Borla S-type catback turning gold at tips - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Zakath · 10-20-2010, 02:52 PM

Anyone have an issue with exhaust tips starting to blue from heat? I asked Borla about it and got:

"Thanks for the photo. Stainless steel will change color due to heat. This change in color turns to a gold tint is most notable inside the tip.

Most of our tips are double-walled to insulate the outer wall from heat. I suggest using our Borla polish once a month to keep it looking great.

I do this on my 3-year old exhaust and while the color is only slightly golden, keeping it shiny makes it look new.

Enjoy your Camaro!"

My camaro is stock under the hood except for the Borla Catback system. No tune, stock airbox, stock everything. I have had my exhaust since January of 2010 AND I only have 13,000 miles on the car total since October of last year, and maybe 7,500 of that is since January when I got the exhaust, so I don't feel like I am driving nearly enough for this to happen if it were going to happen at all over the life of the exhaust.

I'm just curious in seeing if this is an issue for anyone else?

Forgive the fact that my car needs a wash in this picture, but if you compare the exhaust tip to the color of the tail light bezels you get a sense of the gold discoloration. I noticed it a few months ago and it has grown steadily worse, although the picture looks pretty mild (I just don't want it to get worse). I understand the concept of heat discoloration, it just seems like tips that are so far back in the exhaust system and the idea that they are double walled specifically to resist heat discoloration should be keeping them from turning gold like that. Not even getting into how little and conservatively I drive my car.

Thanks for any replies I get

MarylandSpeed · 10-20-2010, 03:03 PM

Most stainless tips will look like that (or worse) inside.

Zakath · 10-20-2010, 03:09 PM

I agree, but the outside of mine is starting to discolor too. Is that normal given my circumstances?

HeavyD · 10-20-2010, 04:33 PM

Mine was turning really bad. I have a MBRP system. They sent replacement tips ASAP! I don't care about the inside. They are black from carbon anyways.
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=101372

Zakath · 10-20-2010, 05:27 PM

Thanks for linking that. Did they suggest anything to you to prevent it from happening again?

bkscott · 10-20-2010, 06:22 PM

Well I ran a Borla on my 4th gen but it had the Intercooled tips, and while they were black on the inside they stayed stayed clear on the out side.

I have the Borla Type S axel back and noticed the same thing. I used some metal polish on them, and while it helped they are still not clean.

ron10 · 10-20-2010, 06:45 PM

i have no problem with my stock tips.they look like new and the car is 14 months old.i wipe out the inside of my tips,so they also shine.

Apex Motorsports · 10-20-2010, 08:19 PM

Stainless exhaust will discolor but it isn't permanent like with chrome. Just hit it with some Blue Away and polish, they will be like new.

mrvenicess · 10-20-2010, 08:32 PM

Autosol, a German metal polish works great. Rub it on and work it in with a toothbrush then polish with a soft cloth. You can buy Autosol in some stores or from antique dealers. Just Google it.

Zakath · 10-20-2010, 08:48 PM

Perfect! Thanks guys, I really appreciate the info.

ITGuy11 · 10-21-2010, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrvenicess

Autosol, a German metal polish works great. Rub it on and work it in with a toothbrush then polish with a soft cloth. You can buy Autosol in some stores or from antique dealers. Just Google it.

Yup, Autosol and Blue Away will make those tips look new again.

Duke · 10-21-2010, 09:55 AM

I use Mother's Metal Polish on mine about once every 2 months. In between I give them a good wipe every other day to remove the carbon and water spots. I love good looking tips.

10-20-2010, 02:52 PM	#1
Zakath Nefarious Drives: 2010 CGM 2SS/RS Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Phoenix,AZ Posts: 61 View My Garage	Borla S-type catback turning gold at tips Anyone have an issue with exhaust tips starting to blue from heat? I asked Borla about it and got: "Thanks for the photo. Stainless steel will change color due to heat. This change in color turns to a gold tint is most notable inside the tip. Most of our tips are double-walled to insulate the outer wall from heat. I suggest using our Borla polish once a month to keep it looking great. I do this on my 3-year old exhaust and while the color is only slightly golden, keeping it shiny makes it look new. Enjoy your Camaro!" My camaro is stock under the hood except for the Borla Catback system. No tune, stock airbox, stock everything. I have had my exhaust since January of 2010 AND I only have 13,000 miles on the car total since October of last year, and maybe 7,500 of that is since January when I got the exhaust, so I don't feel like I am driving nearly enough for this to happen if it were going to happen at all over the life of the exhaust. I'm just curious in seeing if this is an issue for anyone else? Forgive the fact that my car needs a wash in this picture, but if you compare the exhaust tip to the color of the tail light bezels you get a sense of the gold discoloration. I noticed it a few months ago and it has grown steadily worse, although the picture looks pretty mild (I just don't want it to get worse). I understand the concept of heat discoloration, it just seems like tips that are so far back in the exhaust system and the idea that they are double walled specifically to resist heat discoloration should be keeping them from turning gold like that. Not even getting into how little and conservatively I drive my car. Thanks for any replies I get Attached Images

10-20-2010, 06:22 PM	#6
bkscott Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Grand Prairie, Texas Posts: 1,609 View My Garage	Well I ran a Borla on my 4th gen but it had the Intercooled tips, and while they were black on the inside they stayed stayed clear on the out side. I have the Borla Type S axel back and noticed the same thing. I used some metal polish on them, and while it helped they are still not clean. __________________ 94 Firebird Formula (Drowned 08/30/05) 2010 IBM 2SS/RS 6M Arrived 3/25/10. ADM CAI, Borla Type S Cat Back, VMAX Ported TB, LG Short Throw Shifter, 1LE Shocks, Hotchkis Sway Bars, Whiteline Cradle Bushing Inserts, Custom Powdercoated ZL1's ,Michelin Pilot Supersports, Stainless Power Headers, Solo J Pipes, AAC LED Sidemarkers, ZL1 Rockers, SLP Splitter, ADM Stage II Cam,ZL1 Diffuser,Vitesse Throttle Controller.

10-20-2010, 08:19 PM	#8
Apex Motorsports Drives: 2000 Camaro SS Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Louisville, Ky. Posts: 25,165	Stainless exhaust will discolor but it isn't permanent like with chrome. Just hit it with some Blue Away and polish, they will be like new. Last edited by Apex Motorsports; 10-20-2010 at 09:35 PM.

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10-20-2010, 03:03 PM	#2
MarylandSpeed Account Suspended Drives: 2012 ZL1 & 2010 2SS/RS Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 3,378	Most stainless tips will look like that (or worse) inside.

10-20-2010, 03:09 PM	#3
Zakath Nefarious Drives: 2010 CGM 2SS/RS Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Phoenix,AZ Posts: 61 View My Garage	I agree, but the outside of mine is starting to discolor too. Is that normal given my circumstances?

10-20-2010, 04:33 PM	#4
HeavyD Drives: 1SSRS RY L99 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Ontario Posts: 1,323	Mine was turning really bad. I have a MBRP system. They sent replacement tips ASAP! I don't care about the inside. They are black from carbon anyways. http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=101372

10-20-2010, 05:27 PM	#5
Zakath Nefarious Drives: 2010 CGM 2SS/RS Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Phoenix,AZ Posts: 61 View My Garage	Thanks for linking that. Did they suggest anything to you to prevent it from happening again?

10-20-2010, 06:45 PM	#7
ron10 Drives: 2010 2SS IOM L99 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: LOUISVILLE,KY.. Posts: 7,545	i have no problem with my stock tips.they look like new and the car is 14 months old.i wipe out the inside of my tips,so they also shine.

10-20-2010, 08:32 PM	#9
mrvenicess Drives: 2013 CRT ZL1 auto Join Date: May 2010 Location: Venice Fl Posts: 1,443 View My Garage	Autosol, a German metal polish works great. Rub it on and work it in with a toothbrush then polish with a soft cloth. You can buy Autosol in some stores or from antique dealers. Just Google it.

10-20-2010, 08:48 PM	#10
Zakath Nefarious Drives: 2010 CGM 2SS/RS Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Phoenix,AZ Posts: 61 View My Garage	Perfect! Thanks guys, I really appreciate the info.

10-21-2010, 09:55 AM	#12
Duke Drives: 2010 Red SS/RS Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Lake Jackson, TX Posts: 476	I use Mother's Metal Polish on mine about once every 2 months. In between I give them a good wipe every other day to remove the carbon and water spots. I love good looking tips.