Hello All, my 74 has factory sidepipes that are tarnished chrome. I have tried regular chrome cleaner with no luck. Does anyone know of a product that may help to restore them without having them rechromed?

Hi,
I assume you mean '69 factory pipes since '74 did not have them optioned. As I understand it, the sidepipe itself is similiar to potmetal and then flash chromed. If chrome polish did not work, you might try to use Naval Jelly. I am not even sure it is still available but I do know it would take rust of Cragar SS wheels. I have factory pipes on my '69 and I make sure I wax them every time that I wax the car. My car lives outside and after almost 3 years, there is no tarnish anywhere on them. Unfortunately, I did get dinged with a rock and a piece of the chrome got chipped off...speaking of which, are you SURE your pipes are tarnished or is the chrome chipped off. If it gets chipped, it looks VERY much like tarnish because you are looking at the potmetal. If chipped, it is off to the re-chroming shop for you.

I read somewhere that even though sidepipes were not an option, they were installed on Vettes up thru 1974 either as a factory special order or a dealer add on. I have been looking for navel jelly. I have some semi-chrome poly, that I use on my Harely that I havent tried yet. Thanks for the suggestions.

I just re-read your original post again. I have seen pitted chrome, discolored chrome and rusted chrome. Not exactly sure what tarnished looks like. If what you are seeing is a dull grey color and slightly rough to the touch, I bet you are looking at the pot metal and no matter how hard you try, it won't shine up cause it is not chrome.
Within the past 6 weeks, I hve seen two complete sets of '69 factory side pipes on e-bay and both went for under $500. They looked to be in very good shape. Either Ecklers or Mid America sells the original covers for $2000 !!

The color is almost like they are burnt. Very little grey. There is still a lot of the chrome there, they are not rough to the touch either. Just discolored. I was hoping to be able to salvage them. I did find one set new for around $600. I didnt think about Ebay. I have a lot of little projects that need done on the Vette, but they all cost a lot of $$$, so I am doing 1 or 2 at a time as I can afford them. It may take me a year or so, but I plan to hand this sweet machine down to my Grandson who will be 4 in June. So I have plenty of time to finish it.

I see by your signature block that you have a picture , unfortunately it is not showing up. If you could post a pic of the discolored area it would be helpful. You say they are discolored. Do you mean they are kind of multi-colored like tempered metal? Dark in the front and lighter with more colors toward the back? You might or might not want to pop off one of the covers to see if you have the insullation installed. It is a good thing you have plenty of time to do the work for your grandson cause if you strip one of those bolts holding the covers on, you may still be trying to get if out when he gets his drivers liscense If you see another NEW set for $600.00 with insullators, PLEASE let me know. They will be a very inexpensive set of spares.

Hey Glenn, I just changed my photo. I dont know if you can tell from the pic, but what you described is wht they look like. So it is really tough to get the bolts out? Well, I just bought a set of torches that would take them out quick along with most of the car. If I find a set of pipes for $600. I will probably be greedy and buy them for myself, but if I locate more than 1 set, I will let you know.

Well, my friend, now that I see a picture of your car I need to say something. You DO NOT have factory side pipes ( for any year ). Now I see why you could not find the problems I was describing. Your pipes appear to be Hookers ( hard to tell ) and the discoloration you see is from heat. The exhaust gasses actually pass through your pipes where it does not on factory side pipes ( factory '69 pipes that is ). The factory '69 pipe is actually a long muffler surrounded by fiberglass insullation and then covered by chrome flashed "pot-metal".
Anyhow, on the bottom of the pipe ( where it can not be seen ) try some WD40 and a scotchbrite pad. I know this works on stainless steel and it might also work for discoloration from heat on chrome. Anyhow, try it where you can not see it first. GOOD LUCK !