Strange exhaust cutting question
#1
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Strange exhaust cutting question
So I asked the guy at the bodyshop to chop off my exhaust tips so I can send them to get re-chromed...
He said he couldn't because supposedly the exhaust acts as a ground to the car and he'd have to disconnect the battery and chop the tips, then attach a wire to the chassis from the exhaust before re-connecting the exhaust again.
That sounds like a loaf of bull***** to me and it doesn't even make sense on so many levels that i don't want to explain......but....i figured i should ask you guys here.
I'm safe to just chop the tips off, right? There won't be an EML on the instrument panel after? I know it doesn't make sense, but he scared me 5%
He said he couldn't because supposedly the exhaust acts as a ground to the car and he'd have to disconnect the battery and chop the tips, then attach a wire to the chassis from the exhaust before re-connecting the exhaust again.
That sounds like a loaf of bull***** to me and it doesn't even make sense on so many levels that i don't want to explain......but....i figured i should ask you guys here.
I'm safe to just chop the tips off, right? There won't be an EML on the instrument panel after? I know it doesn't make sense, but he scared me 5%
![rolf](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/rofl.gif)
#2
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2014 E63S; AMS 100 octane ecu tune; edok tcu tune; BB intakes; dyno tuned
Never heard of such a thing
Why wouldn't the rest of the exhaust system be grounding the electrical and why would just the tips matter... If he's correct
Why wouldn't the rest of the exhaust system be grounding the electrical and why would just the tips matter... If he's correct
#3
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2016 AMG S65, AMG GL63, 2012 AMG E63 With AMS Alpha 9 Package, Renntech 200 Catted Downpipes.
Sorry, but I think your body shop is trying to take you to the cleaner.
It's a simple saw and weld procedure, but you might need to get a little extension.
Good luck.
It's a simple saw and weld procedure, but you might need to get a little extension.
Good luck.
So I asked the guy at the bodyshop to chop off my exhaust tips so I can send them to get re-chromed...
He said he couldn't because supposedly the exhaust acts as a ground to the car and he'd have to disconnect the battery and chop the tips, then attach a wire to the chassis from the exhaust before re-connecting the exhaust again.
That sounds like a loaf of bull***** to me and it doesn't even make sense on so many levels that i don't want to explain......but....i figured i should ask you guys here.
I'm safe to just chop the tips off, right? There won't be an EML on the instrument panel after? I know it doesn't make sense, but he scared me 5%![rolf](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/rofl.gif)
He said he couldn't because supposedly the exhaust acts as a ground to the car and he'd have to disconnect the battery and chop the tips, then attach a wire to the chassis from the exhaust before re-connecting the exhaust again.
That sounds like a loaf of bull***** to me and it doesn't even make sense on so many levels that i don't want to explain......but....i figured i should ask you guys here.
I'm safe to just chop the tips off, right? There won't be an EML on the instrument panel after? I know it doesn't make sense, but he scared me 5%
![rolf](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/rofl.gif)
#4
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Thanks guys. Yeah it did seem like some major BS was going on. i'll chop it off myself with a hacksaw and take it to get re-chromed.
#5
#6
Senior Member
So I asked the guy at the bodyshop to chop off my exhaust tips so I can send them to get re-chromed...
He said he couldn't because supposedly the exhaust acts as a ground to the car and he'd have to disconnect the battery and chop the tips, then attach a wire to the chassis from the exhaust before re-connecting the exhaust again.
That sounds like a loaf of bull***** to me and it doesn't even make sense on so many levels that i don't want to explain......but....i figured i should ask you guys here.
I'm safe to just chop the tips off, right? There won't be an EML on the instrument panel after? I know it doesn't make sense, but he scared me 5%![rolf](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/rofl.gif)
He said he couldn't because supposedly the exhaust acts as a ground to the car and he'd have to disconnect the battery and chop the tips, then attach a wire to the chassis from the exhaust before re-connecting the exhaust again.
That sounds like a loaf of bull***** to me and it doesn't even make sense on so many levels that i don't want to explain......but....i figured i should ask you guys here.
I'm safe to just chop the tips off, right? There won't be an EML on the instrument panel after? I know it doesn't make sense, but he scared me 5%
![rolf](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/rofl.gif)
#7
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SO...out came the hammer and I did a DIY polish job on it. Of course, seeing as it was me doing it, naturally I cut corners by not bothing on the areas that wouldn't be seen, ie hidden away under the bumper. The visible parts came out nicely though and so now when I wash my car and glaze over the exhaust tips, they look pretty. I'd still prefer that oem/mint chrome finish some day...but I'm not that ballin' to do that just yet
![Stick Out Tongue](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/tongue.gif)
Here are some pics I took of the transformation....I won't annotate a great deal, but you can work out the evolution by the pics. Basically...clean...rub....smooth...polish...pray. ..
Ok, before
![Strange exhaust cutting question-20160307_170600_zps6sjlmob4.jpg](https://mbworld.org/forums/attachments/w212-amg/366781d1542318796t-strange-exhaust-cutting-question-20160307_170600_zps6sjlmob4.jpg)
![Strange exhaust cutting question-20160307_173132_resized_zpsxvrrukg0.jpg](https://mbworld.org/forums/attachments/w212-amg/366782d1542318796t-strange-exhaust-cutting-question-20160307_173132_resized_zpsxvrrukg0.jpg)
![Strange exhaust cutting question-20160307_170622_resized_zpspjaica28.jpg](https://mbworld.org/forums/attachments/w212-amg/366783d1542318796t-strange-exhaust-cutting-question-20160307_170622_resized_zpspjaica28.jpg)
![Strange exhaust cutting question-20160307_170608_resized_zpskthvqxzq.jpg](https://mbworld.org/forums/attachments/w212-amg/366784d1542318796t-strange-exhaust-cutting-question-20160307_170608_resized_zpskthvqxzq.jpg)
![Strange exhaust cutting question-20160307_170616_resized_zpsopc9mrpw.jpg](https://mbworld.org/forums/attachments/w212-amg/366785d1542318796t-strange-exhaust-cutting-question-20160307_170616_resized_zpsopc9mrpw.jpg)
During
![Strange exhaust cutting question-20160307_173139_resized_zpswauhytk5.jpg](https://mbworld.org/forums/attachments/w212-amg/366786d1542318796t-strange-exhaust-cutting-question-20160307_173139_resized_zpswauhytk5.jpg)
![](http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y239/Ranasaur/20160307_175310_resized_zpss6wvd4fn.jpg)
![Strange exhaust cutting question-20160308_165318_resized_zpsewet98ck.jpg](https://mbworld.org/forums/attachments/w212-amg/366787d1542318796t-strange-exhaust-cutting-question-20160308_165318_resized_zpsewet98ck.jpg)
![Strange exhaust cutting question-20160308_165310_resized_zpsna39hltp.jpg](https://mbworld.org/forums/attachments/w212-amg/366788d1542318796t-strange-exhaust-cutting-question-20160308_165310_resized_zpsna39hltp.jpg)
![Strange exhaust cutting question-20160403_132315_resized_zpstqp5jviv.jpg](https://mbworld.org/forums/attachments/w212-amg/366789d1542318796t-strange-exhaust-cutting-question-20160403_132315_resized_zpstqp5jviv.jpg)
After
![Strange exhaust cutting question-20160403_141707_resized_zpstuwvy24e.jpg](https://mbworld.org/forums/attachments/w212-amg/366790d1542318796t-strange-exhaust-cutting-question-20160403_141707_resized_zpstuwvy24e.jpg)
![Strange exhaust cutting question-20160403_141651_resized_zpsdabbr0n7.jpg](https://mbworld.org/forums/attachments/w212-amg/366791d1542318796t-strange-exhaust-cutting-question-20160403_141651_resized_zpsdabbr0n7.jpg)
![Strange exhaust cutting question-20160403_141608_resized_zps4xwtklfq.jpg](https://mbworld.org/forums/attachments/w212-amg/366792d1542318796t-strange-exhaust-cutting-question-20160403_141608_resized_zps4xwtklfq.jpg)
Comparing the freshly done pair to the other side for contrast...
![Strange exhaust cutting question-20160403_142648_resized_zpstbfunxnj.jpg](https://mbworld.org/forums/attachments/w212-amg/366793d1542318796t-strange-exhaust-cutting-question-20160403_142648_resized_zpstbfunxnj.jpg)
Aaaaaaand both done...
![Strange exhaust cutting question-20160403_173109_resized_1_zpseullubne.jpg](https://mbworld.org/forums/attachments/w212-amg/366794d1542318796t-strange-exhaust-cutting-question-20160403_173109_resized_1_zpseullubne.jpg)
![Strange exhaust cutting question-20160403_173102_resized_zpssvfprib5.jpg](https://mbworld.org/forums/attachments/w212-amg/366795d1542318796t-strange-exhaust-cutting-question-20160403_173102_resized_zpssvfprib5.jpg)
![Strange exhaust cutting question-20160403_173055_resized_zpswsfjomsg.jpg](https://mbworld.org/forums/attachments/w212-amg/366796d1542318796t-strange-exhaust-cutting-question-20160403_173055_resized_zpswsfjomsg.jpg)
![Strange exhaust cutting question-20160403_173049_resized_zpsebs8pgaz.jpg](https://mbworld.org/forums/attachments/w212-amg/366797d1542318796t-strange-exhaust-cutting-question-20160403_173049_resized_zpsebs8pgaz.jpg)
Here's a pretty poor pic of them fitted....but fitted nevertheless
![Stick Out Tongue](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/tongue.gif)
![Strange exhaust cutting question-vve_exhaust_tips_fitted_zpsidgtjytg.jpg](https://mbworld.org/forums/attachments/w212-amg/366798d1542318802t-strange-exhaust-cutting-question-vve_exhaust_tips_fitted_zpsidgtjytg.jpg)
Hope that helps
![thumbs](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
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#8
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2018 S560 and 2019 E450 Wagon.
Be careful welding them back on, I heard this can create a nuclear explosion
Unreal, sounds like the kind of run around I get with so many things, sometimes the only way to do things is to do it yourself I guess, good job, they turned out well.
![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#9
Member
They came out great! What did you use to polish the tips? I'm still using Simichrome for polishing, but interested in what else is available. I've had this tube for over 20 years.
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cadeca (07-08-2016)
#12
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2014 E63S; AMS 100 octane ecu tune; edok tcu tune; BB intakes; dyno tuned
Nice work
I use #0000 steel wool and chrome polish and they stay super clean and like new
I use #0000 steel wool and chrome polish and they stay super clean and like new
#16
@Celicasaur great job polishing them up! They look as close to new as you can get without actual re-chroming. I am interested - did you re-weld for fitment or use an exhaust clamp for future removal / cleaning ease
( i.e.: https://m.summitracing.com/search/ne...ll-flange-kits)
( i.e.: https://m.summitracing.com/search/ne...ll-flange-kits)
#17
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Sorry for the delay guys - I tend to live in the W204 AMG forum nowadays ![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
I didn't re-chrome them, but honestly re-chroming would have been miles better tbh. I made the best of a bad situation. The original factory finish is chrome.
I have a friend whom uses wire wool on his exhaust tips on his Audi TTRS. Personally, I wouldn't...I'd use any brand of good chrome polish and regularly give them some tlc while the tips are in good/new condition. I think that wirewool is too harsh and will eventually score the finish.
My tips were mostly pitted (badly) on the inside edges and so yes I had to sand them down completely to a bare/flat aluminium surface and then polish it back up with compounds and witchcraft.
I had them re-welded back on...tbh I seem to be ok just giving them a quick hand polish every month or so and they still appear in good enough condition. If they screw up again in the future, i'll probably buy a nice new set of chrome tips.
I also wanted the tips to poke out by 1cm from their resting place, but thankfully the shop didn't do that.... I didn't know this but when you beat on the car and drive it hard, the heat makes the tips poke out by 1cm or so anyway....it looks great tbh when on the road (or when you just park up after a hard drive) but it's also a pity that they shrivel up and sit just under the diffuser when cold and parked up...hmmm....maybe I'll get them extended by 1am anyway and then live with the 2cm total extension when the car is being driven hard. Food for thought.
![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
I didn't re-chrome them, but honestly re-chroming would have been miles better tbh. I made the best of a bad situation. The original factory finish is chrome.
I have a friend whom uses wire wool on his exhaust tips on his Audi TTRS. Personally, I wouldn't...I'd use any brand of good chrome polish and regularly give them some tlc while the tips are in good/new condition. I think that wirewool is too harsh and will eventually score the finish.
My tips were mostly pitted (badly) on the inside edges and so yes I had to sand them down completely to a bare/flat aluminium surface and then polish it back up with compounds and witchcraft.
I had them re-welded back on...tbh I seem to be ok just giving them a quick hand polish every month or so and they still appear in good enough condition. If they screw up again in the future, i'll probably buy a nice new set of chrome tips.
I also wanted the tips to poke out by 1cm from their resting place, but thankfully the shop didn't do that.... I didn't know this but when you beat on the car and drive it hard, the heat makes the tips poke out by 1cm or so anyway....it looks great tbh when on the road (or when you just park up after a hard drive) but it's also a pity that they shrivel up and sit just under the diffuser when cold and parked up...hmmm....maybe I'll get them extended by 1am anyway and then live with the 2cm total extension when the car is being driven hard. Food for thought.