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Polishing side pipes - what should I use?
I am going to try and polish my side pipes to ‘like new’ status. Has anyone else out there attempted same? I don’t mind standing on your shoulders if you could pass along any tips or miracle creams you might have discovered. I already have a small tub of Mother’s aluminum and mag polish. Wasn’t sure if there was something better out there. Or are there prep steps I need to do before I starting going after the pipes?
As always, many thanks to this wonderful community.
Scott
Mk III, 331, Edelbrock dual quad, paint and body work by Whitby
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Which pipes do you have? Stainless or maybe ceramic coated?
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Compound 302 for stainless
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Super Moderator
it's amazing what that 302 compound will do for a set of the stainless steel side pipes!!
cleaning side pipes.jpg
Top one if after a trip to Ohio from NY
The other is after cleaning with the 302 compound
I had just sold the old pipes and wanted to clean them befor shipping them.
I now have the gas-n performance side pipes
Ralph Button
FFR 1436 (PROUD Owner of an Original Mark I)
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Mk III, 331, Edelbrock dual quad, paint and body work by Whitby
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Originally Posted by
egchewy79
Compound 302 for stainless
Do you have a link for the 302 compound? I tried to find it on Amazon but got many results but nothing like your picture.
Mk III, 331, Edelbrock dual quad, paint and body work by Whitby
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This is the stuff https://weldingsupply.com/cgi-bin/ei...NDEF:X:ARCP302 I don't see it on the Amazonian site anymore. Be sure to use some polish after to make them look shiny.
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This was a pleasant surprise. I noticed the Harley folks raving about it, and thought I would give it a try. My stainless pipes weren't too terrible, but I was surprised at the low effort and the results. They looked fantastic. Going to be an occasional maintenance thing for me from here on.
https://www.amazon.com/Surf-City-Gar...ct_top?ie=UTF8
Robert
"You don't just shift a Cobra, you chamber another round."
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I use Barkeepers friend followed up with Mothers metal polish and it does a nice job. Even removed the yellowish look the pipes were getting at the bend where they exit the body.
https://www.amazon.com/Bar-Keepers-F...8569844&sr=8-8
https://www.amazon.com/Mothers-05101...8569898&sr=8-2
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Compound 302
Originally Posted by
R. Button
it's amazing what that 302 compound will do for a set of the stainless steel side pipes!!
cleaning side pipes.jpg
Top one if after a trip to Ohio from NY
The other is after cleaning with the 302 compound
I had just sold the old pipes and wanted to clean them befor shipping them.
I now have the gas-n performance side pipes
Just rub it on and wipe off or is there some sort of cleaner involved?
MK4 #9121 - Complete kit - Stroked 351, T5x, 3.55 Rear End, 3-Link - Pickup 6/17/17, 1st start 12/2/17, Go-Kart 12/9/17, Road Worthy 4/27/18
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Originally Posted by
jwebb
Just rub it on and wipe off or is there some sort of cleaner involved?
You can use a soft damp sponge or damp blue cloth shop towel, dip it in the "paste" and apply. Let is sit a minute or less and wipe off with damp cloths. As I mentioned, polish after for a nice shine as the compound makes them look dull. You can use Blue Magic compound after or any good polish. Oh, there's no elbow grease needed with the 302, but you'll use some with the polish. 
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Caution! Compound 302 is great, but very caustic! Use gloves and clean with lots of water.
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WIS89 thanked for this post
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Originally Posted by
Papa
Caution! Compound 302 is great, but very caustic! Use gloves and clean with lots of water.
I used to be a volunteer emergency response team member at my former employer and was certified as a medic first responder, so I'm always curious as to what's actually in stuff and how nasty it really is. Here's the MSDS on Compound 302:
https://www.wmillc.com/uploads/2/7/5...ss_cleaner.pdf
It's basically hydrochloric acid paste with a pH of -0.5 
You definitely do not want to get this stuff on skin, clothing, etc. or inhale the fumes.
MkIV Roadster build: Gen 2 Coyote, IRS, TKO600. Ordered 10/24/18. Delivered 1/29/19. Engine installed 8/8/21. First start 9/12/21. First go-kart 9/17/21. Off to paint 4/11/22. Back from paint 12/30/22.
Build thread here.
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Also don't leave anything steel exposed to the vapor or anywhere close. It will rust very quickly!
2nd MK4 #10639 received 3-19-23. Wife's version. Street Snake - IRS, Willwoods, no roll bars, no hood scoop, no stripes, Blue Print Sniper 2, 302 with 4R70w trans, and under car exhaust. McLaren Racing Green with saddle leather interior.
1st build - Mk4 Roadster #9319, received 4-10-18. IL registration 8/6/19. Moser 8.8. 3 Link. Wilwood brakes. Blue Print 427, Holley 750, TKO 600, 0.64 OD. Paint Dec 2020. Ruby Red with Carbon Flash Black metallic stripes.
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Thanks for the heads up Johnk
MK4 Roadster # 8548, Ford Performance X427, TKO 600, 8.8 3 Link, Paint by Jeff Miller, Suspension setup by Frank Maslowski I.E.427
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Purple.JPG
Well, not the best photo in the world but I use California Purple Polish for all my metal and plastic polishing needs. You can get it on Amazon nowadays.
Best of all, for those that hate California - California Purple Polish is not based in California, nor is the product made in California!
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I have tried a few different things, including Barkeepers Friend, Mothers metal polish, etc. Nothing works like Compound 302.
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Bat Spit.....nuff said...da Bat
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Originally Posted by
j.miller
Bat Spit.....nuff said...da Bat
Is that the Compound 302 secret ingredient? 
Maybe you used a "p" instead of an "h" there to throw us off track a bit?
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