bscrivener

I would be nice after the work you have done that there was not a high temp clear coat to keep them spiffy longer.

Mother,

I haven't seen any clear coat but the semichrome polish that I used is supposed to provide some amount of durability to the finish. Apparently this stuff is big with the motorcycle crowd keeping their exhaust nice and shiny. I'll see how it holds up.

-Bo

Looks great! Huge improvement! Just wondering what tires you got on in that pic? Kinda look like my Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus's. Thought mine was the only 996 running them tires.

I am running Michelin Pilot Sports but not A/S's. These have the summer compound on them so I have to be a bit careful when the temp is below 45 deg. I was wondering how the All Seasons compare and have been thinking about them for my next set.

-Bo

You are right - it is a bit difficult to see with those shots but the results look good.

I think I'm going to try to keep them cleaned up for a while and see how things go.

Thanks for the input. Great reference.

-Bo

Thanks!

I tried a number of things over the last 6-8 weeks or so... Everything was done lying on the ground behind my car with the pipes in place :-)

PART 1:

1. After a good wash... I spent a few hours with some steel wool #1, #0 and #00 and brasso (from Home Depot) and did a pretty good job of getting the first layer of brown cleaned off. I applied this by hand while wearing some latex rubber gloves. That Brasso is pretty strong and stinks a bit.
2. I then tried some 100 grit sand paper with a foam pad. This helped get things to a light brown or almond color.
3. I rinsed things off with water and dried off with some old terry cloth towels.

This photo shows how far I got at this point.

The left side still has some light brown color.

The right side has been polished with steps below.

PART 2:

1. I then ordered some things from Amazon.com and this is where things got noticeably better.
2. The mushroom buff on my drill along with the different polishing compounds took the light brown to a silver color
3. The semichrome polish and the buff then brought out more silver and a bit of mirror finish
4. The stainless steel is not chrome so it is not as nice as the tips, but it doesn't look "dirty" anymore

If I were to start over, I think I would skip the steel wool by hand and go with the drill, buff and compounds.

There are still some areas I cannot get to easily that could use some work but I'm satisfied for now. Definitely learned some things about stainless steel.

Here are links to the Amazon items I purchased:

• http://www.amazon.co...68081358&sr=1-4
• http://www.amazon.co...68081132&sr=1-1
• http://www.amazon.co...68081089&sr=8-1

-Bo

All,

I've made some progress on the polishing front.

I used a number of things:

• steel wool #1, #0, #00 for initial work
• brasso seemed to help
• the best seems to be "semichrome" polish when applied with a drill and mushroom buff

I have spent many hours working on these pipes and still have some more to do but so far so good. I was about to give up and paint them.

Thanks so much! I'll follow these details.

-Bo

Loren,

DO you happen to have the instructions for the Gauge surround removal? 2. Is the Upper center console (horseshoe) removal the same as in this thread for a 99, 996? 3. Are there instructions for the Gauge surround to be removed?

I can't believe the prices they want to charge for this at the dealer.

1. Look here

2. No, there are 3 pieces on the pre MY02 cars. The side pieces come off if you pry them with a dull tool.

3. see item 1 and this thread.

Loren,

I'm trying to get the horseshoe pieces off of my MY00 C2 and found this older thread. #2 above indicates the horseshoe is in three pieces and the sides pop off.

I have the two side pieces off which was easy enough.

Does the upper piece just "pop off" too or does it need to be unscrewed first? It did not come off as easily as the side pieces did and I didn't want to break anything. Looks like a torx could be holding it in place but I can't tell for sure.

Thanks for any help - I searched but couldn't find specifics on this top piece. I may have missed it though.

-Bo

My understanding is that VHT is made for this purpose and am going to give it a try, but making sure that the parts are properly prepped using steal wool etc. My only concern is longevity of the paint.

Longevity has been a concern of mine as well. I think I'll give black VHT a try when it warms up a bit. Darin of FD Motorsports has a ceramic coating option that I am interested in as well.

open the trays (and remove them) and you will see tabs to push to release it.

OK - I'm making progress and got the 4 CD holders out, but I still can't get the "box" from out of the bracket. It still only moves about an inch or so. I can't see tabs or anything to enable it to release. Is it even possible to get the inner section out?

Here is what I have with it slid in

And this is as far as I can slide it out

Thanks so much for the help.

I removed the CD tray from the console (easy enough... just pull it out) and have been trying to get the 4 CD's from the bracket. I would like to make a custom panel for some things I would like to have access to.

I have been able to slide it out a few inches as shown below, but it goes no further. Anyone know how to remove it?

-Bo

Thanks everyone for the input so far.

Another idea I had is some sort of diffuser add-on that would extend below the bumper and cover things up. I've been searching for something like this but can't find anything that seems to be what I need. I don't care about the rear aerodynamics, just aesthetics.

-Bo

Another solution is to get another bumper cover that covers more of the underside of the car. The stock cats are ugly even if they were polished. I had an NR Automotive rear bumper on my 99 996. It hung down about an inch + more than the stock bumper cover. You could barely see the cats.

Just an idea. :lightbulb:

Or you could buy 100 cell cats from Fabspeed that are polished stainless. Thel will give you a bit more HP, a better look, but are quite pricey. :unsure:

:cheers:

I really like the new rear bumper idea. I will investigate NR Automotive (which one did you get?). I have the GT3 body kit (front bumper, side skirts, aero wing and 18" wheels) so maybe there is a GT3 styled rear bumper that is lower too. Thanks for the suggestion.

-Bo

I don't like the way the exhaust shows below the rear bumper on my 2000 C2 Coupe Tip.

I have been considering painting it black or polishing it. Has anyone attempted either or anything else with success?

Good suggestion on the driver school. I'm a new 2000 C2 owner and am looking to get "schooled". There is a track day weekend at Road Atlanta in the spring. You guys think this is a good way to learn or is something else better?

I don't have a Boxster, but I may have a wheel bearing issue with my 2000 996 C2 tip (stock intake and exhaust).

I hear a medium to high pitched drone when in 4th or 5th gear at approx 40mph under very light throttle. If I let off the throttle, the drone goes away. If I speed up some it goes away.

Do you think this is a bearing issue? In any case, Glyn I'd like to get your DIY. I PM'd you my email address.