• The site migration is complete! Hopefully everything transferred properly from the multiple decades old software we were using before. If you notice any issues please let me know, thanks! Also, I'm still working on things like chatbox, etc so hopefully those will be working in the next week or two.

How to polish and restore aluminum exhaust. (Magnaflow)

Jbruce308

New member
Ill make this a quick guide and for the most part its all pretty easy to do with some spare time on your hands.

Total cost supply cost: $30.00


Materials:
- Any Aluminum, steel or metal parts
- Mothers Mag and Aluminum polish
- Microfiber rags
- Buffer (if you have one, or just use a makeshift one haha like myn)
- 120, 220, 400, 800 grit wet/dry sand paper
- Soapy water/ Rag

Alright so first just make sure you have your supply's as seen below. Its all pretty cheap for the most part.
20120425110007866.jpg



Next, take whatever muffler,piping, or metal piece you are polishing and wipe down with soapy water and a rag then dry off. In this case im using a friends magnaflows that i bought which look like crap.
Few Pictures:
20120425105310646.jpg


20120425105417400.jpg


20120425105357281.jpg


20120425110023460.jpg



Now start with a low grit paper to rough it all up. I used 120 then moved up to 220 to 400 then finally to 800. You may go higher for a cleaner finish but im lazy and this part wont really be seen so im fine with 800.

20120425121525270.jpg



Yay, now that your finished with the boring sanding you may take your Mothers polish or whatever else your using for metal and get to rubbing it in. No need to destroy your arms if you dont have a buffer so just rub it in lightly. Black residue will come off, but this is a good sign its working even on the shinier parts. Simply just rub in then wipe off as if you were buffing anything else.
Make sure you have a microfiber cloth...it helps more then you think to pick up the excess gunk without smearing.

20120425124653851.jpg



Getting there..... about 3 coats in.
20120426102211816.jpg



After like 4 coats i was tired of using my arm and i dont have a buffer so hears my alternative which actually worked well haha. (Not required)
Cheap Buffer= DA sander+ Microfiber cloth

2012042610352439.jpg




Once your happy with how it looks stop and give it one clean wipe down and your set. Here's how myn turned out and this is my first time polishing metal but not to bad. At least it will look decent when i install it soon.

20120426143752778.jpg


2012042614383439.jpg


Yellow tint from my yellow painted walls in garage below.
Not Perfect but im happy with the glossy loock now.
To rid sanding lines go higher grit and spend more time

20120425135002836.jpg


BEFORE POLISH AND AFTER POLISH


20120425135102258.jpg
 
Last edited:


Good stuff. Yeah, if you go all the way up to 2000, maybe a bit overkill, but that's about as smooth as they get. Sander always speeds things up a bit too. I have a buffer but not a sander. :P
 
They'll look good until a couple of weeks after you put them on. Polishing exhaust is the most futile thing in the world.
 
Good stuff. Yeah, if you go all the way up to 2000, maybe a bit overkill, but that's about as smooth as they get. Sander always speeds things up a bit too. I have a buffer but not a sander. :P

Thanks Man. Yeha it took me long enough as is so i wasnt trying to spend like over 6 hours of this project haha.
 


K yeah i dunno they both look similar when polished and i really cant tell. I just figured they were aluminum since the guy who i got em from always goes the more inexpensive route. But yeah your right.
 
K yeah i dunno they both look similar when polished and i really cant tell. I just figured they were aluminum since the guy who i got em from always goes the more inexpensive route. But yeah your right.

It's ok, you're better off. Magnaflow mufflers are damn near indestructible.
 
think i can get that shine outta 04 plus pig snouts? got some for free i wanna throw on my 02

Yeah im sure you could. If your only looking to do the tips just sand them down and youll be good to go. May take a few coats of polish but im sure they'll definitely shine up. But seriously dont be to lazy on the sanding. If you have time work your way up to at least 1500
 


You can also use Eagle One Wadding Polish. I've got most of mine cleaned up. I gotta sand some spots still or use a scuff pad. I've also read that you can use steel wool.
 
They'll look good until a couple of weeks after you put them on. Polishing exhaust is the most futile thing in the world.

Haha I can't argue, experience would slap the taste outta my mouth. But I know the feeling of a job well done, even if it's something most people won't notice. I followed a similar process(sandpaper, super-fine steelwool, polish) to do my fuel rails a few weeks ago, and it makes me smile every time I pop the hood.

@Jbruce: I might have to do the same to my Magna's after a little while. Very nice write-up and good work! :th_thumb-up:
 
Haha I can't argue, experience would slap the taste outta my mouth. But I know the feeling of a job well done, even if it's something most people won't notice. I followed a similar process(sandpaper, super-fine steelwool, polish) to do my fuel rails a few weeks ago, and it makes me smile every time I pop the hood.

@Jbruce: I might have to do the same to my Magna's after a little while. Very nice write-up and good work! :th_thumb-up:

Thanks man and yeah im liken mine so far. The glasspack has helped much more then i thought it would on the raspy sound people get. And the only reason i polished them was because i was getting my exhaust done and they were off. If yuh can at least get the tips ur in good shape
 
I had no idea that polish had that big of an impact on the appearance but jeeze I believe I found where my next lil bit of spare money is going
 
Back
Top