Exposure to oxygen and water can turn a beautiful car into a worthless rust bucket. Rust will ruin the appearance of a vehicle, weaken a vehicle's structural strength and decrease a vehicle's resale value. A vehicle's underside, including the exhaust pipe, is especially prone to rust. Since removing rust is not a pleasant task, it is best to prevent rust before it begins to form. There are certain effective techniques that can prevent rust on an exhaust pipe.
Apply lubricating oil to the cooled exhaust pipe. Use an old rag to rub the oil thoroughly over the entire pipe. Apply the lubricating oil weekly, especially during the winter.
Keep your vehicle parked outside in winter. A warm garage will melt the snow on your vehicle, allowing the salt embedded in the snow to melt and form rust on the exhaust pipe.
Brush any snow off the exhaust pipe with a soft-bristled brush each time it snows. Do not clean off snow with water during freezing weather.
Use a soft cloth to wipe any moisture from rain or snow off of the exhaust pipe. The exhaust pipe should be wiped down daily, to prevent moisture from causing the pipe to rust.
Inspect the exhaust pipe daily for signs of rust. If you spot a bit of rust, lightly sand the rust spots with superfine sandpaper.
Apply some automobile paste wax to an old rag, after sanding off any rust. Rub the rag over the exhaust pipe to thoroughly coat the pipe with the wax. It is essential that you remove even the smallest bit of rust, because rust will spread.
