Tailpipe Polishing Question

[TXOlds]

Does anyone know where the thread is that tells you how to get the paint, etc. off of the stock tips so you get them down the the stainless steal ? I have been searching, but I can't find it. Thanks!

[Marc]

What you need is ZAR paint remover. It's at the site noted below. Brush it on, let it sit for about 10 minutes, and remove the residue with steel wool. I used it on the tailpipe tips of my 2001, as you can see.........................







www.ugl.com/maintenanceRepairSpecialties/removingAndRefinishing/zarPaintAndVarnish.php

[TXOlds]

Very nice. I like that look. Thanks for the tip. I like the stock look of the tips, I just don't like the ugly black that mine have become.

[Custom88]

mine are covered in rust already.

the thread telling how to do it was on the second site.

[Marc]

txolds said:

Very nice. I like that look. Thanks for the tip. I like the stock look of the tips, I just don't like the ugly black that mine have become.

I have wondered for some time now why GM decided to cover up that stainless steel with that paint!

[Aurora40]

marc said:

I have wondered for some time now why GM decided to cover up that stainless steel with that paint!

Probably because they use cheap stainless steel and it will rust. Though the paint seems cheap too, as it generally flakes off after a year or so. Mine was flaking when I removed the mufflers, and they were probably only a year old by then.

[Custom88]

Here's mine just after polishing them..


and now 3 months later

[TXOlds]

Do you think some type of rust inhibitor would prevent that ? I work at a large factory, and we have a spray that we put on SST parts the keeps them from rusting. I wonder if that would help here ?

[Marc]

I have found that the best way of keeping the tips shiny and rust free is to polish them with steel wool. I do this once a week.

[erw38]

Marc, you have way to much free time.

[Marc]

C'est la vie

[macadamiaman]

Hehe, Custom88, your pipes look exactly like mine. And I have never touched mine (other than drive through car washes last winter)

[vojtazbrna]

I polishe mine with a regular chrome polish every other weekend when I wash the whole car...it works just perfect. They're always nice and shiny.

[luvmybravada]

What about spraying them with a clearcoat right after polishing?

[TJM]

^ that's what i did with mine - they do stay clean for along time but the clear coat tends to burn a bit if the car sits idling for a while. polishing with paint cleaner etc helped but they never came back to the "just cleared" look.