[Ave]

As suggested by others here, I have been trying to contact via email the folks at Cargraphics USA to buy a chrome rolled-edge exhaust tip. I received an inital response to my first email in February, saying they were moving to FL and, because of this disruption, they would get back to me after March 1. Multiple emails to them since then have received no response. Are these folks out of business? Anyone have any contacts or phone numbers (in FL) for these guys, or other ideas for vendors of OEM-style chrome tips?

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[Greimann]

Well I don't know anything about Cargraphics, but an alternative to an aftermarket tip is to obtain a '92 to early '94 tip. It has a rolled lip and they polish up just like chrome if you put enough effort into it. They bolt right on too. Could probably find them at dismantlers.

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[bob blackwell]

Tom, I have done what Dave recommends before on my previous 1993 968 Coupe. (total loss in an accident since then) I stopped short of polishing to a chrome-like finish since it looked so good to me just as the clean stainless steel finish. I cleaned the black paint off first with lacquer thinner then used an aggressive polish (dupont rubbing compoound) with a wool pad on my hand drill. It looked great and only took about an hour to complete. Good luck, Bob Blackwell.

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[Ave]

Thanks, guys - I guess I'll try that. I have a stock tip from a '92 that is painted black. I'll try Bob's process. I was hoping just to buy one already chromed (Cargraphics has an OEM one on their website, but they must be out of business, or completely out to lunch). Would be an easy bolt-on. I'll just polish the black on I bought.

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[Greimann]

If you are not up to the polishing job, I'll bet a place that does wheel polishing could do a bang up job for you.

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[Ed Russo]

Hi Tom,

Cargraphics is definitely in bussiness.

I suggest you call Ekik Dreis in Miami , Florida.

Erik is a sales manager for Cargraphics he should be able to answer any questions you may have.

email addy for Erik is erik@cargraphicusa.com.

TEL. # 800-815-3751



Hope this helps. If you still can't reach them let me know. I may have a direct phone number around here someplace.



Ed Russo

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[Ave]

Thanks for the contact info, Ed. If the polishing job doesn't work out to my liking, I will try to get in contact with Erik.

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[968gene]

David is correct, one bolt and the tip is in your hand. I soaked mine in paint remover and then polished it with 600 grit emory cloth lubricated with a very light oil. I then used Meguir's aluminum wheel polish (more of a paste) and hand rubbed it until the cloth didn't turn black any more. The whole process took 2-3 hours. The finish is almost mirror like. Check out the picture of my car in the garage listing.

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[rustech]

Does "968 Engineering" not provide this service?? <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[Etnier]

I have been maintaining my factory chrome tip with Wenol, a German metal polish available online and in various household- and kitchen-supply stores. It's excellent stuff to have around, although I can't think of a single other part on the car it helps with... <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[Greimann]

[quote name='rustech' date='Apr 3 2005, 08:30 PM']Does "968 Engineering" not provide this service??  <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

[right][post="2816"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]

Only as a drive thru service ..... <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[ds968]

Wenol is, IMHO, the holy grail of metal polishes. Great for copper, silver...any precious metals ( watch cases, jewlery ) look unbelievable after cleaning with

this product.

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[Ave]

Today, I polished up the black painted tip that I bought a while back, using the helpful instructions found here. Took a lot of elbow grease, especially using countless coats of Mother's metal polish. At the end (literally), it looks terrific. Gives that chrome-like look, and provides some very noticeable jewelry for the back end of the car. Thanks for the advice. Very worthwhile project.

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[gryphon]

I'm guessing from the fact that my exhaust tip doesn't have rolled edge, that I have the other/newer kind. How different are they in appearance? Should I pursue the rolled-tip style before adding several hours or elbow grease? Does anyone have pics of both styles?

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[Etnier]

Black-finished straight-edge tip

   



OEM chrome rolled tip

   



Cargraphics tip

   

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[gryphon]

Thanks, John. Seemed like it took my eyes longer than usual to focus on the black-finished straught edged tip. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



Tom

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[flash]

what straight edge? i see the black tips ok, but i see nothing but curves

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[apex]

Coincidentally I spent a couple of hours Sunday removing what was left of the black paint on my car's exhaust tip using 600 then 2000 grit sandpaper (didn't have any in-between grades on hand but it didn't seem to matter in the end) then polished it using some P21S Multi-finish polish I had lying around and WOW! what a difference. Like night and day. Highly recommended if you have the early rolled tip.

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[RPM]

Inspired, I was working on mine this evening. First I snapped the bolt trying to get the collar sleeve off. Afer a trip to Home Depot I spent a whole lot of time with acetone and #000 steel wool. Running out of daylight and playtime, I put the newly clean and now stainless, but far from chrome-shiny, tip back on. Does not seem exactly straight. I could not quite get the trick of reconnecting the tip and exhaust pipe exactly flush.



Oh well. I'll get some polish and try again later. Even just cleaned up is an improvement. Thanks for the inspiration.

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[Ave]

Ralph, be sure to get some polish and finish the job - it takes some work with multiple appications, but the end result is worth the effort. From 2 feet away you would swear it was chrome. Great addition to the rear view. As far as aligning the tip, it's just trial and error. Tighten, stand back and look, loosen-adjust-re-tighten, etc...

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