How to polish exhaust manifolds
Due to the degree of heat and the amount of exposure the exhaust manifold is exposed to from your system, it is subject to signs of wear. So sometimes you may want to polish your exhaust manifold to make it shine like new again. Or perhaps you purchased an aftermarket exhaust manifold to replace the one on your current car and want to polish it before replacing it.
Part 1 of 1. Polish the Header
Necessary materials
- Aluminum polishing
- Brake cleaner
- Cloth or rags
- Rubber gloves
- Newspaper or tarp
- Rust remover (if necessary)
- Sandpaper (grit 800 and 1000)
- Soapy water
- Toothbrush
Step 1: Clean with soapy water. Wipe with a cloth and soapy water to remove basic dirt and grime, using an old toothbrush to clean hard to reach areas.
If the exhaust manifold is rusty, you can apply a large amount of cleaner with a cloth and rub in the same way.
Step 2: Dry completely. Then dry the exhaust manifold thoroughly with an unused cloth or rag.
Step 3: Lay out the newspaper at your workspace.. Spread newspaper over your work area and place the dry exhaust manifold on top of the newspaper.
Collect any leftover items you'll need in a nearby location so you can get to them without fuss, saving time in the polishing process.
Step 4: Spray and Rub Brake Cleaner. Spray a light to medium coat of brake cleaner over a few square inches of the exhaust manifold, then rub in thoroughly in a circular motion.
Be sure to do this with a rag while wearing latex gloves to protect your skin from irritation. Repeat as many times as necessary to cover the entire surface of the exhaust manifold.
Step 5: Apply Metallic Polish to the Header. Apply a generous amount of metal polish to the manifold and sand it thoroughly with 1000 grit sandpaper.
Once the metal polish builds up enough to clump on the sandpaper, rinse the paper with clean water and keep going.
Step 6: Rinse off excess metal polish with plain water.. It may be best to take the exhaust manifold outside for easy cleaning and use of a water hose.
Step 7: Apply soapy water again. Wash it again with soapy water and then rinse again with plain water as you did in step 1.
Step 8: Dry Header. Let the exhaust manifold dry completely on a clean surface.
Step 9: Dry Sanding the Manifold. Sand dry with 800 grit sandpaper in quick up and down or back and forth motions, then wash again with soap and water.
If desired, you can clean it again with metal polish as you did in step 4 and rinse one last time before letting it air dry untouched.
Functions: For best results, after reinstalling the polished exhaust manifold on the vehicle, spray lightly with brake cleaner. Then wipe it off with a clean cloth. This will remove any oils accidentally left on the exhaust manifold from your fingers, which can lead to discoloration after repeated exposure to heat from the exhaust system.
A warning: polishing the exhaust manifold is a laborious process. Expect 4 to 10 hours to work, depending on the condition of the header.
While polishing an exhaust manifold takes some time and effort, it can become a hobby for a car enthusiast. Returning a discolored and possibly rusty manifold to like new is easy and relatively inexpensive, and can make the look under the hood of a car much more attractive. This is especially useful for vehicle owners who have collectible vehicles or those that are customized for aesthetic appeal. If you notice any unusual noise or engine misfiring, contact one of AvtoTachki's certified technicians for an inspection.
