Remove chrome scratches (chrome exhaust tips) - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

HBRAMSTEDT · 3rd March 2004, 04:01

Don't use steel wool or SOS pads with soap as some motorcycle web sites mention. Steel wool or SOS pads will create medium depth scratches.

You cannot effectively remove large scratches or heavily scratched chrome surfaces by hand. In desperation I took out my Porter Cable dual action buffer sold by Meguiars. I used Meguiar's finest foam pad, the finishing pad. I applied Blue Magic chrome polish from Kragen auto parts to the foam pad and set the machine to the lowest speed, 1. I was shocked to see heavy chrome scratches disappear from the tail pipe within 30 seconds. The chrome finish was flawless under bright light.

Things just can't be this easy. The finish was perfect. The only difficult part is getting to the hard to reach areas around the exhaust pipes. I ordered 8" foam pads to reach recessed areas, instead of the standard 6" pads.

ELEVENS · 3rd March 2004, 20:07

You had me going there for a minute, I thought you were going to report that you ruined your mufflers!

Nice work!!!! That Blue Magic stuff is great, no?

MIB · 5th March 2004, 06:27

For those of you who also have too much time on your hands.

apt333 · 8th March 2004, 14:39

Whoa. For tips that look that great I will have to make some time. I assume those are not stock tips. My stock ones are not chromed on the inner lip-ie the 1/2 of chrome on the inside of the pipe. I have generally cleaned this area with a soft toothbrush, and the best I can get too is a soft dull gold finish.
The downside of the this is that they stay clean for one short trip before they blacken up again.
Thx for pix

Terk · 8th March 2004, 15:45

There goes MIB flashing his "TIPS" again.

Yoda is looking good as always Mark.

Regards,

T.

iMac · 8th March 2004, 18:11

Hi,
I used normal stainless steel cleaner from kitchen (usually it's used for dishes, sink...) and it worked excellent , just you need to take some time and polish one by one with old shirt (cotton) and result will come.

Cheers
iMac

MIB · 9th March 2004, 01:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terk

There goes MIB flashing his "TIPS" again.

Yoda is looking good as always Mark.

Regards,

T.

Hey T-man, whats up buddy.

apt333 That is a TUBI. (The finest exhaust on the planet)

HBRAMSTEDT · 9th March 2004, 01:32

To get more than just a shiny chrome surface, I mean a somewhat optically clear finish that really picks up light, I am experimenting. It is just like paint polishing which I have learned immensely from. Creating highly-reflective and
clear surfaces requires a different technique. It is micro-polishing that makes the true new car look, not that dull just washed and waxed look. I find the washed and waxed look of a used car to look depressing. It has to have that highly reflective, optically sharp look that a new car has. The loss of reflective light sometimes comes from scratches that are so small you can't even see them. My standards are way higher than most everyone on the board, but the standards are clearly discernible to even the untrained. I see more and more M5s that look sad and dull, especially as the M5s out there age.