Polishing header pipes

[Seventies]

Guys,
The header pipes on my RT are quite corroded directly behind the front wheel. I assumed that the pipes were stainless, but maybe not. Can anyone tell me the best method to get back to the original shine without resorting to electroplating? I'd like to think that I could wire brush the worst off then polish with a mop (if they are stainless). All help appreciated.
Cheers
Col

 

[MikeP]

They are stainless and you can get them back to like new but there are no short cuts, just lots of elbow grease and patience.

If you are going to use a wire brush, use brass bristled ones, they're not as aggressive. Some light oil will help avoid scoring the surface too much and then you can use fine grade wet & dry to remove any marks, followed by metal polish of your choice.

Some what I have done over the years:

1150GSA

R80/7

K1

They don't stay like it but they don't take much to keep like it if you don't leave it too long between polishing.

 

[Giles]

Autosol and a bit of green kitchen scouring material stuff.

 

[GADGET]

Wonder wheels is a good starter

 

[Giles]

Wonder wheels is a good starter

(but it will bugger yer plastics if you get it anywhere near them ... )

 

[ghiribizzo]

Hang on... some pipes are chrome plated stainless though.

 

[Losttheplot]

As mentioned, don't use a "ferrous" brush on stainless.

I bought a polishing kit from screwfix (about £25 IIRC) for the bench grinder, and it makes life so much easier when i rennovated the headers on my GSA.

I took the worst off with a wire brush, and then used the rough and fine polishing wheels. just be careful- polishing can get addictive

 

[jonnie comet]

Autosol and a bit of green kitchen scouring material stuff.

Agreed .....It's graft jobby, but it will definitely give your 'bike the edge if you're selling....

 

[Malcvtr]

Just start believing that brown is good

 

[Seventies]

Cheers lads,
Some good tips there. Good point about the brass brush as well, I hadn't thought about that.
MikeP, cracking jobs you carried out ever, never did I imagine that mine might be got back to that level.
Can't see me learning to live with the brown though

 

[Farmer Palmer]

Autosol and a bit of green kitchen scouring material stuff.

That's what i use on my GSA exhaust.................!

FP.

 

[Timolgra]

Life's just far too short

 

[MikeO]

They are stainless and you can get them back to like new but there are no short cuts, just lots of elbow grease and patience.

If you are going to use a wire brush, use brass bristled ones, they're not as aggressive. Some light oil will help avoid scoring the surface too much and then you can use fine grade wet & dry to remove any marks, followed by metal polish of your choice.

Some what I have done over the years:

1150GSA

R80/7

K1

They don't stay like it but they don't take much to keep like it if you don't leave it too long between polishing.

For goodness sake see someone Mike...

Mike