How do you go about cleaning and polishing them? Mine are looking rather nasty after 2 and half years of disrepair. I know, I know, it's horrible, but I want to make them look semi-nice again- like when I first got the car.

So how would you guys and gals recommend I go about it?

 

Wow, 2.5 years.

I started with a good chrome polish and then wipe them down every time I wash the car. Some say using aluminum foil works good but I've never needed to try that technique.

 

It really comes down to what look you are after. If they are really bad, I would use Brasso on the polished part, then some good chrome or metal polish for a good sealer.

The inside, I used steel wool and bug/tar remover until clean. Then high temp black. I hate seeing a black hole in a shiney square. The black has been on now for over two years and looks as good. They are the last thing that gets detail sprayed when cleaning the car. Some here use a dremel tool to polish the inside. Good luck.

 

Not sure if it is right but I use the alloy wheel spray to get the soot out and then just polish them as best I can with a wragg to make them shine. Is this ok? or will it damage them more. Im the same hate seeing them black once the car is washed and poilished?

 

Never dull works well also.

 

We had a 05 limited Roadster that we just replaced. I always thought the tail pipe tips were a "brushed Aluminum" look. So 3M pad and some simple green seem to work well. I tried the different grades of 3M pad, and settled for fine. It seem to better match the rest of the "Brushed Aluminum" trim on the rest of the car. If you want to further the polished look, step through the different grits af compounds. Visit Eastwood.com, you can read, learn and purchase. If you need help, let me know, I may have the answer. I just took a set of stock 89 Mustang GT rough aluminum valve covers, and sanded them, polished them to a mirror finish. little work, and I got my aluminum polish valve covers. I also obtain a full set of Old School aluminum slotted rims. (2) 15 x 8 and (2) 15 x 10. They were corroded bad. With very careful polishing, was able to restore the rims and still see the orginal machine work. They look cool on my 66 mustang, with it lowered 1inch.