Exhaust Pipe Cleaning

**Koyaanisqatsi** · 10-03-2001, 07:11 PM

Anyone else experience problems with the spray bottle you got z-6 in? Mine doesn`t seem to work very well. It sprayed in a very uneven pattern. I actually put the stuff in a old FI spray bottle.

**TortoiseAWD** · 10-03-2001, 07:21 PM

<blockquote class=`ipsBlockquote` >

<em class=`bbc`>Originally posted by Koyaanisqatsi [/i]
<strong class=`bbc`>Anyone else experience problems with the spray bottle you got z-6 in? Mine doesn`t seem to work very well. It sprayed in a very uneven pattern. I actually put the stuff in a old FI spray bottle. [/b]</blockquote>Yep. Seems to be a crap shoot as to whether the spray nozzle will work well or not; 3 of the 4 bottles I`ve bought since using Zaino have dribbled badly, the fourth works quite well. The finest, most even spray I`ve found so far comes from the spray nozzle of an old Meguiar`s Quik Detailer bottle (not FI, this is the red "consumer-line" product).

I think you`re on the right track . . . find a spray bottle that has a pattern you like (and that doesn`t leak), and keep it for your QD-du-jour.

Tort

**tthomp82** · 02-08-2010, 09:10 AM

So I got me some steel wool #0000 and will be attacking the nasty black exahust pipes on the 335i.

Do you guys just use a diluted APC on this or do you use a metal polish?

**imported_Luster** · 02-08-2010, 10:31 AM

I use metal polish. For me, the "go-to" brand is Happich Simichrome. It`s been around for 40 years and it`s still one of the best IMO.

These are also very good:

Mother`s Billet Aluminum Polish
Poorboy`s Pro Polish for Metal
NEVR Dull Metal Wadding Polish

And, although I haven`t used it, if BLACKFIRE Wet Diamond Aluminum Show Polish is near the quality of any of the other Blackfire products, it`s sure to be a winner!

**imported_Flash Gordon** · 02-08-2010, 10:39 AM

I use Full Strenght APC along with xxxx steel wool. After you get that mess off then you can polish with your fav metal polish. 3m also carries a abrasive pad. I tend to use this more and more as most of the cars I do aren`t that bad to begin with

**imported_Roadrunner** · 02-08-2010, 11:01 AM

I`m with Bill on the Simichrome... great stuff, been using it for years also. I recently purchased some Optimum metal polish and it works very well.

Make sure you wear some gloves as full strenth APC will dry your skin out a bit and all that dirt/soot from the pipes is hard to get off your hands afterwards.
Like Flash said, full strenghth APC with 4x0 steel wool, rinse, do it again, rinse and then metal polish. It takes awhile but if you work at it, those pipes will clean up nice.

**tthomp82** · 02-08-2010, 12:46 PM

Is Simichrome something you can get at your local pep boys etc or is it something you have to order online?

I have access to mothers and already have the nevr dull.

I will be sure to take pictures.

I already messed around with one for a couple of minutes just to see how it would work but it is pretty caked on... this after the dealership "detail" that did not include an interior wipedown. haha.

**imported_Luster** · 02-08-2010, 12:59 PM

Originally Posted by tthomp82

Is Simichrome something you can get at your local pep boys etc or is it something you have to order online?

Any Harley-Davidson store or Marbeck Appliance.

**imported_Flash Gordon** · 02-08-2010, 04:21 PM

Originally Posted by Luster

Any Harley-Davidson store or Marbeck Appliance

Now thats an inside scoop :wink:

**imported_Luster** · 02-08-2010, 04:45 PM

Originally Posted by Flash Gordon

Now thats an inside scoop :wink:

Yeah, I discovered that by accident one day when I was shopping for a vacuum cleaner belt!

**bmw5541** · 02-08-2010, 05:12 PM

I really like the P21S Polishing Soap. Does a great job on my tips!

**imported_Flash Gordon** · 02-08-2010, 05:48 PM

Originally Posted by Luster

Yeah, I discovered that by accident one day when I was shopping for a vacuum cleaner belt!

Nothing better then stumbling on a hidden treasure...Reminds me of the wheel brushes @ tha zone. I feel like driving cross~country buying everyone of them I can get my hands on :cornut:

Originally Posted by bmw5541

I really like the P21S Polishing Soap. Does a great job on my tips!

Hmmmm, Sounds like some intresting stuff. Wanna trade for some wheel brushes

**imported_TLMitchell** · 02-08-2010, 05:51 PM

Originally Posted by bmw5541

I really like the P21S Polishing Soap. Does a great job on my tips!

S100 polishing soap is the same stuff at a fraction of the price. Most of the S100 products are derivitives of P21S. Another one available at Harley-Davidson dealers. I`m also betting the H-D swirl remover in the black tube is the original Meg`s Swirl X v1.0. I`ve got a tube of each and can`t tell them apart.

TL

**Leadfootluke** · 02-08-2010, 07:15 PM

Originally Posted by bmw5541

I really like the P21S Polishing Soap. Does a great job on my tips!

Any tips on usage? I just picked some up for $4 :thumbup:

**imported_TLMitchell** · 02-08-2010, 08:01 PM

Originally Posted by Leadfootluke

Any tips on usage? I just picked some up for $4 :thumbup:

Nice score! Just as the directions say, wet the pad, smear it on the polish and it`ll work to a soaplike lather. Wipe er off and reapply as necessary.

I let the pad air-dry before snapping it back under the lid for storage.

TL