what is the best way to clean/polish your exhaust?
 

Just bought this used ultimate racing catback for my brz. Im planning on cleaning the mufflers and tips before I install it but once I start I'll probably just end up doing the whole thing. Just wondering what is the easiest way to clean/polish a stainless steel exhaust? would steel wool and some polish work?

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The combination of Nevr-dull and then Mothers Mag & Aluminum Polish with a cloth has always worked well for me.

I haven't tried steel wool myself.

For dirty exhausts I used steel wool and cleaning vinegar as a rough pass, then mothers metal polish with a microfiber to finish. Sleel wool and polish works too, though on the tips a microfiber gave me a better finish.
+1 If you can get a mother's powerball and use a drill for final polish.

Cleaned up a unloved TRD exhaust over the summer using this method. Did it quick and dirty.
https://i.imgur.com/aY3xQJ4.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/ciTqzZ2.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/NXT4KVD.jpg

I have trouble understanding spending all this money on a sound difference. I am completely baffled by shining up an exhaust no one will ever see. ;)

Catback exhaust also help with performance, I got mine for only 500$. I do realize people will only see the tips and the muffler, but I don't think I'll let myself install it before the whole thing is shiny. Just a personal preference but you are right, polishing the whole exhaust is completely useless.

I have heard of mothers aluminum polish but never heard of Near-dull, I'll give it a shot, thank you.

Really, they make power? I doubt there is 10 hp in any of these exhaust setups.

Flitz Metal Polish. Follow the directions for the material being polished. https://www.flitz.com/

I just polish the tip, but only for a minute.

Lots of elbow grease. Have yet to find anything better.

Spit on it and give it a good rub. Should only take 30 seconds to a minute.

Going onto a motor where the rest is stock, catbacks won't make enough gains to write home about because they're not the bottle-neck. The more you have done to the car though, the more a catback will open up.

depending on the catback you could be dropping a somewhat significant amount of weight from the car (not enough to really matter on a daily, but if you're competing on track it'll get you that extra little bit)

Plus, some of us definitely think it's worth it just for the noise!

Difficult to be accurate getting a little spit back there in the exhaust. Rubbing inside there is kind of awkward to get any satisfaction in cleaning.