Plastic melted onto exhaust pipe. . .

[flurb]

While I was driving along the interstate the other day, a plastic trash bag blew under my car and melted onto my exhaust pipe. I've managed to get most of it off with a putty knife, but there's still a lot of residue baked onto the pipe and now my car smells like burning plastic whenever I drive. Any ideas on how to get the rest of it off?

Thanks!

[danceswithcats]

Perhaps a short run time to soften the residue such that it can be scraped off? A wire wheel in the end of a drill could also be helpful, but wear eye protection. Or, you could decide to go visit a friend two states away and let it burn off.

[Polycarp]

If you know the folks at your local muffler shop well (i.e., have done business with them for several years, are casually acquainted with the manager socially, etc.), you might have them remove it with a torch. I'd guess it would be a minimal charge -- $10 or $20 -- or they might do it free as a "loss leader" to get or keep your business as a regular customer.

[David Simmons]

If you don't mind the smell it should all disappear after a while.