OEM Headers

[Diamond GSer]

Hi folks, I'm wanting to clean my OEM headers and would like to ask if they're made from stainless or chromed mild steel. I know that Harpic is only to be used on stainless and can't be used on chrome and that aluminium powder and a mild acid is the way to go for chrome.
BTW the bike is a 2010 twin cam

Many thanks, Rob.

 

[oldnfat]

Could be either. If you really can't tell BMW will be able to tell you which upgrades the bike had. If stainless then wonderwheels or optiglanz will clean them up a treat.

Cheers

 

[comberjohn]

Mine's a 2010 TC and after seven years and 40k miles, I don't need to ask the question. Mine are the chrome ones and still looking nice and shiny. I think they must be chromed stainless, though. Doubt if mild steel would have lasted as well.
If yours are dull, must be the unchromed stainless. As oldnfat says, plenty of ways to clean them up.

 

[Bendy toy]

Depending how much you care, they could be rechromed.

 

[comberjohn]

Remember from some years ago that chromers won't touch an exhaust that has been used.
Something about the carbon in the pipes contaminates the plating bath.
You could probably pick up an original, chromed set for less on eBay as all the muppets get rid of their standard fronts to get a set of de cat headers.
Even if you go for a set of de cats, keep the originals. You never know what could change with the mot in the future.
Was reading recently that someone on an LC had their bike dyno'd just before installing a set and again, just after.
There was no difference!!
Just saying. Must admit, I thought there would've been.

 

[Santa-2512]

I cleaned mine the harpic way .. couldnt tell you what they were lol

I think SS as my cat / collector box was a nice golden yellow colour and my balance pipe was a nice shiney silver

Anyway i Harpic'd and autosol'd and they look great,

now 3 weeks later going off a bit

I'll get some piccys up later


Mart

 

[Mallard]

If they go a dirty brown colour: they are stainless.
If they go a dirty blue colour: they are chrome.

 

[Diamond GSer]

If they go a dirty brown colour: they are stainless.
If they go a dirty blue colour: they are chrome.

Well judging by the colour of mine it would seem that they're chrome plated.
I'd rather hoped that I could have cleaned them the lazy (Harpic) way but have opted to take the safe route an give em a polish/mop.

Made up my own using a mixture of Aluminium powder, flour to thicken and white vinegar for the acid.
Alas the only way I could get my hands on the aluminium powder was to make it myself by rubbing some billet on a sheet of emery cloth,
whilst this works, i can positively confirm that this method takes a VERY long time to produce even the smallest usable quantity.
On the plus side I now have one arm like Popeye

Common sense screams 'Just buy some polish!!' but the Yorkshireman in me is having none of it

 

[Bendy toy]

Remember from some years ago that chromers won't touch an exhaust that has been used.
Something about the carbon in the pipes contaminates the plating bath.

I heard that as well but a platers that always exhibits at Stafford Classic Bike Show told me it's rubbish. He said all old plating has to be stripped away in an acid pickling tank. That cleans out the pipes even 2 strokes. He said don't worry about your carbon welded in baffles the picking process will soon shift them.

I need to get my Kettle's pipes done and now can't find the bloke's card.