I tried cleaning my IS 350 exhaust tips with 0000 steel wool and chemical guys citrus degreaser (I know now I should've used a polish *after* cleaning with a degreaser) and I think I may have marred the finish. After polishing with the metal polish, they came out rather dull. I was expecting a very shiny 'chrome' like finish but that's not what I see. They're cleaner and shinier than before but I suspect I might have added fine scratches by using the steel wool without proper lubrication.

Does anyone know a way to fix this? Could these be buffed out?

 

Sorry to hear that. Have you tried polishing with the same metal polish but using a terry cloth and/or microfiber towel? Maybe that will bring out the shine some more, but you may end up having a professional take a look at it.

 

Yes, I used EagleOne wadding polish with a microfiber, and then tried Mother's chrome polish afterwards but they didn't 'pop' like I was hoping. I'll post some pictures tomorrow and hopefully folks here can give me an opinion on if they're supposed to look like that after polishing or if I need professional help.

 

Here are a couple of photos I took this morning. (I know the rain water spots need to be cleaned ). The scratches/marring I'm talking about may be more clear in the second photo.

So I'm not sure at this point if they're supposed to look this way. If not, is there a product that can help me get the really shiny 'chrome' look or do I need to get professional help?

Thanks in advance.

 

You can go to Walmart or Autozone in the automotive section and purchase some 2000 and 3000 grit sandpaper and see if you can take the scratches out using this. Use the 2000 grit first, then finish with the 3000 grit. I suggest wet sanding with water or you may use Mothers chrome polish as a lubricant.

 

I've had good results wetsanding the exhaust tips. I went from 1000 to 1500 to 2000 to 2500, then used mothers's metal polish. 0000 steel wool is actually quite gritty. Equivalent to 400 grit sandpaper.

So use the steel wool first then wet sand up to 2000 or 2500. Then use your metal polish.