Caring For Your BMW Magnaflow Exhaust Tips

You’ve tricked out your BMW with a high-flow performance BMW Magnaflow exhaust system, and you’ve even gone the extra little bit and added exhaust tips to get that designer styling look. You keep your car clean, inside and out, you enjoy taking care of your vehicle and keeping it in the best possible condition. But one day you notice a flaw. When you wipe down your exhaust tips they don’t seem to come clean. Instead of their usual shiny silver, your exhaust tips have taken on a yellowish gold discoloration. You try rubbing harder but it’s a no-go. How did this happen? What can you do about it?

The How & Why of Exhaust Tip Discoloration

Ironically, the cause of exhaust tip discoloration is inherent in their final polishing process. The final polishing compound is comprised of finely ground metal particulates, and during the polishing process some of these tiny metal granules become embedded in the microscopic pores of the exhaust tips. Over time, these tiny passengers oxidize, changing in color to give your exhaust tips a yellowed, discolored appearance. The oxidization of your exhaust tips can be accelerated if they are exposed to harsh climates or excessive heat. In some cases, high temperature exhausts can actually cause your exhaust tips to turn blue.

Despite the implication of the name, stainless exhaust tips are more vulnerable to oxidization discoloration that the chrome versions. However, both chrome and stainless exhaust tips will discolor, especially if they are single walled. Single walled exhaust tips of any material type discolor more rapidly than double walled tips because they lack a thermal barrier, making them much more susceptible to the acceleration of oxidation due to heat. For this reason, BMW Magnaflow exhaust tips are double walled.

Fixing & Preventing Oxidization

Whether your exhaust tips are stainless or chrome, they’ll need periodic polishing with a metal cleaner and polish compound to keep up their natural shine. While you can use whatever brand you favor for your vehicles other shiny components, the folks at the Auto Parts Network particularly recommend Eagle One Wire Wheel Cleaner, which will keep your tips shiny without putting any more polish particulates into your exhaust tip pores. For $5 per 26 oz. bottle, it’s an inexpensive way to keep your BMW looking priceless.