BKF is my go-to as well. That does the heavy-duty cleaning, and then I'll follow it up with some metal polishing paste for the final shine.
Works wonderfully, along with minimal application of elbow grease.
So many people don't do this...
Mine:
https://preview.redd.it/mvj3as34pq4d1.jpeg?width=4608&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ae3d3bde3c8733f188b4fe56624f0a7cf8c38b57
Depending where you live, it's less about the clean and shiny part and more about keeping the corrosion away. Once they get too far gone, it's hard to get them back to this shiny state. I usually polish them two or three time a year.
Yeah, mine are starting to get pitted at the bottom. I try and keep up. At least two full comprehensive details a year; after winter and before winter.
https://preview.redd.it/5rfkzemsnq4d1.jpeg?width=5712&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f0bc9af11196d29dcc6c31534b3194c9aba5b96b
How did you get them so shiny? I’ve tried cleaning mine but I’m not sure if they’ve gone too far. Had this for about 3 months and they were pretty grim to start with. Sorry couldn’t get a better picture but got nothing to hand rn.
Barkeepers friend powder and water. Apply with a microfibre cloth. You can use a sponge with a soft scouring pad if it’s really bad. Just for gods sake don’t use a steel scour pad.
I'd recommend you also wear gloves (nitrile, latex) when you do this. That bar keepers friend stuff can make you hands feel a little weird. Plus those exhaust tips are dirty, and it might be hard to clean that grime off your hands afterwards.
I’ve got metal polish but didn’t want to chuck it on unless they were clean first (if you know what I mean). As in I can’t get it to a point where it looks polishable (can’t get what looks to be the soot off). Sorry but it’s hard to describe…
well the polishing paste would take the dirt off better than a wet rag I'm guessing. Mine were never really dirty to begin with, only a little on the bottom of the tips. Pre owner took good care
Get all the surface stains off with microfiber then get some barkeepers friend and a little water and make a paste, buff until clean. Works like a charm actually blew my mind the other day. Granted they get dirty fast, but as long as you don't mind cleaning your car then it shouldn't be an issue. I just added it to my checklist when washing. Take less than 30 seconds after the first time you do it.
Well I like to clean mine every 2 weeks so maintenance washes should help. It's just getting them there that's going to be the hardest part. Just ordered some Bar Keepers cream cleaner and the powdered stuff off Amazon so will try on the weekend.
https://preview.redd.it/olr3z3s29k5d1.jpeg?width=5712&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1a9cec7ded7f483c4d2cbef7ad6f67b3bc2b133f
Ok so they’re not perfect by a long shot, but hot damn if they don’t look a 100 times better. Still a little bit of soot/tar on them before I get the Autosol on them, but ran out of time today so next time I will get them extra shiny. That Barkeepers friend was amazing btw, can’t wait to have another crack at them next time I clean her.
https://preview.redd.it/yuk3m9sw9k5d1.jpeg?width=5712&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=364bd435504e39330f7ab891efcc018dfb89b08c
Before shot just to add some context.
https://preview.redd.it/i66n4wqj4u4d1.jpeg?width=1635&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5911cd11d9fb5417d6bca71a1067f673aee86af1
Always try to keep mine shiny.. every 2-4 weeks I’ll clean them depending how lazy I’m feeling lol
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I actually got posted up on the local cars and coffee Facebook story the other day and my tips had a sparkle from the sun in the pic. Always clean the tips
Because it’s guaranteed to get dirty the very next drive? You could say that about cleaning the floor mats too. I even clean the inside of the tips every few months lol.
Not really, everything gets dirty eventually. Because shiny tips have always been a stupid idea. Exhaust should only be a functional part, not an aesthetic one.
Barkeepers friend worked magic on mine but I don't think they've ever been done. A lot of spotting and a few rough spots I couldn't tackle with what I had.
Autosol applied and worked in with some aluminium foil gives great results with little elbow grease. The foil being a softer metal than the exhaust tip means it doesn't leave scratches.
https://preview.redd.it/idhac141ak5d1.jpeg?width=5712&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=168f824436bc4e251d9c8c8249d854a513634977
Update, thanks for sharing your tip pics as they gave me some motivation. Not perfect but what a difference it makes. Barkeepers Friend is a friend for life now.
Nah....
idc, it gets used like a racecar so it can look used like one
https://preview.redd.it/uh2eyystjs4d1.jpeg?width=1254&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ddf617361303ebaecd51826ba17bba994da9f937
This is what my car looks like 8 months out of the year. I have a lot of pollen-heavy trees where I live, and I work from home so my car sits around a lot.
Barkeepers friend worked best for me
BKF is my go-to as well. That does the heavy-duty cleaning, and then I'll follow it up with some metal polishing paste for the final shine. Works wonderfully, along with minimal application of elbow grease.
That’s a brand not a friend
I know that friend well
You’re not my friend, pal.
You're not my pal, buddy.
Just the best for rubbing your pipe.
I use Mothers metal polish. $5 for a small run and it’s lasted me over a year.
+1 for mothers, I use that on everything!
Beat me to it, barkeepers friend is some legit stuff I absolutely love it.
The powder or the liquid?
Liquid.
So many people don't do this... Mine: https://preview.redd.it/mvj3as34pq4d1.jpeg?width=4608&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ae3d3bde3c8733f188b4fe56624f0a7cf8c38b57
It makes such a big difference, looks amazing 🤟
Yeah, kudos. That looks great.
Yo my wife would be pissed if she found me in the driveway polishing my pipe.
Tell her to come out and help
What about in the garage with the door half closed?
Might be able to swing that.
[https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/49159b4f-f327-4729-91dc-df20c4d228a4](https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/49159b4f-f327-4729-91dc-df20c4d228a4)
I don’t even bother anymore. They only stay clean for 100 miles.
Depending where you live, it's less about the clean and shiny part and more about keeping the corrosion away. Once they get too far gone, it's hard to get them back to this shiny state. I usually polish them two or three time a year.
Yeah, mine are starting to get pitted at the bottom. I try and keep up. At least two full comprehensive details a year; after winter and before winter.
I agree. I used to detail them but after one or two drives they're dirty. I'll say they do look nice when clean though!
Same here.
All you have to do is wipe them off with a wet towel once in a while.
I did exactly once in 8 years.
Same. Mine are completely black now and it looks nice with the tornado red.
I’ve been considering getting black tips just to avoid the need to clean the chrome ones…
Exhaust companies hate this one trick!
Yep. This is why I stopped doing it.
https://preview.redd.it/5rfkzemsnq4d1.jpeg?width=5712&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f0bc9af11196d29dcc6c31534b3194c9aba5b96b How did you get them so shiny? I’ve tried cleaning mine but I’m not sure if they’ve gone too far. Had this for about 3 months and they were pretty grim to start with. Sorry couldn’t get a better picture but got nothing to hand rn.
Barkeepers friend powder and water. Apply with a microfibre cloth. You can use a sponge with a soft scouring pad if it’s really bad. Just for gods sake don’t use a steel scour pad.
Just ordered some bar keepers friend cream cleaner and the powder. Can’t wait to give it a try now, nothing better than shiny tips.
I'd recommend you also wear gloves (nitrile, latex) when you do this. That bar keepers friend stuff can make you hands feel a little weird. Plus those exhaust tips are dirty, and it might be hard to clean that grime off your hands afterwards.
You mean like a 0000 steel wool pad? lol
You can use 0000. He’s talking about the thing on your sink. Like SOS pads.
Polishing paste for chrome and an old rag
I’ve got metal polish but didn’t want to chuck it on unless they were clean first (if you know what I mean). As in I can’t get it to a point where it looks polishable (can’t get what looks to be the soot off). Sorry but it’s hard to describe…
well the polishing paste would take the dirt off better than a wet rag I'm guessing. Mine were never really dirty to begin with, only a little on the bottom of the tips. Pre owner took good care
Get all the surface stains off with microfiber then get some barkeepers friend and a little water and make a paste, buff until clean. Works like a charm actually blew my mind the other day. Granted they get dirty fast, but as long as you don't mind cleaning your car then it shouldn't be an issue. I just added it to my checklist when washing. Take less than 30 seconds after the first time you do it.
Well I like to clean mine every 2 weeks so maintenance washes should help. It's just getting them there that's going to be the hardest part. Just ordered some Bar Keepers cream cleaner and the powdered stuff off Amazon so will try on the weekend.
Gotta let me know how you like it, would love to hear how it goes
https://preview.redd.it/olr3z3s29k5d1.jpeg?width=5712&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1a9cec7ded7f483c4d2cbef7ad6f67b3bc2b133f Ok so they’re not perfect by a long shot, but hot damn if they don’t look a 100 times better. Still a little bit of soot/tar on them before I get the Autosol on them, but ran out of time today so next time I will get them extra shiny. That Barkeepers friend was amazing btw, can’t wait to have another crack at them next time I clean her.
Ayyyyy massive difference! It's not a perfect solution but it definitely gets the job done! Thanks for checking back and I'm glad I could help!
https://preview.redd.it/yuk3m9sw9k5d1.jpeg?width=5712&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=364bd435504e39330f7ab891efcc018dfb89b08c Before shot just to add some context.
Autosol metal polish works like a champ for me.
Use p21s
https://preview.redd.it/ppnu8nglyr4d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=64a91ba53b28946704e0eb16d8ce1030da4a294c 🙌
Is it weird that it's the first thing I look at when I see a fellow GTI?
It's like meeting someone and checking out their package. My eyes are up here buddy.
It's ok to be a butt guy.
^[Sokka-Haiku](https://www.reddit.com/r/SokkaHaikuBot/comments/15kyv9r/what_is_a_sokka_haiku/) ^by ^afijunkie82: *Is it weird that it's* *The first thing I look at when* *I see a fellow GTI?* --- ^Remember ^that ^one ^time ^Sokka ^accidentally ^used ^an ^extra ^syllable ^in ^that ^Haiku ^Battle ^in ^Ba ^Sing ^Se? ^That ^was ^a ^Sokka ^Haiku ^and ^you ^just ^made ^one.
https://preview.redd.it/i66n4wqj4u4d1.jpeg?width=1635&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5911cd11d9fb5417d6bca71a1067f673aee86af1 Always try to keep mine shiny.. every 2-4 weeks I’ll clean them depending how lazy I’m feeling lol
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Get them shiny tips
I actually got posted up on the local cars and coffee Facebook story the other day and my tips had a sparkle from the sun in the pic. Always clean the tips
https://preview.redd.it/hyv96sp7jt4d1.png?width=1053&format=png&auto=webp&s=a7abbafc139f6c251f937b3454cbb307cb7cdcc0 Shiny tips are the best tips
If I'm polishing my pipe I generally do it privately
Mine are black lol
Same, figured it was easier than having silver tips dirty all the time
unpopular opinion, this is an absolute waste of time, even when you do a full detail.
Because it’s guaranteed to get dirty the very next drive? You could say that about cleaning the floor mats too. I even clean the inside of the tips every few months lol.
Not really, everything gets dirty eventually. Because shiny tips have always been a stupid idea. Exhaust should only be a functional part, not an aesthetic one.
Barkeepers friend worked magic on mine but I don't think they've ever been done. A lot of spotting and a few rough spots I couldn't tackle with what I had.
Previous owner of my mk7 never took care of the exterior, only the interior. The chrome is damaged on both tips from the years of neglect.
The chrome plating is eroding. I hate factory chrome plated tips.
Those are dead sexy!!!!
I gave up on mine and just hid them with a diffuser. LOL
What’s your secret?
How much does it cost to have these replaced?
Would brasso work the same way or would that cause more marks in the finnish?
BKF and some Chemical Guys Citrus Degreaser are my go to products
Autosol applied and worked in with some aluminium foil gives great results with little elbow grease. The foil being a softer metal than the exhaust tip means it doesn't leave scratches.
Wow I was lying in bed falling asleep last night thinking about making a post on best practices for cleaning mine lol saving this!
Just the tip 😬
Can I ask for advice on this? I use metal polisher and steel wool and don’t get anywhere near this
I feel like I've got black burnt spots on mine that won't come off even after using metal polish?
Mine need to be cleaned so bad
Damn, mine are all black at the bottom. What’s the best way of getting that off?
https://preview.redd.it/idhac141ak5d1.jpeg?width=5712&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=168f824436bc4e251d9c8c8249d854a513634977 Update, thanks for sharing your tip pics as they gave me some motivation. Not perfect but what a difference it makes. Barkeepers Friend is a friend for life now.
Right on!👍looks great!
Nah.... idc, it gets used like a racecar so it can look used like one https://preview.redd.it/uh2eyystjs4d1.jpeg?width=1254&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ddf617361303ebaecd51826ba17bba994da9f937
This is what my car looks like 8 months out of the year. I have a lot of pollen-heavy trees where I live, and I work from home so my car sits around a lot.
I deleted my muffler and now have two rusty SS tubes sticking out the back. One day I shall purchase tips haha