Hey guys...just got my exhaust in today. I bought it used, and so it has the minor flecks you'll get over time from rocks being knocked up into it...as well other minor scratches and indentations. Now if this was not so nicely polished then I would just take my power sander and 600 grit sandpaper and go to it...but I'm really worried that if I repolish it I won't get the really fine shine that these exhausts have...so anyone done this before? Suggestions?

Austin519

 

all ya have to do is ask...there is a chrome polish avail at autozone that works very well. i had some tar on it and this stuff took it off and didnt harm the shine at all, no abrasives..i was very impressed...

 

Systek:
Here's the thing though bud...there is more than surface dirt...there are nicks and scratches that are actually IN the metal...hence the stainless steel cleaner I had didn't get them out. So I really don't have any choice but to sand it down and repolish it...so I'm still not sure what to do...

Austin519

 

ok, but wouldnt nicks have to be filled in(impossible) while scratches could possibly get buffed out....

 

Well...I mean what you can do is just sand it out...ya know take 600 grit sandpaper and sand down the nick until it's gone, then you repolish it...good as new. I just don't know how to get the shine it had before...

Austin519

 

Are people going to really see the little flecks and chips? Do what I do: Buy all metal polish, get under the car, and start rubbing, it will look juuuuuuuuust fine... I clean my exhaust(barrel and tip)with soap every time I wash the car, but polish it once a month or so.
Ed

 

yeh, that is what i was talking about...i dont think that once its nice and shiny that anyone would notice the chips/nicks

 

hey do you leave your exhaust on during winter time? Does the salt ruin it?

 

"Are people going to really see the little flecks and chips? Do what I do: Buy all metal polish, get under the car, and start rubbing, it will look juuuuuuuuust fine... I clean my exhaust(barrel and tip)with soap every time I wash the car, but polish it once a month or so.
Ed"
Actually I seriously doubt anyone will see it...it's on the muffler, on the side facing the street (obviously). The tips are fine...but I mean they ARE very noticeable if you actually look at the muffler itself...nicks every inch or so...like someone shot it with a shotgun packed with extremely small pellets...yeah I know, it's just me being a perfectionist. But I have shined them really well and the nicks and chips are very noticeable...looking at it not installed...

Austin519

 

ok, but wouldnt nicks have to be filled in(impossible) while scratches could possibly get buffed out....

 

Since were on the subject, what do you guys think about the Comptech exhaust??? any real performance gains over stock? hows the noise level? I know it looks really good but is it really worth the $$$

 

I think I may be able to send it to comptech to get reconditioned actually...

BFOR3:
Well it sure looks good...4-5HP performance gains...not exactly a performance mod ya know? I think it's WAY too expensive to be honest...hence my buying a used one. I'll post what I think about it when I install it (bought the jacks and the roll cart today)

Austin519

 

I left them on this past winter...no problems...they still look as shiny as the day I installed them..I do keep my car as clean as I can in the winter too, you know..
Ed

 

Just emailed Comptech...hope they can repolish them without charging an arm and a leg. Otherwise...anyone know a shop that does that kind of thing? Metal repolishing/finishing?

Austin519

 

Hey Austin519, where were you able to pick up a used Exhaust and how much did you pay just to get an idea? If you don't mind me asking

 

BFOR3:
I don't mind you asking no...I got it for about $350...however to make it look good I may have to send it to Comptech which will probably cost $100....but will give me a practically brand new exhaust...so I saved a couple hundred in the end...

Austin519

 

Those imperfectios may stand out alot since the exhaust is not mounted yet. I have a feeling that once on and in the shadows under the car you probably wont notice them unless you are laying on your belly under your car staring at it. If I were you Id mount it and see how you feel about it then before going through all the $$$ and effort in trying to have it refinished.

 

Mr Hyde:
Well then tell me...how hard is it to install that exhaust? If it's too hard for me to do by myself and I take it to a shop...I don't want to pay for it be be installed, uninstalled, and reinstalled...ya know? I do have 2 3 ton SUV jacks that get to 20" high...so I can easily jack the car up...

Austin519

 

Took me 45 min. to do the install and that was mostly b/c the bolts are pretty darn tight. I didn't even jack up my car. My driveway has a slight slope, so I parked in the garage with the tail hanging out and I had plenty of room to get under the car and put on the exhausts. All of the hardware was included, so once I loosened the bolts, actually installing it took about 20 min. total. Very, very easy. I wash them with soap everytime I wash the car, then I polish them with a Stainless Steel polisher.... keeps them nice and clean. BTW, I've never heard of someone getting 5hp with these.... usually 1-2hp, if that (assuming no other mods)......

 

juniorbean:
"Took me 45 min. to do the install and that was mostly b/c the bolts are pretty darn tight. I didn't even jack up my car. My driveway has a slight slope, so I parked in the garage with the tail hanging out and I had plenty of room to get under the car and put on the exhausts. All of the hardware was included, so once I loosened the bolts, actually installing it took about 20 min. total. Very, very easy. I wash them with soap everytime I wash the car, then I polish them with a Stainless Steel polisher.... keeps them nice and clean. BTW, I've never heard of someone getting 5hp with these.... usually 1-2hp, if that (assuming no other mods)......"

Okay gotcha...but yeah...I know there are almost none...I was just quoting Comptech...I'm aware this isn't a performance mod

Austin519

 

Should be straightforward unbolt the old one and rebolt the new one. I dont have the Comptech exhaust on my ride, but its not a catback or anything, so if you've got the right ratchet and some Wd-40 it shouldnt be hard at all.

 

hey, Austin....not to sound like a jerk, but why do you never use the "Quote" function?

 

fahoumh:
"Hey, Austin....not to sound like a jerk, but why do you never use the "Quote" function?"
Not at all...I dunno...this just feels cleaner to me I guess

Oh and Mr Hyde and others...Comptech says they'll recondition them for $80...which sounds good to me actually. Any thoughts? Anyone think it's a stupid idea?

Austin519