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General => Detailing => Topic started by: adekil on 17 April 2017, 15:45

Title: Advice needed on cleaning Golf R tailpipes
Post by: adekil on 17 April 2017, 15:45
So my tailpipes are now blending in with the rest of the black and looking for tips on getting these sparkly clean again.

What products should I use to get that soot off, brushes, rags, cleaning fluids, etc etc..?

Thanks in advance
Title: Re: Advice needed on cleaning Golf R tailpipes
Post by: Watts on 17 April 2017, 15:50
Top stuff!

http://www.motherscarcare.co.uk/cgi-bin/pbw.cgi?Command=ShowEPage&db_epid=30

Brings them up a treat :smiley:
Title: Re: Advice needed on cleaning Golf R tailpipes
Post by: kalimon on 17 April 2017, 15:55
I use this simply because I already had some that I use on my fire surround.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Peek-33100-50ml-Tube-Paste/dp/B000TRQFGM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1492440589&sr=8-3&keywords=peek+metal+polish

Although I'm sure the mothers stuff is better
Title: Re: Advice needed on cleaning Golf R tailpipes
Post by: adekil on 17 April 2017, 15:58
Top stuff!

http://www.motherscarcare.co.uk/cgi-bin/pbw.cgi?Command=ShowEPage&db_epid=30

Brings them up a treat :smiley:

Thanks, I have seen this recommended but assumed this is used only after the thick soot is scrubbed off, this is the bit I need advise on, how to get the soot off and by using what, any type of rag, a special brush etc?
Title: Re: Advice needed on cleaning Golf R tailpipes
Post by: Watts on 17 April 2017, 16:28
I normally just wash them as I do the rest of the car except I'll use my wheel mitt after finishing the wheels at the same time as the underside of all the plastic sill extensions and inside the wheelarches. Then dry and apply the Mothers with a foam pad and buff off with a microfibre. Booth recommended a presoak with wheel cleaner (Bilberry) which I also do. Prior to becoming educated, I used to just use a non-stick washing up pad but don't tell my OH :lipsrsealed: It wasn't very good but it was cheap :whistle:
Title: Re: Advice needed on cleaning Golf R tailpipes
Post by: adekil on 17 April 2017, 17:33
OK daft question then, there's no mention of using wire wool to clean the tailpipes whereas other videos I've seen use these, should I or shouldn't I use them?
Title: Re: Advice needed on cleaning Golf R tailpipes
Post by: Watts on 17 April 2017, 18:03
Not found the need myself and mine were pretty minging when I first used Mothers. Seems to be plenty of guides online and some certainly do use wire wool, get some Mothers and give it a go, worked for me :smiley:
Title: Re: Advice needed on cleaning Golf R tailpipes
Post by: JB GTI on 17 April 2017, 18:32
If you do use wire wool use 0000 grade and go easy :smiley:
Title: Re: Advice needed on cleaning Golf R tailpipes
Post by: adekil on 17 April 2017, 18:47
Ah thanks all for your comments, best get ordering some Mothers Mag and plenty of cloths  :smiley:
Title: Re: Advice needed on cleaning Golf R tailpipes
Post by: Booth11 on 17 April 2017, 19:21
As above, Mothers Mag and aluminium polish is excellent.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mothers-Mag-Aluminium-Polish-5oz/dp/B00068GEJM

I pre-wash with a few squirts of Bilberry Wheel Cleaner, then they get washed along with rest of car - snow foam, 2 bucket wash but I use a dedicated wheel woollie on the pipes which helps to shift the carbon (shoved in the pipe and rotated around). Finally, they are polished up with Mothers Mag and Aluminium Polish and buffed to shiny with a plush microfibre. 

Bilberry is good for shifting loose soot but for baked on soot you need to work a good metal polish into it or if really baked on, a little metal polish on some fine grade 0000 steel wool worked around the perimeter of the pipes (not on the outer parts as will scratch) shifts it. Be very careful with the steel wool, as it can dull down the chrome.  Then polish to a high shine with metal polish.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Liberon-Metre-Length-Ultra-Grade/dp/B01B7XBQIS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492452842&sr=8-1&keywords=0000+steel+wool

Once you've got the baked on soot, keep on top of them, regular cleaning is the key to it.
Title: Re: Advice needed on cleaning Golf R tailpipes
Post by: adekil on 17 April 2017, 19:37
As above, Mothers Mag and aluminium polish is excellent.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mothers-Mag-Aluminium-Polish-5oz/dp/B00068GEJM

I pre-wash with a few squirts of Bilberry Wheel Cleaner, then they get washed along with rest of car - snow foam, 2 bucket wash but I use a dedicated wheel woollie on the pipes which helps to shift the carbon (shoved in the pipe and rotated around). Finally, they are polished up with Mothers Mag and Aluminium Polish and buffed to shiny with a plush microfibre. 

Bilberry is good for shifting loose soot but for baked on soot you need to work a good metal polish into it or if really baked on, a little metal polish on some fine grade 0000 steel wool worked around the perimeter of the pipes (not on the outer parts as will scratch) shifts it. Be very careful with the steel wool, as it can dull down the chrome.  Then polish to a high shine with metal polish.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Liberon-Metre-Length-Ultra-Grade/dp/B01B7XBQIS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492452842&sr=8-1&keywords=0000+steel+wool

Once you've got the baked on soot, keep on top of them, regular cleaning is the key to it.

Thank you Booth11 - which wheel mitt do you use or recommend just for the pipes? I'm going for the direct Mothers Mag after a quick wash to see what comes off before I start buying up Amazon  :wink:
Title: Re: Advice needed on cleaning Golf R tailpipes
Post by: Booth11 on 17 April 2017, 20:26
As above, Mothers Mag and aluminium polish is excellent.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mothers-Mag-Aluminium-Polish-5oz/dp/B00068GEJM

I pre-wash with a few squirts of Bilberry Wheel Cleaner, then they get washed along with rest of car - snow foam, 2 bucket wash but I use a dedicated wheel woollie on the pipes which helps to shift the carbon (shoved in the pipe and rotated around). Finally, they are polished up with Mothers Mag and Aluminium Polish and buffed to shiny with a plush microfibre. 

Bilberry is good for shifting loose soot but for baked on soot you need to work a good metal polish into it or if really baked on, a little metal polish on some fine grade 0000 steel wool worked around the perimeter of the pipes (not on the outer parts as will scratch) shifts it. Be very careful with the steel wool, as it can dull down the chrome.  Then polish to a high shine with metal polish.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Liberon-Metre-Length-Ultra-Grade/dp/B01B7XBQIS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492452842&sr=8-1&keywords=0000+steel+wool

Once you've got the baked on soot, keep on top of them, regular cleaning is the key to it.

Thank you Booth11 - which wheel mitt do you use or recommend just for the pipes? I'm going for the direct Mothers Mag after a quick wash to see what comes off before I start buying up Amazon  :wink:

On wheels I use wheel woolies and a wheel mitt, and both are good for tailpipes.  I use these wheel mitts. And you can get 20% forum discount using code GTIFORUM20 https://wo-wo.co.uk/collections/wo-wo-car-detailing-products/products/microfibre-wheel-wash-mitt

And I also use the big sized wheel woolie (of the 3-piece set) on my tailpipes. http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheels-and-tyres/wheel-woolies-wheel-brush-kit/prod_1037.html
Title: Re: Advice needed on cleaning Golf R tailpipes
Post by: david25 on 01 May 2017, 09:50
I prefer something milder on chrome plating

(https://britmarine.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/94.png)
Title: Re: Advice needed on cleaning Golf R tailpipes
Post by: LRWmotorsport on 02 May 2017, 08:09
I used good old fashioned Autosol.
Title: Re: Advice needed on cleaning Golf R tailpipes
Post by: juggler on 02 May 2017, 19:14
Scrunch up kitchen foil into a ball and use it instead of wire wool. Works a treat.
Title: Re: Advice needed on cleaning Golf R tailpipes
Post by: 7MAT on 12 July 2017, 08:52
Britemax Metal Twins for the win!

Use #1 (Easy Cut) to polish and clean, #2 (Final Shine) to fine polish and protect.
https://www.britemax-direct.co.uk/metal-polish-c102x2778536

Liquid based product which contains actual cut instead of the usual cream based sovent cleaners
Title: Re: Advice needed on cleaning Golf R tailpipes
Post by: LRWmotorsport on 18 July 2017, 21:37
Autosol for the win.
Title: Re: Advice needed on cleaning Golf R tailpipes
Post by: 7MAT on 21 July 2017, 09:52
Nice little video from Wo-Wo showing the Britemax Metal Twins in action!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0oHC1WbMGA&t=39s
Title: Re: Advice needed on cleaning Golf R tailpipes
Post by: LRWmotorsport on 21 July 2017, 11:50
Didn't notice I'd chipped in with my suggestion twice.
Apologies, I'm not on commission.
Title: Re: Advice needed on cleaning Golf R tailpipes
Post by: Booth11 on 21 July 2017, 12:59
Didn't notice I'd chipped in with my suggestion twice.
Apologies, I'm not on commission.

I think you should go third time lucky.  :laugh:
Title: Re: Advice needed on cleaning Golf R tailpipes
Post by: mwad gti on 21 July 2017, 21:30
 :grin:
Didn't notice I'd chipped in with my suggestion twice.
Apologies, I'm not on commission.
Title: Re: Advice needed on cleaning Golf R tailpipes
Post by: Kernowkevin on 17 November 2017, 20:34
I've found those Magic Eraser foam pads do an excellent job on my steel pipes