F30POST
F30POST
2012-2015 BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum (F30 / F32) | F30POST > Technical Forums > Cosmetic Maintenance: Wash, Wax, Detailing, Repairs > Rust and calcium buildup on exhaust pipe
GetBMWParts
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      12-28-2020, 03:32 AM   #1
Monkeyboxers
Second Lieutenant
Australia
81
Rep
236
Posts

Drives: '21 X3 30i G01 M-Sport
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Melbourne

iTrader: (0)

Rust and calcium buildup on exhaust pipe

I've noticed my exhaust pipe has started to develop some unpleasant looking residue; rust and calcium stain?



Any tips on removing this? I don't live anywhere close to salt water so not sure how it's rusted.
Appreciate 0
      12-28-2020, 08:00 AM   #2
Billfitz
Lieutenant General
Billfitz's Avatar
United_States
8170
Rep
15,962
Posts

Drives: '15 328iX GT
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: New Hampshire

iTrader: (0)

A main component of exhaust is water. That, along with the other components, is what causes corrosion. Regular cleaning is all you can do.
Appreciate 0
      12-28-2020, 03:06 PM   #3
Ennoch
Colonel
2215
Rep
2,025
Posts

Drives: F31 335D XDrive
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Scotland

iTrader: (0)

The CO2 and other chemicals given off by your engine's combustion process also include moisture which condenses in the cold exhaust and produces an acidic liquid. Oxidisation of metals is exacerbated by acidic conditions, and moisture...and bingo! Even stainless steels can rust in a lot of situations, particularly the cheap versions used in most 'stainless' exhaust systems.

Even coating it in a ceramic coating isn't going to help much. I've got a foam cone that I use with metal polish (currently Meguiars) and I just give each tailpipe a quick blast on the cordless drill when cleaning the car every other time. If there are stubborn marks you can get it back to good with wire wool. Even a quick blast of GT85 or WD40 occasionally on mist will probably help keep it at bay.
Appreciate 0
      12-29-2020, 08:12 AM   #4
Desertnate
Captain
United_States
391
Rep
849
Posts

Drives: BMW 435i
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Swansea, IL

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2016 BMW 435i  [0.00]
If those exhaust tips are anything like what I have on my MPE, I've found Eagle One Nevr-Dull works surprisingly well. I only have to break on the metal polish for the really stubborn areas.
__________________
Stop by and check out my blog: The Car Geek
Appreciate 0
      12-29-2020, 04:15 PM   #5
Monkeyboxers
Second Lieutenant
Australia
81
Rep
236
Posts

Drives: '21 X3 30i G01 M-Sport
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Melbourne

iTrader: (0)

Thanks for the feedbacks all. I'll give it a good scrub with a tooth brush for the calcium stain and see if that works and WD40 for the rust.
Appreciate 0
      12-31-2020, 09:28 PM   #6
AspektUSA
Lieutenant
268
Rep
491
Posts

Drives: 340i MSport/THP
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Denver

iTrader: (0)

I think the only remedy is to cut off the OEM exhaust, and slap on a stainless steel set of pipes from AWE, Remus, Akrapovic, or the M catalogue.
Appreciate 0
      12-31-2020, 10:14 PM   #7
Billfitz
Lieutenant General
Billfitz's Avatar
United_States
8170
Rep
15,962
Posts

Drives: '15 328iX GT
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: New Hampshire

iTrader: (0)

The stock exhaust is stainless steel. Most modern exhausts are. Back when exhaust pipes and mufflers were zinc coated steel they only lasted 1/3 as long as they do now. The stock tips are chrome. Even if they didn't suffer from corrosion they'd still need regular cleaning to rid them of carbon deposits.
Appreciate 0
      02-02-2021, 10:59 AM   #8
EDSX9
Registered
EDSX9's Avatar
United_States
0
Rep
1
Posts

Drives: 2018 BMW 440i
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Dallas, Texas

iTrader: (0)

You want to keep it clean? Use Eagle One Metal Polish. Make sure you use latex gloves unless of course you want to have residue on your hands. I have used it on my vehicles and not only does it remove rust but prevents for it to get dull as well as build more rust.
Appreciate 0
      03-03-2021, 12:14 PM   #9
AspektUSA
Lieutenant
268
Rep
491
Posts

Drives: 340i MSport/THP
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Denver

iTrader: (0)

Bon Ami 1886 will also polish stainless steel perfectly.

I use it on the inside lip of the chrome finishing tips when the exhaust buildup is considerable.

Otherwise I use Menzerna metal polish on the chrome itself.
Appreciate 0
      03-20-2021, 02:49 PM   #10
Salty B.
Second Lieutenant
89
Rep
280
Posts

Drives: 2014 335i 6MT MSport
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: N. Fulton, GA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Barkeeper's Friend takes that shit right off, no scratches. The tips on my MPE were filthy and sooty and the BF on a no-scratch scrubby sponge and hot water works greats.
__________________
2014 F30 N55 6MT, gray/red, M-sport, VMR 710/Mich PS 4S, MPPK, MPE
2001 E53 M54 5MT peeling green/black, well-optioned
Appreciate 0
      03-31-2021, 07:09 PM   #11
arucano
Captain
arucano's Avatar
United_States
249
Rep
626
Posts

Drives: 2014 M6 Grand Coupe CP
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Kingwood TX

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2014 BMW M6 GC  [10.00]
You can also try vinegar (or lime juice / any mild citric acid) to remove calcium buildup.
__________________
F06 M6 Grand Coupe CP
Sapphire Black Metallic
The drive is the destination
Appreciate 0
      04-03-2021, 01:22 PM   #12
ChasKSC
Registered
0
Rep
1
Posts

Drives: Subaru Legacy
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: New England

iTrader: (0)

Hi everyone! New to the forum here. Also had trouble cleaning my own exhaust, as just an APC and Wheel woolie didn't do the trick. I've heard 0000 wool pads might work...
Appreciate 0
      05-26-2021, 09:17 PM   #13
quakerroatmeal
Second Lieutenant
119
Rep
280
Posts

Drives: 2018 430i Grand Coupe
Join Date: May 2021
Location: DFW

iTrader: (1)

You can use detailing steel wool like ChasKSC say it works like a charm.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:02 AM.




f30post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST