel wool with a heavier compound?

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03-31-201708:46 AM #3

Established Member Two Rings

Originally Posted by 968Reckless

Did you try steel wool with a heavier compound?

I thought about that too, but didn't know if that would scratch the chrome.

|2012 B8 S4 | DSG | Prestige | B&O | | Black / Alcantara | BFI Alcantara Shifter | CTS Turbo Intake | Eurocode Trans Mount | Custom Headlights | AWE Touring Exhaust |

|2006 B7 A4 | 6-MT | Navi | Black / Black Leather | APR Tuned - SOLD
03-31-201708:59 AM #4

Senior Member Three Rings

Double check to see if the black is actual caked on carbon deposits or if the chrome had rubbed off. Those yellow pittings further inside the tips are definitely chrome that had rubbed off. My tips are the same way and I gave up cleaning the inside now.

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2016 Sepang S4 P+
6MT | Black Nappa Leather | Tech Package | Carbon Inlays | Sport Diff | Vag Com Mods | Xpel Ultimate | Ecodes | BFI GS2 | Carbon Mirrors | Alu Kreuz | 034 Drivetrain Mount Inserts | Bilstein B16 RideControl | Eurocode Sway Bars and End Links | AWE Resonated Touring Exhaust 90mm | BBS CH-R | Deval Diffuser | Ecode Taillights | ECS Street Shield | 034 Subframe Mount Inserts | Carbon Imports Low Kick Spoiler | Porsche 19Z BBK
03-31-201709:05 AM #5

Established Member Two Rings

Originally Posted by noyzcij3

Double check to see if the black is actual caked on carbon deposits or if the chrome had rubbed off. Those yellow pittings further inside the tips are definitely chrome that had rubbed off. My tips are the same way and I gave up cleaning the inside now.

Yeah I figured the chrome has rubbed off on the deeper areas, but hoping to salvage the exterior part. Sad cause I've had this for less than a year. Bought the system brand new.

|2012 B8 S4 | DSG | Prestige | B&O | | Black / Alcantara | BFI Alcantara Shifter | CTS Turbo Intake | Eurocode Trans Mount | Custom Headlights | AWE Touring Exhaust |

|2006 B7 A4 | 6-MT | Navi | Black / Black Leather | APR Tuned - SOLD
03-31-201709:08 AM #6

Veteran Member Four Rings

Blue Magic works great for me!

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'14 Misano Red S4/APR Stage II+ DP ECU+TCU & UC/187mm Crank & AWE 57.55mm SC Pulleys/CMD Charge Chamber Intake/KW V1 Coilovers/EuroCode Sway Bars & AluKreuz/CR-15/034 Trans Mount/Apikol Rear Diff Mount/ECS Rear Diff Carrier Mounts/CMD Test Pipes/AWE Reso.Downpipes/AWE Track Exhaust 102mm Tips/Vossen HF-3 19" x 9.5"/Michelin PS4S'/StopTech Drilled Rotors/Akebono Euro Ceramic Pads/StopTech SS Lines

Also: 2015 SQ5 Prestige | 2003 A4 Avant Quattro 6MT

Previous: 2010 S4 P+ | 2008 A4 S-Line
03-31-201709:11 AM #7

Established Member Two Rings

Originally Posted by stereojorge

Blue Magic works great for me!

Wow!!! Yours came out great. Was your tips caked on? How long did it take you to clean them?

|2012 B8 S4 | DSG | Prestige | B&O | | Black / Alcantara | BFI Alcantara Shifter | CTS Turbo Intake | Eurocode Trans Mount | Custom Headlights | AWE Touring Exhaust |

|2006 B7 A4 | 6-MT | Navi | Black / Black Leather | APR Tuned - SOLD
03-31-201709:16 AM #8

Veteran Member Four Rings

cerama bryte cook top cleaner works well too.
03-31-201709:28 AM #9

Veteran Member Three Rings

You only need to clean an inch or so into the tips. Use grade 0000 steel wool.

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03-31-201709:39 AM #10

Veteran Member Four Rings

Originally Posted by 968Reckless

You only need to clean an inch or so into the tips. Use grade 0000 steel wool.

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I have used 0000 steel wool with WD40 and it works pretty well. My muffler tips were already pretty far gone by the time I was turned onto this method, but I would say it got them back to 80% good condition which was satisfactory.

2015 Daytona Gray S 4
6MT / Sport Diff / B&O / Tech Pkg / Carbon Atlas / Black Alcantara
Mods: S5 Peelers, Xpel Ultimate, 3M Color Stable Tint 35%, Bilstein PSS10, Euro Code Alu Kreuz, Eurocode Sway Bars, Moog Endlinks, CR-15, Eurocode Meisterwerk ASTS, AWE Resonated Touring Exhaust, ECS Luft-Technik Intake, 034 Transmission Mount, HCX LED 3000k Fog Lights, Apikol Rear Diff Mount
03-31-201709:48 AM #11

Senior Member Three Rings

Cleaning Chrome Exhaust Tips

Mine actually only lasted about 3-4 months. It was fine when I washed the car once a week or every other week. I didn't wash the car for about three to four weeks after a snowstorm, the tips couldn't be saved anymore after that.

Edit: notice those yellow pittings are actually chrome that had came off.

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2016 Sepang S4 P+
6MT | Black Nappa Leather | Tech Package | Carbon Inlays | Sport Diff | Vag Com Mods | Xpel Ultimate | Ecodes | BFI GS2 | Carbon Mirrors | Alu Kreuz | 034 Drivetrain Mount Inserts | Bilstein B16 RideControl | Eurocode Sway Bars and End Links | AWE Resonated Touring Exhaust 90mm | BBS CH-R | Deval Diffuser | Ecode Taillights | ECS Street Shield | 034 Subframe Mount Inserts | Carbon Imports Low Kick Spoiler | Porsche 19Z BBK
03-31-201709:53 AM #12

Established Member Two Rings

I use mothers chrome polish for my awe 102 tips. Easy to use I just use paper towel with it. Removes those black grimes.

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03-31-201709:59 AM #13

Veteran Member Four Rings

Originally Posted by noyzcij3

Mine actually only lasted about 3-4 months. It was fine when I washed the car once a week or every other week. I didn't wash the car for about three to four weeks after a snowstorm, the tips couldn't be saved anymore after that.

Edit: notice those yellow pittings are actually chrome that had came off.

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I have the same result. Unless they are being cleaned once a week, I think the finish degrades quickly. Bummer.

2015 Daytona Gray S 4
6MT / Sport Diff / B&O / Tech Pkg / Carbon Atlas / Black Alcantara
Mods: S5 Peelers, Xpel Ultimate, 3M Color Stable Tint 35%, Bilstein PSS10, Euro Code Alu Kreuz, Eurocode Sway Bars, Moog Endlinks, CR-15, Eurocode Meisterwerk ASTS, AWE Resonated Touring Exhaust, ECS Luft-Technik Intake, 034 Transmission Mount, HCX LED 3000k Fog Lights, Apikol Rear Diff Mount
03-31-201710:00 AM #14

Established Member Two Rings

Originally Posted by grrrrrrr

I use mothers chrome polish for my awe 102 tips. Easy to use I just use paper towel with it after i use adams waterless wash. Removes those black grimes.

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03-31-201710:01 AM #15

Veteran Member Four Rings

Originally Posted by grrrrrrr

I use mothers chrome polish for my awe 102 tips. Easy to use I just use paper towel with it. Removes those black grimes.

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+1 for Mothers metal polish

Worked great for me in the past on previous exhausts.

2016 Audi SQ5 | Technik | Glacier White | Magma | Black Optics | Beaufort Inlays | Roc-Euro | CS-II Titanium Ceramic | EPL Stg 1 | Eurocode USS
2014 Audi SQ5 Estoril- STOLEN / RIP
2015 Toyota Rav4 - Family Wagon
03-31-201710:08 AM #16

Veteran Member Four Rings

Spray on rim cleaner works very well for baked on carbon buildup on the tips

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03-31-201710:18 AM #17

Established Member Two Rings

Thanks for the tips everyone. Really appreciate it.

So I just went out and bought some Blue Magic Polish, and some 0000 steel wool (I have compound at home). I'll give both those methods a try. (Prob try the clay bar method as well.)
I'll post a cleaning review for sh**s and giggles afterwards.

|2012 B8 S4 | DSG | Prestige | B&O | | Black / Alcantara | BFI Alcantara Shifter | CTS Turbo Intake | Eurocode Trans Mount | Custom Headlights | AWE Touring Exhaust |

|2006 B7 A4 | 6-MT | Navi | Black / Black Leather | APR Tuned - SOLD
03-31-201710:33 AM #18

Established Member Two Rings

I followed suit and just bought some Blue Magic and some 0000 steel wool as well. Been wanting to polish some trim parts to match the freshly painted grill anyhow.

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03-31-201711:35 AM #19

Senior Member Three Rings

Ever try Coke and crumpled aluminum foil and/or steel wool? I've never tried it on carbon build up but I have on rust and it works pretty dam good
03-31-201712:00 PM #20

Veteran Member Three Rings

Blue Magic is great stuff. I've been using it for years. It also leaves sort of a protective barrier on the metal so that its easier to wipe off carbon later without having to use the product again so soon.
03-31-201712:09 PM #21

Established Member Two Rings

Originally Posted by youloze

Blue Magic is great stuff. I've been using it for years. It also leaves sort of a protective barrier on the metal so that its easier to wipe off carbon later without having to use the product again so soon.

That's great to know. Hopefully it'll do the trick for me as well.

- - - Updated - - -

Anyone try the Mothers Polishing cone or ball with good results?

|2012 B8 S4 | DSG | Prestige | B&O | | Black / Alcantara | BFI Alcantara Shifter | CTS Turbo Intake | Eurocode Trans Mount | Custom Headlights | AWE Touring Exhaust |

|2006 B7 A4 | 6-MT | Navi | Black / Black Leather | APR Tuned - SOLD
03-31-201701:35 PM #22

Veteran Member Three Rings

Originally Posted by S4Robo

That's great to know. Hopefully it'll do the trick for me as well.

- - - Updated - - -

Anyone try the Mothers Polishing cone or ball with good results?

It's really just a way to polish it once you've cleaned it up. I don't think it's needed.

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03-31-201701:35 PM #23

Veteran Member Three Rings

P21S Polishing Soap works very well with the provided sponge they use. I use it all the time when I detail other vehicles in the spring time. I would buy #000 steel wool as well and use it in conjunction with the soap. I bought my AWE exhaust used and I had to do that to remove all the carbon. It looks like new now. :)

2011 Phantom Black Effect S4 6MT Prestige, Sport Differential, Flat-Bottom Steering wheel with red stitching, RS4 Aluminum pedals, 034 Transmission mount, Roc-Euro Intake, Roc-Euro Short Shifter, 90mm AWE Touring Exhaust with stock downpipes, Unitronic Stage 2+, JHM 179mm Overdrive Crank Pulley, MercRacing heat exchanger, Stasis rear sway bar, CR-15, Gloss Black RS4 Grille, Sachs Xtend Clutch, 034 Density-Line Motor Mounts, Bilstein B12 Suspension Cup-Kit
03-31-201701:51 PM #24

Senior Member Three Rings

I reached out to AWE when I bought my exhaust with black diamond tips. Those are easy to damage the finish. He said stick with soap and water with a sponge and put wax on them.

I use Finish Kare 1000P Hi Temp past wax or Poorboys Wheel Sealant after every few car washes. I use Chemical Guys Metal Polish when they need a better cleaning.

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2014 S6 Black - APR Stage 2 ECU+TCU, APR DP, AWE Exhaust, HRE-FF01, Black Optics, P3, ALP, Escort Redline 360, Blackvue, 034, carbon diffuser, carbon mirror covers, Roc-Euro intake, ECS Tuning sways, H&R lowering module
03-31-201703:07 PM #25

Established Member Two Rings

Sonax wheel cleaner to get the brunt of it off then take the Mother's chrome polish as others have recommended to seal the deal.

2014 S4 6MT PBP-TITANIUM-SPORT DIFF-BLACK OPTICS
H&R COILOVERS/VOSSEN 20X10 CV2/ROCEURO/AWE TOURING/CR-15/ECS BUSHINGS/ECS CF DECK LID/ RS4 GRILL/ECS SKIDPLATE/BFI AlCANTRA/LED KIT/3M
03-31-201704:10 PM #26

Established Member Two Rings

I've used eagle one never dull with great success as well. It's a fairly soft cotton wad.

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03-31-201704:13 PM #27

Established Member Two Rings

Sorry missed the never dull in your original post. What about some acetone or lacquer thinner on a microfiber just to break thru the built up carbon.

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03-31-201704:14 PM #28

Veteran Member Four Rings

Originally Posted by SteveYem

I have used 0000 steel wool with WD40 and it works pretty well. My muffler tips were already pretty far gone by the time I was turned onto this method, but I would say it got them back to 80% good condition which was satisfactory.

x2, if my tips were in great shape I'd stick with some polish but they were black when I got the car and only so much could be done. The pics below are from an A6 that went 15 months with no attention and treated with the WD40 and steel wool

Current: 2010 Imola S4 Prestige 6MT
Past: 2007 Audi A4 3.2 Quattro
03-31-201705:47 PM #29

Established Member Two Rings

So here are some results. I was going to do a review on the suggested products but then I found one that worked and couldn't be happier.

Blue Magic polish with 0000 steel wool. Takes some elbow grease but it works like a charm. Note the deeper areas the chrome rubbed off but I was still able to remove the buildup.

Hope it works for you guys too. Took me maybe 10-15mins per tip.

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|2012 B8 S4 | DSG | Prestige | B&O | | Black / Alcantara | BFI Alcantara Shifter | CTS Turbo Intake | Eurocode Trans Mount | Custom Headlights | AWE Touring Exhaust |

|2006 B7 A4 | 6-MT | Navi | Black / Black Leather | APR Tuned - SOLD
03-31-201706:01 PM #30

Veteran Member Four Rings

What clamps are those, I like them much better than the factory clamps from AWE. Tips turned out nice, I always use wool and wd.

2014 S4 P+ Glacier White DSG/ EPL Stage 2 ECU/ TCU
Black Optic/ B&O/ Sports Diff/ Carbon Atlas/ V1/ P3/ Carista/ ECS CF Intake/ ECS CF Diffuser
Bilstein B8/ H&R OE Springs/ H&R 10-12mm Spacers/ Eurocode Sways
C-Quartz/ Suntek PPF/ AWE Touring 102/ 034 X-Brace & Inserts/ / Akebono Pads/ CR-15/ VLED VX3 LED Fogs
03-31-201706:06 PM #31

Established Member Two Rings

Originally Posted by 14S4GWM

What clamps are those, I like them much better than the factory clamps from AWE. Tips turned out nice, I always use wool and wd.

Those are actually AWE clamps. The screws and bolts rusted so I replaced them with some new ones from Ace Hardware (only $1.00 for all)

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|2012 B8 S4 | DSG | Prestige | B&O | | Black / Alcantara | BFI Alcantara Shifter | CTS Turbo Intake | Eurocode Trans Mount | Custom Headlights | AWE Touring Exhaust |

|2006 B7 A4 | 6-MT | Navi | Black / Black Leather | APR Tuned - SOLD
03-31-201707:11 PM #32

Veteran Member Four Rings

Originally Posted by S4Robo

Those are actually AWE clamps. The screws and bolts rusted so I replaced them with some new ones from Ace Hardware (only $1.00 for all)

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I contacted awe about those clamps because I saw them on a bunch of tips and they told me they have not changed their clamps from the originals. I ended up purchasing 4 new ones of the old style that I don't like. How old is your exhaust? I'm curious if those are a newer or older version.

2014 S4 P+ Glacier White DSG/ EPL Stage 2 ECU/ TCU
Black Optic/ B&O/ Sports Diff/ Carbon Atlas/ V1/ P3/ Carista/ ECS CF Intake/ ECS CF Diffuser
Bilstein B8/ H&R OE Springs/ H&R 10-12mm Spacers/ Eurocode Sways
C-Quartz/ Suntek PPF/ AWE Touring 102/ 034 X-Brace & Inserts/ / Akebono Pads/ CR-15/ VLED VX3 LED Fogs
03-31-201707:25 PM #33

Veteran Member Three Rings

Mine are coated in ceramic pro 9H. Heat resistant to 1400 F and the soot comes off with sprayed on soapy water then a spray of the hose with my thumb over the end

| 13' S4 | Estoril Blue | 6MT | 034 stage II | PLM | KW H.A.S. | HRE FF15 | Stoptech ST-60 | AWE touring | Vorsteiner Aero | Roc Euro |
| 18' A3 e-tron | HOV Sticker |
03-31-201707:39 PM #34

Veteran Member Four Rings

Cleaning Chrome Exhaust Tips

Originally Posted by 14S4GWM

What clamps are those, I like them much better than the factory clamps from AWE. Tips turned out nice, I always use wool and wd.

Those clamps are integrated into the tip itself. It's the new style that AWE is using.

Edit: here's a pic of my black tips

Double edit: AWE is full of crap if they told you they never changed. The exhaust I bought for my '13 S5 (purchase around nov 2012) had the old clamps that were actual clamps that could be removed. As you can see below, the new clamps are a part of the tip and can't be removed.

2016 Monsoon Gray Q5 Prem Plus, Tech, Sport, 19's (Click for thread)

2012 Brilliant Black S4 Prestige, 6 speed (Build) (Sold)
2015 Brilliant Black A3 Cab (Sold)
2006 Quartz Gray A4, 6 speed (Sold)
2013 Phantom Black S5, 6 Speed (Sold)
2001.5 Nogaro S4, 6 Speed (x2) (Sold)
03-31-201707:44 PM #35

Veteran Member Four Rings

^ Welp that explains it, thanks

2014 S4 P+ Glacier White DSG/ EPL Stage 2 ECU/ TCU
Black Optic/ B&O/ Sports Diff/ Carbon Atlas/ V1/ P3/ Carista/ ECS CF Intake/ ECS CF Diffuser
Bilstein B8/ H&R OE Springs/ H&R 10-12mm Spacers/ Eurocode Sways
C-Quartz/ Suntek PPF/ AWE Touring 102/ 034 X-Brace & Inserts/ / Akebono Pads/ CR-15/ VLED VX3 LED Fogs
03-31-201707:49 PM #36

Veteran Member Four Rings

Originally Posted by 14S4GWM

^ Welp that explains it, thanks

Welcome. Not sure if you saw my second edit, but yea, this style is the new type. If you want them you'll have to buy a whole new set of tips unfortunately.

Just to throw it out there for anyone, I am going to be selling that set of diamond black tips - 90mm. PM if interested. EDIT: Sale thread is now live http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...lack-tips-90mm

Last edited by DannyDeez; 04-03-2017 at 04:52 AM.

2016 Monsoon Gray Q5 Prem Plus, Tech, Sport, 19's (Click for thread)

2012 Brilliant Black S4 Prestige, 6 speed (Build) (Sold)
2015 Brilliant Black A3 Cab (Sold)
2006 Quartz Gray A4, 6 speed (Sold)
2013 Phantom Black S5, 6 Speed (Sold)
2001.5 Nogaro S4, 6 Speed (x2) (Sold)
04-01-201706:22 AM #37

Veteran Member Four Rings

Wd40 and a rag

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04-03-201704:40 AM #38

Active Member One Ring

Originally Posted by stereojorge

Blue Magic works great for me!

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Outcome is absolutely beautiful!!

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04-03-201705:10 AM #39

Established Member Two Rings

ok so for the people having issues cleaning stubborn exhaust tips this worked for me , go to your closest kitchen and underneath the sink there are "sponges" the one with the scrubbing pad on one side and soft pad on the other grab that then get some metal polish and go to work.

13' s4 ,ibis white ,b&O, sport diff , dsg , full nappa

Epl stg2/dsg flash . Cts pulley . Ecs Kohlefaser Luft-Technik . Rotiform spf 19x10 all around . Enlaes decklid . Rs4 grill . Deval diffuser . Ecs diff mounts . H&R OE springs . Awe Touring .....
04-03-201706:53 AM #40

Veteran Member Four Rings

Really try wd40
Spray it let it set
Spray again and wipe it off

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