Mark Otnes

I was detailing my '73 recently and was working on the exhaust tips. The insides to be exact. I was amazed how much crud came out and how CLEAN the (stainless steel?) tips were when I was done. But I wasn't really done. I couldn't reach some tiny areas on the right side. I tried my pinky finger and even the tip of a toothbrush handle wrapped in a cloth, but it was still too big to get in there and clean it out satisfactorily. Does anyone out there have any recommendations on how to clean such tight areas? Any tiny brushes or tools, maybe? And what about power tools? Is that applicable to this sort of cleaning or not? I'm definitely an amateur to car detailing and would appreciate any advice. Thanks!

MelWff

would a long Q-tip soaked in carburetor cleaner get into that corner?

https://www.walmart.com/ip/ART-CRAFT...&wl13=&veh=sem

oldgto

I`ve had good results cleaning an area like that with a rag tightly wrapped around a long, thin, flat blade screwdriver, dipping the rag in your cleaning fluid.

theandies

I actually painted the back portion of my tips black and I think it looks better. The other parts I just scrub with my wheel and wheel well wash pad and my regular washing soap. Works well

Mark Otnes

Sounds possible. I've never tried carb cleaner. Is it harsh or...?

Mark Otnes

That method sounds like it has promise. A long and thin screwdriver maybe. But the tip has to not poke through or it'll scratch. Thanks for the advice!

Mark Otnes

I thought of that, but I like seeing into them and seeing them clean and stainless. I think I'll keep them that way (for now at least).

Priya

You've got 1000% more dedication to cleaning your car than I'll ever have. Although now that I type that I recall that I've cleaned the engine and engine compartment in my Eagle with various rags, brushes, and a toothbrush every spring since I've finished the restoration.

resdoggie

Try an SOS pad on your chrome stuff.

00Nassau

Wrap a baby diaper around the end of a screwdriver and put some metal polish on the end to clean and shine it.

Richard454

I've had really good luck with "Easy Off" oven cleaner...

And it was free-I found an almost full can under the sink in the kitchen!!



Richard

ronarndt

Makes me glad my 68 convert has the round exhaust tips. Much easier to clean!

ezobens

I can appreciate the effort in cleaning the inside of the tips but I'm curious as to why?
The second you fire it up again, they will get dirty-
Seems it would be a never ending exercise?
As long as the outside of my tips are clean, I'm good.
Just sayin' ;-)

OldCarBum

Diaper or thin rag wrapped around a long Q Tip and some Mothers polish, is what I used on my show Harley's.
In those hard to get areas in the exhaust tip, you can spray in some Simple Green, let is soak in for a few minutes, start the engine and while the exhaust is still cold, spray the inside of the tip with a pressure washer.
It only take a second to get into those tight spots.

naramlee

whoah… I would call that clean... certainly better than mine!

jr73

Danish Shark

You know you're a car nut when you're detailing the inside of the exhaust.

naramlee

I certainly don't... it would take far to long to remove the soot off my side pipes, next slow car my lead foot would soot them up again

Mark Otnes

I concur, but they don't get that dirty, surprisingly. I just have a 350 small block and it isn't putting out much crud. Anyway, I guess I'm just a clean freak. If I see dirt, I like to clean it off. HA

Mark Otnes

I guess I got into the habit of cleaning the inside of the tips back when I owned a '70 AAR 'Cuda. If you know those cars, they have these big side tips that DEMAND to be kept clean because they're so visible, inside and out. Now that I have a Stingray, I just have to clean its tips, too. HA