Stainless Downpipes

[grasmith0149]

I just brought a 2010 GS with 6000 miles on the clock, I don't think the downpipes were ever cleaned. can anyone tell me the best way to get them back to the way there supposed to be ? I don't want too use something on them and damage the surface. Cheers, Graham

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Brillo pad and solvol autosol or any other metal polish and a bit of sweat

 

[Pukmeister]

Hein Gericke sells a product for use on stainless exhausts (NOT chrome plated ones) called Optiglanz. It eats through the brown coating on stainless headers.

It's very effective, but also lethal on any other surface but stainless. Use with caution, mask off the engine etc and be ready with a bucket of soapy water to wash off any spillages within seconds.

 

[gsman1]

Clean stainless Pipes

Wonderwheel alloy wheel cleaner leave few minutes then rinse off and clean with autosol then start up will turn nice golden colour

 

[Giles]

I cut a length of stockinett, wrap it round the headers pipes twice, autosol, and then pull each end back and forth like i'm on acid and milking a cow . (clear as mud?!!). (Not too anal about my own bike but try and keep the job RT's looking tip top..)

One of the guys at work used the HG stuff and got it on the front mudguard. He's taken all the top surface off....!! As Pukmeister says, treat with extreme caution.

 

[Kremmen]

Moto Guzzi use one of the lowest grade S/Steel known to man....just showing then a damp environment & they tarnish..... found this polish on the American MG owners site & i have to say is the dogs....

Purple Polish does it for me

 

[grasmith0149]

Cheers gents, will have a go tomorrow, see how i get on, Graham

 

[Beemerman59]

Fine grade wet & dry with WD40

 

[PanzerPilot]

Hmmmm,
I used very fine wire wool with Solvol Autosol on my old F650GS Dakar header pipe, then followed with Autosol on it's own with soft cloth, requires a bit of work but brought it up like a new one
Rich

 

[claw]

Moto Guzzi use one of the lowest grade S/Steel known to man....just showing then a damp environment & they tarnish..... found this polish on the American MG owners site & i have to say is the dogs....

Purple Polish does it for me

Is there a UK importer

Can't find it for sale in the UK to try

 

[snerkler]

Sorry to hijack this thread but what's the best way to clean chrome plated headers?

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

Wonderwheel alloy wheel cleaner leave few minutes then rinse off and clean with autosol then start up will turn nice golden colour

It's very good stuff

 

[Michael R1150GS Adventure]

my bike headers have what can only be described as RUST on the lower sections just before they connect to the cat. The horizontal runs...
Not liek normal corrosion, just very dark and rough wont polish off at all.
Weird.
Time for the brass brush and wet n dry??????

 

[Beemerman59]

my bike headers have what can only be described as RUST on the lower sections just before they connect to the cat. The horizontal runs...
Not liek normal corrosion, just very dark and rough wont polish off at all.
Weird.
Time for the brass brush and wet n dry??????

sounds much like mine were after 4 months winter use and no cleaning. The ACF50 looked after the rest of the bike but the headers were really bad and normal polish (autosol) wouldn't touch it. I tried steel wool as well which was OK but found wet & dry with WD40 (80 or 40 grit I can't remember) worked really well and had them gleaming like new with a bit of elbow grease.

 

[(RIP) Miff]

Oven pride cleaner. Works a treat

 

[Rasher]

I(Not too anal about my own bike but try and keep the job RT's looking tip top..)

I am surprised you have to do this yourself, I would gladly assist with cleaning an officers bike - if he were to be a bit carelsss with some evidence!

 

[Kremmen]

Claw,
There is indeed a UK importer for Purple Polish... I'll did it out of the garage tomorrow & post it

Regards

 

[Giles]

I am surprised you have to do this yourself, I would gladly assist with cleaning an officers bike - if he were to be a bit carelsss with some evidence!

Well Rasher, you'll be delighted to hear my final drive started leaking oil today !! 26,000 miles on the clock.

 

[Michael R1150GS Adventure]

anybody else used 80 grade wet and dry with WD40 to start cleaning the rusty NOT DISCOLOURED exhausts pipes?

I am looking to remove the corrosion and get back to a smooth shiny surface, I dont care about whether its tarnished or not

 

[Beemerman59]

anybody else used 80 grade wet and dry with WD40 to start cleaning the rusty NOT DISCOLOURED exhausts pipes?

I am looking to remove the corrosion and get back to a smooth shiny surface, I dont care about whether its tarnished or not

yes - worked for me, then finished it off with autosol.