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Tired of looking at them sooty exhaust tips? Here's a one hour spiff-up I just did on my new-to-me CPO 2017 Macan S.
Supplies:
Ratchet with T30 bit or a T30 driver.
Rubber mallet or dead blow hammer.
Degreaser and/or brake clean.
Scotchbrite pad or steel wool.
HD metal polish (optional).
Rubber gloves and eye protection.
Procedure:
1. The tips are slip-fit onto exhaust pipes, held in place by T30 stainless steel fasteners. Inner and outer tips on both sides are not interchangeable, so take note.
2. Remove T30 fasteners and work each tip off of each pipe. Couple of taps with a rubber mallet convinces the tip to come loose.
3. Once all four tips are off attack each one with degreaser/solvent and Scotchbrite pad to remove soot and stains. Apply metal polish if desired.
4. When you're satisfied, slip the tips back on the pipes and cinch 'em down with the fasteners. Stand back and admire your work!
L&R tips removed. Note inner and outer tips are different lengths so take note.
Cleaned-up (sorta) tips. I initially thought the throats were painted black but they're not as you can see by how the left inner tip cleaned up. I'll repeat cleaning later.
Last edited by swingwing; 06-11-2020 at 08:52 PM.
Reason: Added word.
I'm a tip polisher as well.
Wearing rubber gloves, I slather some mothers metal polish on.
Then toss a rag over the tip and back on forth like i'm polishing a shoe.
Easy pezzee. And toss the rag, as it's black and not worth laundering.
My original thought was to replace them. They were so dirty and black, it "almost" looked like factory black. However, after pulling them off, I find them to be really substantial and well made exhaust tips. No way was I gonna just replace them. I read this thread, got my T30, rubber gloves, used ZAP degreaser, then dawn + water rinse, done. I had to spend about 15min per tip, but well worth it. The tips were very easy to pull off, even after 43k miles. TY for the instructions! (a fleeting thought about before/after pictures happened AFTER I was finished... /sigh).
Nice job on the silver/aluminum tips, looks great!
Has anyone tackled cleaning the sooty buildup on the factory black exhaust tips (.ie GTS)? The concern there is anything too aggressive would likely damage or negatively impact the factory black chrome finish. Anyone successfully clean these without damage, preserving the factory finish?
Nice job on the silver/aluminum tips, looks great!
Has anyone tackled cleaning the sooty buildup on the factory black exhaust tips (.ie GTS)? The concern there is anything too aggressive would likely damage or negatively impact the factory black chrome finish. Anyone successfully clean these without damage, preserving the factory finish?
I have a 17 GTS and I am thinking of spraying mine with brake cleaner as a first step to see if that loosens the crud.
If they finish gets ruined, I might replace with chrome. That is the one place I think chrome/polished alum may look good on an all black GTS.
On a side note... does anyone know if the PSE uses the same size tips as compared to the regular mufflers?
Has anyone tackled cleaning the sooty buildup on the factory black exhaust tips (.ie GTS)? The concern there is anything too aggressive would likely damage or negatively impact the factory black chrome finish. Anyone successfully clean these without damage, preserving the factory finish?
Originally Posted by Phil G.
Can anyone recommend a cleaner for the black tips on a new GTS? Non abrasive metal polish such as Blue Magic or Simichrome? Any other suggestions?
If new, I'd def keep it clean with Barkeepers, as @Terry Adams suggested. If trashed, I think you'll be fine with any industrial degreaser + non-scouring pad. Clean the degreaser off with Dawn. Rinse well. Make it easy - take the tips off. T30, 1 screw per tip.
Again, after taking off my tips, I found them to be VERY substantial, heavy and well made. Mine do not have a chrome finish - these are polished aluminum. I'm not sure how the black tips are made, but my guess (because Porsche) they are also very well made as well. My tip (<-- ) is to remove them individually and start the cleaning process. No way was I gonna replace these.
06-11-2020, 08:45 PM
Exhaust tip cleanup DIY
) is to remove them individually and start the cleaning process. No way was I gonna replace these.