Formentor VZ1 Rusting Exhaust Tips

[Stevo200]

Hi Guys.
Just bought a 2022 model VZ1 Formentor and have noticed that the exhaust tips are rusted. Car is just over a year old and done 6100 miles. Dealer said it was cosmetic and would not touch them but has anyone else had this issue and if so, how did they fix.

 

[Cvpra]

Any pics?

 

[Stevo200]

See below.

 

[oldgitdave]

Looks like they've never been polished! I assume they're probably spot welded to the exhaust which makes them more difficult to replace. If that's the case then get some Autosol Metal Polish paste and give them a good going over. Quite a bit of elbow grease needed but they will look great once done.

 

[Stevo200]

Yeah - they are welded so cannot remove. Have tried to contact Cupra to see if it is a warranty claim but as they do not have me as the owner of the car yet so they cannot help Think I will give the metal polish a go and see how they come up. Really appreciate the reply

 

[SRGTD]

Looks like they've never been polished! I assume they're probably spot welded to the exhaust which makes them more difficult replace. If that's the case then get some Autosol Metal Polish paste and give them a good going over. Quite a bit of elbow grease needed but they will look great once done.

Agree. Cleaning the exhaust tips on my car is part of my regular (usually every 10-14 days) car washing process and they still look factory fresh on my 3 year old car. I also clean inside the ends of the exhaust tips on my car!

+1 for Solvol Autosol. It’s very good at removing oxidation, corrosion and stains from exhaust tips and is pretty inexpensive (I’ve seen it advertised for around £5 or less on some websites). Assuming it’ll work - it should certainly improve the current appearance - protect the cleaned tips with a couple of layers of good car wax or sealant and ensure they are frequently washed and dried and wax / sealant is reapplied regularly to prevent further grime and dirt build up in future.

 

[oldgitdave]

Yeah - they are welded so cannot remove. Have tried to contact Cupra to see if it is a warranty claim but as they do not have me as the owner of the car yet so they cannot help Think I will give the metal polish a go and see how they come up. Really appreciate the reply

It's good stuff tbh, just as @SRGTD says. I've used it regularly for years on various exhaust tips (and chrome bumpers back in the day).

The dealers response is poor, they'd sort scratches to alloys wouldn't they and that's cosmetic! They really should, at the very least polish the exhaust tips up! I think they'll come up really well.

 

[Wrighton]

I’d be careful about polishing as they’re meant to be matte black.
It looks like a form of chemical black coating/passivation on the tips, I’d wait to hear back from Cupra as to the best method of cleaning them up.

Are you near the sea? Could be saltwater corrosion.

 

[oldgitdave]

I’d be careful about polishing as they’re meant to be matte black.
It looks like a form of chemical black coating/passivation on the tips, I’d wait to hear back from Cupra as to the best method of cleaning them up.

Are you near the sea? Could be saltwater corrosion.

Really? They look like chrome in the pics?
Can't say I've ever looked that closely on a VZ1. Mine a hybrid so doesn't have any exhaust tips.

 

[Wrighton]

Really? They look like chrome in the pics?
Can't say I've ever looked that closely on a VZ1. Mine a hybrid so doesn't have any exhaust tips.

Pretty certain they’re not chrome. Here’s a pic from mine, nearly new.

 

[Delanor]

If stainless steel they would be silver and shouldn`t rust or failing that they would be mild steel which would be chromed or probably powder coated black which they are and eventually they will rust if the coating is thin.

 

[oldgitdave]

Well, if they are painted black then there's even more reason for the dealer to strip them and re-coat them imho. A used vehicle of that age should be near immaculate prior to resale.

 

[JP6]

You can’t use Autosol on the matte black Formentor exhausts

Those need Cupra to look at replacing tbh.

 

[SRGTD]

You can’t use Autosol on the matte black Formentor exhausts

Those need Cupra to look at replacing tbh.

Agree, but not owning a Formentor and with the OP’s exhaust tips being extremely dirty due to neglect of the previous owner it’s difficult to tell from the pictures what the finish is. I’ve seen dirty chrome exhaust tips that look very similar - like the ones in the picture below (yes, they are chrome under the dirt and it’s not my car).

Anyway, back to the OP’s corroded exhaust tips; if referred to Cupra, they may well say the corrosion is due to neglect of the previous owner rather than being due to a warrantable defect.

IMHO it shows the importance when washing a car not to overlook exhaust tips, painted brake calipers, alloy wheel barrels, and ‘hidden’ areas such as car door shuts, underside edges of bonnet and tailgate, edges of doors behind rubber sealing strips, behind fuel filler flap etc. as the accumulation of dirt can hide a multitude of potential issues.