Chrome exhaust pipes are bright and shiny, and they add just the right pop to any truck, car, or motorcycle...until they get grimy and dull. You need to know how to clean chrome exhaust pipes, both along the pipes and at the tips, because they're going to get dirty all the time.
There is more than one way to clean chrome exhaust pipes and tips. You might need to use a few different methods for particularly grimy spots.

1. Prep

Make sure your vehicle has not been driven in a while so that the exhaust is not hot. Also, park the car outside so you have plenty of ventilation and fresh air.
Do not do this inside an enclosed garage. You want plenty of ventilation so that you aren’t breathing in chemical fumes.
Before you begin, put on some gloves to protect your skin and nails from chemicals and grease. Fill up a bucket with warm water and a few drops of liquid soap.
Pre-wash the chrome using a soft microfiber cloth and the soap solution. Dampen the cloth with the soapy water and wipe it over the chrome to remove debris, dust, and loose grime.

2. Scrub

Use a round, soft-bristled brush to clean the inside of the exhaust. Dip it into the soapy mixture and rub it all around the inner edges of the pipe.
A dedicated exhaust cleaning brush works perfectly for this task, but any round brush will do.

3. Apply Degreaser

Use a soft-bristled brush to apply degreaser all around the tip and along as much of the pipe that is exposed inside and out. This is one of the most effective methods if you're wondering how to clean the exhaust pipe inside.
Rinse the degreaser off with plain water and dry it gently with a towel. Degreaser works very well to remove gunk and junk from the exhaust pipe inside and at the tips.

4. Stubborn Dirt

For stubborn dirt that won't go away, spritz some WD-40 directly onto a clean microfiber cloth. Rub it liberally all over the stubborn area.
Use a stiff-bristled brush to remove the built-on grime. Wipe off the WD-40 with a clean, damp cloth.
You can also soak a clean cloth in vinegar and liberally wipe this all over the grimy area of the exhaust. Try spraying vinegar directly onto the spot and let it sit for a few minutes if the grime doesn't come off right away.
These methods work well for cleaning chrome exhaust tips that have a lot of stubborn dirt.

5. Apply Polish

Put some metal polish or exhaust cleaner on a piece of steel wool. Apply this to the chrome with gentle, small circular motions.
The steel wool and polish will help to buff out scratches and remove any residue or buildup on the pipe that dulls the shine.
Use ultra-fine steel wool that is rated 0000. You also want to work it in the pipes and all around the tips quite thoroughly, and you can be a bit aggressive if needed to remove caked-on gunk.
Spend at least several minutes working the polish into the chrome with the steel wool before you rinse it off with plain water. The steel wool is an effective chrome exhaust tip cleaner.

6. Shine It Up

This will buff out any remaining small scratches and really make the chrome pop.
Chrome polish is formulated to give chrome metal a bright, mirror shine. This polish will remove any streaks and give the chrome a nice, bright finish.
Use a second cloth to remove excess polish and create a nice, uniform finish. Don't touch or disturb the chrome for at least a few minutes as the polish finishes drying.

7. Finishing Touches

Let the exhaust pipe dry completely before you add any protectants to the chrome, such as wax or chrome sealant. You don't want any remaining chemicals or moisture on the chrome before you apply a sealant.