Pipe Cleaning

[harey]

Hi,

Now, I know the 4-pipes are fake, but I am worried mine look like plastic. Normally the tarnishing that builds up on the tailpipes can be cleaned using a metal polish, but I am not sure if the ISFs can’t be cleaned this way.

Has anybody have any thoughts/ideas on how to get them clean, as mine are now due!

Cheers

Chris

[Parthiban]

Are they really plastic? That does seem odd, although does that perhaps make them cheap to replace? I've no idea how you polish up chrome plated plastic - can it even be done?

[Looney]

I'd check with Lexus on this because on my ISF they look and feel very chrome to me and I use a metal polish on them every 3-4 weeks and they come up like new

[mattc]

What about this Meguiar's Plastic Polish?

http://www.meguiars.co.uk/cgi-bin/specwd.p...G12310&tp=0

or

http://www.meguiars.co.uk/ under Shop/Enthusiast/Other Surfaces

[fjcfarrar]

Hi,

Now, I know the 4-pipes are fake, but the fact they are plastic to me is a strange decision. Normally the tarnishing that builds up on the tailpipes can be cleaned using a metal polish, but the ISFs can’t be cleaned this way.

Has anybody have any thoughts/ideas on how to get them clean, as mine are now due!

Cheers

Chris

I would be a bit worried if I were you because mine are neither fake nor plastic! The four pipes from the two rear silencers poke into chromed steel extensions (a magnet sticks to them). I use Brasso Duraglit Silver-Polish wadding which removes tar/carbon deposits well, and because it is for silver; has a fine texture and is a gentle abrasive.

[harey]

Hi,

Now, I know the 4-pipes are fake, but the fact they are plastic to me is a strange decision. Normally the tarnishing that builds up on the tailpipes can be cleaned using a metal polish, but the ISFs can’t be cleaned this way.

Has anybody have any thoughts/ideas on how to get them clean, as mine are now due!

Cheers

Chris

I would be a bit worried if I were you because mine are neither fake nor plastic! The four pipes from the two rear silencers poke into chromed steel extensions (a magnet sticks to them). I use Brasso Duraglit Silver-Polish wadding which removes tar/carbon deposits well, and because it is for silver; has a fine texture and is a gentle abrasive.

Ok, red face here!

With some blind faith (following very grateful advice) I've had a quick go at the exhaust tips to see if they appear to be cleaning up and showing chrome under all the road grime; and yes they do. I have to admit I am still confused as upon 'tapping' them, they are making a very plastic sound so I am sure the whole construction can't be all metal, which is why I was nervous before.

However, I've checked under the car and they are definately not attached to the 'real' exhaust pipes as there is about a few inches between them? I am going mad.

[harey]

Ok, I've found a picture on the internet, which isn't mine but does show an ISF with what mine is like.

http://www.autospies.com/images/users/Agen...-F/BDW_0051.JPG

Is everybody's not like this?

[fjcfarrar]

Ok, I've found a picture on the internet, which isn't mine but does show an ISF with what mine is like.

http://www.autospies.com/images/users/Agen...-F/BDW_0051.JPG

Is everybody's not like this?

The picture doesn't reveal much. Unless the 2010 model is different, on each side, two shortish pipes stick out of a silencer and these extend into chrome oval-section extensions rigidly mounted in the bumper. These are not physically clamped/connected to the pipes from the silencers because if they were, the plastic bumper would catch fire from the heat - if the vibration and movement of the silencers had not already smashed it. Hope this clears it up.

[sorted vti]

the missus cleaned my pipes the other night!! dunno what she used but it felt great!! :D

[harey]

Ok, I've found a picture on the internet, which isn't mine but does show an ISF with what mine is like.

http://www.autospies.com/images/users/Agen...-F/BDW_0051.JPG

Is everybody's not like this?

The picture doesn't reveal much. Unless the 2010 model is different, on each side, two shortish pipes stick out of a silencer and these extend into chrome oval-section extensions rigidly mounted in the bumper. These are not physically clamped/connected to the pipes from the silencers because if they were, the plastic bumper would catch fire from the heat - if the vibration and movement of the silencers had not already smashed it. Hope this clears it up.

Thanks very much, it does actually sound like we have the same setup. Again not a picture of mine, but shows what mine looks like under the back of the rear bumper.

[Tango]

I would be a bit worried if I were you because mine are neither fake nor plastic! The four pipes from the two rear silencers poke into chromed steel extensions I use Brasso Duraglit Silver-Polish wadding which removes tar/carbon deposits well, and because it is for silver; has a fine texture and is a gentle abrasive.

Who are you trying to kid that they're not fake/cosmetic

[fjcfarrar]

I would be a bit worried if I were you because mine are neither fake nor plastic! The four pipes from the two rear silencers poke into chromed steel extensions I use Brasso Duraglit Silver-Polish wadding which removes tar/carbon deposits well, and because it is for silver; has a fine texture and is a gentle abrasive.

Who are you trying to kid that they're not fake/cosmetic

Trying - and obviously not succeeding. Of course they are cosmetic i.e done that way for the look; but that doesn't stop them from being 4 real outlets for 4 tailpipes. Mine are better fitted than in your picture - there isn't a gap to get your fingers between the pipes and the chrome extensions/trims, and they are properly aligned so that the pipes fall in the centres of the trims. The main point is that if they were fake; when you took off these "cosmetic" trims, there would be no pipes behind to feed them with the exhaust gases. So they are either ALL fake - and that just won't work - or NONE are. On reflection, your picture actually proves they are NOT fakes and should put an end to the curious suggestion that they are :D

[Parthiban]

I'm sure that picture is a pre-production model, I remember those pics and then once the real car came along it wasn't that bad. But are the actual pipes round and so small like that? I had a quick peek at one in the dealers and didn't notice that, they looked much less obvious than that on the real car.

Maybe someone with an actual roadgoing IS-F can take a few pics and finally put this whole discussion to rest.

[Tango]

Sorry, found the pic in my file and couldn't resist baiting the hook.

[fjcfarrar]

I'm sure that picture is a pre-production model, I remember those pics and then once the real car came along it wasn't that bad. But are the actual pipes round and so small like that? I had a quick peek at one in the dealers and didn't notice that, they looked much less obvious than that on the real car.

Maybe someone with an actual roadgoing IS-F can take a few pics and finally put this whole discussion to rest.

I would, but it is nearly impossible to get a decent view to show both pipes sticking out of each silencer or how far they reach into the trims. And yes, each pipe is round and relatively small to allow clearance to move about within the extensions.

I know the issue doesn't matter anyway, but I do wonder how it is that people give precedence to the delusions of those who have never seen one over clear statements from quite a few who actually have one and have had a good look? I don't think it will ever get put to bed because there are those who just don't allow facts to get in the way, convinced that Lexus set out to hoodwink us with the exhausts :D

[nicnac]

just use a little parifen(heating oil) in a rag to clean your exaust tailpipes .it gets the tar etc off then just soap and water to take oil off . NO abbrasives so no damage to chrome!!