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      02-24-2017, 07:10 PM   #1
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MPE Exhaust Tips - Is There a Fix or Do I Just Replace???

Hey All

Let me start out by saying that I need some direction or advice on a path forward. My current MPE exhaust has approximately 60,000 km (37,000 miles). I decided that it was time for a little TLC as the tips have seen better days. Here are some pictures from the exhaust as it came off my car.

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My initial approach to cleaning them was a wash and rinse followed by Chemical Guys Clay Lube and Sonus Clay Bar to remove tar and contaminants. Once this was done I did a once over with Chemical Guys V34 with an Orange Pad. I attempted a second time to help improve the results. The results are seen here.

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Needless to say, not what I was hoping for. The top of the exhaust appears have almost brush or matt finish to the metal. My fear is that any degree of polishing will eliminate the laser etching of the ///M on top. Meanwhile, the bottom of the tip appears to be oxidized or the finish is marred by carbon. At this point in time I am looking at potentially taking the tips off and having them ceramic coated black and having the ///M redone. Alternatively, if there is anything I can do to refinish to the original condition, I would consider that too.

Based upon my research it appears that replacement MPE tips are not available. I have looked at various options out there such as EAS 80mm tips, as well retrofitting Akropovic ones. I don't necessarily wish to go down the retrofit route, but I NEED to do something. The current state is deplorable and I have to rectify it.

I am open to suggestions......
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      02-24-2017, 08:38 PM   #2
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Frankly, I think the M logos looked kinda dumb. The car has enough M logos on it already. I'd just polish the tips and call it a day.
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      02-24-2017, 09:38 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dparm View Post
Frankly, I think the M logos looked kinda dumb. The car has enough M logos on it already. I'd just polish the tips and call it a day.
That's certainly one train of thought. The EAS tips would be an example akin to the polished look excluding the ///M etching. I certainly did consider this look however the following points would prevent me from this look;

- I do appreciate the honeycomb inside as it feels as though it gives it an added dimension to the tips that I find stylish.

- normally I would agree with the comment regarding the ///M etching and the exorbitant use around some cars. More so when we see the likes of more and more BMW's adorning the '///M' Performance moniker. M235i, XM40i and the ghastly ///M badging plastered on a riced out 335. However, I do think the MPE tips are subtle enough to not be over the top. The intricacy of the laser etching is fairly subtle and adds a nice touch to the finished product. I think it works for Akrapovic, while certainly doing it for the MPE.
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      02-24-2017, 09:55 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FMLYSDN View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by dparm View Post
Frankly, I think the M logos looked kinda dumb. The car has enough M logos on it already. I'd just polish the tips and call it a day.
That's certainly one train of thought. The EAS tips would be an example akin to the polished look excluding the ///M etching. I certainly did consider this look however the following points would prevent me from this look;

- I do appreciate the honeycomb inside as it feels as though it gives it an added dimension to the tips that I find stylish.

- normally I would agree with the comment regarding the ///M etching and the exorbitant use around some cars. More so when we see the likes of more and more BMW's adorning the '///M' Performance moniker. M235i, XM40i and the ghastly ///M badging plastered on a riced out 335. However, I do think the MPE tips are subtle enough to not be over the top. The intricacy of the laser etching is fairly subtle and adds a nice touch to the finished product. I think it works for Akrapovic, while certainly doing it for the MPE.
Insert 'Riced 335'
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      02-24-2017, 10:53 PM   #5
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Have you tried Nevr dull? Worked great on my mpe, but I did not have the oxidation.
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      02-24-2017, 11:24 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by briancl View Post
Have you tried Nevr dull? Worked great on my mpe, but I did not have the oxidation.
Nope. But after reading a number of threads, it seems as though that's one option I will try. There was also threads referring to P21S polishing soap. Those are two that I have begun to look into.

Thanks for the input
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      02-25-2017, 01:21 AM   #7
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P21s soap is good stuff and may help. Based on the photos polishing is your only option. The ///M logo should be fine. Use a less aggressive pad and compound combo and exercise a bit of patience to protect the logo.
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      02-25-2017, 02:04 AM   #8
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I would try Flitz polish and a foam polishing pad, should not hurt the logo. While Neverdull is a great product I have used for over 20 years. Unfortunately from my experience with it, don't think it will be enough to get the desired results.
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      02-25-2017, 08:44 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hagasan41 View Post
P21s soap is good stuff and may help. Based on the photos polishing is your only option. The ///M logo should be fine. Use a less aggressive pad and compound combo and exercise a bit of patience to protect the logo.
Thanks for the direction. I will definitely consider it and give it a try.
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      02-25-2017, 08:44 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by redvitesse View Post
I would try Flitz polish and a foam polishing pad, should not hurt the logo. While Neverdull is a great product I have used for over 20 years. Unfortunately from my experience with it, don't think it will be enough to get the desired results.
Thank you. Perhaps this will be one in many steps towards success.
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      02-25-2017, 08:56 AM   #11
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I just polished my mpe tips. The black paint was coming off so I polished everything out. There was a lot of oxidation too.Used autosol metal polish and it works wonders
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      02-25-2017, 09:03 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FMLYSDN View Post
That's certainly one train of thought. The EAS tips would be an example akin to the polished look excluding the ///M etching. I certainly did consider this look however the following points would prevent me from this look;

- I do appreciate the honeycomb inside as it feels as though it gives it an added dimension to the tips that I find stylish.

- normally I would agree with the comment regarding the ///M etching and the exorbitant use around some cars. More so when we see the likes of more and more BMW's adorning the '///M' Performance moniker. M235i, XM40i and the ghastly ///M badging plastered on a riced out 335. However, I do think the MPE tips are subtle enough to not be over the top. The intricacy of the laser etching is fairly subtle and adds a nice touch to the finished product. I think it works for Akrapovic, while certainly doing it for the MPE.
DIY video...

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      02-25-2017, 09:39 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by FMLYSDN View Post
That's certainly one train of thought. The EAS tips would be an example akin to the polished look excluding the ///M etching. I certainly did consider this look however the following points would prevent me from this look;

- I do appreciate the honeycomb inside as it feels as though it gives it an added dimension to the tips that I find stylish.

- normally I would agree with the comment regarding the ///M etching and the exorbitant use around some cars. More so when we see the likes of more and more BMW's adorning the '///M' Performance moniker. M235i, XM40i and the ghastly ///M badging plastered on a riced out 335. However, I do think the MPE tips are subtle enough to not be over the top. The intricacy of the laser etching is fairly subtle and adds a nice touch to the finished product. I think it works for Akrapovic, while certainly doing it for the MPE.
DIY video...

Thanks! I have watched this video a few times and will be seeing Troy this weekend. Hopefully he can help with some of the products outlined in this thread!
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      02-25-2017, 09:41 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by R3dliner View Post
I just polished my mpe tips. The black paint was coming off so I polished everything out. There was a lot of oxidation too.Used autosol metal polish and it works wonders
Care to share any pictures?

I think that I will refinish the inside too however, I will probably look at painting it black again.
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      02-25-2017, 03:16 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FMLYSDN View Post
Care to share any pictures?

I think that I will refinish the inside too however, I will probably look at painting it black again.
This was me spending only 30 mins on 4 tips with a cone drill adapter. Going to finish them out today and I'll update with complete pictures.
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      02-25-2017, 04:10 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FMLYSDN View Post
Nope. But after reading a number of threads, it seems as though that's one option I will try. There was also threads referring to P21S polishing soap. Those are two that I have begun to look into.

Thanks for the input
Both are good products but they are abrasive and will probably start removing the M logo.

I use Nevr Dull for any soot or grime that's really caked on (rare). The polishing soap is usually adequate for my car wash routine.
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      02-25-2017, 04:28 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by R3dliner View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by FMLYSDN View Post
Care to share any pictures?

I think that I will refinish the inside too however, I will probably look at painting it black again.
This was me spending only 30 mins on 4 tips with a cone drill adapter. Going to finish them out today and I'll update with complete pictures.
Interesting. Thanks for the pic. I'd really like to see the finished product.
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      02-25-2017, 04:38 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dparm View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by FMLYSDN View Post
Nope. But after reading a number of threads, it seems as though that's one option I will try. There was also threads referring to P21S polishing soap. Those are two that I have begun to look into.

Thanks for the input
Both are good products but they are abrasive and will probably start removing the M logo.

I use Nevr Dull for any soot or grime that's really caked on (rare). The polishing soap is usually adequate for my car wash routine.
So I took the liberty of stopping by our local detailer Autobsessed to speak to them about some of the products noted by everyone here.

I ended up taking home the P21S soap polish, #000 & #0000 steel wool and some Sonus metal polish.

My initial attempt at using the P21S proved to be a futile exercise. I think that everything has been baked on so long as well as oxidized that it didn't make a difference with the P21S. I'll try again during the summer season when I need to clean the finished tips regularly. Next up was the steel wool....

I am still wondering about the weird finish on top of the tips near the ///M laser etching. This gets interesting.

...
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      02-25-2017, 04:45 PM   #19
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Next step I took is the steel wool. Initially focusing on a fine #0000 steel wool and then worked on the bottom of the tip away from the ///M.

Initial results looked good. The carbon was beginning to come off albeit a little more force than I thought was necessary.

...
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      02-25-2017, 04:52 PM   #20
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I moved over to the #000 steel wool and the results started to come quickly.

Any of the areas that appeared 'polished' from my previous work, began to haze and appear 'brushed'

I carried on until I was satisfied with the results. This was working but it looked as though It would take some time.

I wish I had some #00 steel wool!!!

As I moved to the top of the tip where the ///M etching was located, I carried on with the #000 steel wool. The oxidization was extremely hard to remove. I truly wish I had a slightly more abrasive one. Especially for the inside of the tip.

However, progress can be seen! And the etching is proving to be very resilient. No signs of wear or thinning.

...
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      02-25-2017, 05:37 PM   #21
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...
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      02-25-2017, 05:41 PM   #22
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After continually working at the top, I finally am happy at this point. It's a good start and the ///M looks great. The inside of the tip is another story. We will tackle that later.

...
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