Cleaning header pipes?

[Maha]

Cleaning.....
What is the best material/s to use to bring header pipes back to showroom condition?

[Trudes]

Been so long since I bothered, but pretty sure I used to scrub then with fine steel wool with a little dishwash and water and then give them a rub with very fine grit wet and dry sandpaper and then top it off with a shine of Mothers metal polish.

[Maha]

Been so long since I bothered, but pretty sure I used to scrub then with fine steel wool with a little dishwash and water and then give them a rub with very fine grit wet and dry sandpaper and then top it off with a shine of Mothers metal polish.

What prompted the thread was a pic that Kendog put up a few days ago showing spankin' header pipes.
I want mine like that.....:yes:

What about one of those green pads you may use on pots and pans, not the thick green/yellow one but the cloth type thing.......if you know what I mean?

[Trudes]

I think I know what you're talking about, give it a go. Chuck some Jif on too for a try, I fucking love Jif! :)

[MadDuck]

What about one of those green pads you may use on pots and pans, not the thick green/yellow one but the cloth type thing.......if you know what I mean?

Noooooooo...dont do that. They scour pots that is what they are for. The extremely fine grit sandpaper would be better with extreme care. I have some Mothers polish here if you need some...go figure :innocent:

[Hopeful Bastard]

Let me know if it works.. You can come do mine then :P

[Maha]

Noooooooo...dont do that. They scour pots that is what they are for. The extremely fine grit sandpaper would be better with extreme care. I have some Mothers polish here if you need some...go figure :innocent:

Ok, best learn proper from a female about cleaning I guess....:yes:

So wet n' dry sandpaper like Trudes suggested?

[Hitcher]

Cleaning.....
What is the best material/s to use to bring header pipes back to showroom condition?

I use a Goldilocks and CRC. That combination seems to work a treat.

[Maha]

I use a Goldilocks and CRC. That combination seems to work a treat.

And you floss with #8 wire?

[MadDuck]

I use a Goldilocks .

Hmmm I wouldnt put a Goldilocks anywhere near my bike. But Mom did laugh at me when I said cotton buds in the tougher spots works :shifty:

EDIT: She laughed so she cried!

[Hitcher]

Hmmm I wouldnt put a Goldilocks anywhere near my bike.

They dont scratch metal. If your header pipes are chromed, then Goldilocks are perfect. If your headers are stainless, then Goldilocks are perfect. Don't use them near paint or plastic or coated metals. Otherwise they're perfect. Trust me.

[MadDuck]

Trust me.

If I had a dollar for every time I heard that from a bloke I would be a rich lady :shifty:

[Maha]

If I had a dollar for every time I heard that from a bloke I would be a rich lady :shifty:

Remember this!!

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[MadDuck]

Hell no I am way to young to remember that

[CookMySock]

And you floss with #8 wire?No, fool! You floss with gasless MIG wire... :rolleyes:

Steve

[Trudes]

Use the sandpaper wet (hence the wet-and-dry), the chromeing will come right off, infact, CRC the sandpaper, even more efficient. We never used Goldilocks, but would probably work fine, we always went for the steel wool, can buy it in a big pack in Mitre ten. Sounds like a fun day ahead for you :yawn: ;)

[Kendog]

What prompted the thread was a pic that Kendog put up a few days ago showing spankin' header pipes.
I want mine like that.....:yes:
Exhibit A

The other thing you will need is time :yes:

But it's worth it. Just make sure you get some photos after.

[Maha]

Exhibit A

The other thing you will need is time :yes:

But it's worth it. Just make sure you get some photos after.

Beautiful, just beautiful, I will take before and after shots.

Emery Paper perhaps?

[pc220]

braso and a fine steel wool , polish with a clean rag. mint.

[Maha]

Gave it a go this morning, Braso/Steel Wool/Rags and warm water...
The result is pretty cool, right up the top you cant get rid of the 'blueing' its in the metal right?
Thats all good, they will get another treatment before the next wash, and the gleeming can only get better.

[pc220]

:niceone:those pipes look new now.

[george formby]

What prompted the thread was a pic that Kendog put up a few days ago showing spankin' header pipes.
I want mine like that.....:yes:

What about one of those green pads you may use on pots and pans, not the thick green/yellow one but the cloth type thing.......if you know what I mean?

Scotch scourer! Make sure you use an old, soft, worn out one. New ones are too abrasive. I keep all the old ones for removing baked flys & tar etc.No problems on plastic if your gentle, don't scrub like a maniac though, brings alloy up a treat too. I use an old scourer or bailing twine with solvol autosol on my headers, use bailing twine like dental floss. Make sure the pipes are thoroughly clean before you start the bike or they go black.

[yungatart]

Looking mighty fine, Maha.
If you are still bored, there are three bikes down here.....

[hayd3n]

hymm i wonder it its worth doin on my hoonda

[sinfull]

Gave it a go this morning, Braso/Steel Wool/Rags and warm water...
The result is pretty cool, right up the top you cant get rid of the 'blueing' its in the metal right?
Thats all good, they will get another treatment before the next wash, and the gleeming can only get better. They're stainless aye ?
When ya say give em another treatment, make sure you give them a good going over and have em how ya want em Maha, wipe any fingerprints off, then give the bike a good long hard ride or two in dry clean conditions to gold em up ! Try not to touch them till ya get the nice rich gold colour ya want, or bloody finger prints will stand out like dogs balls !

[nallac]

Just a wee bit more to go Maha then yours can look these.

[davebullet]

Just a wee bit more to go Maha then yours can look these.

Clean enough to eat off. I was thinking of giving silvo a try. Failing that buy me some brasso.

[Maha]

Scotch scourer! Make sure you use an old, soft, worn out one. New ones are too abrasive. I keep all the old ones for removing baked flys & tar etc.No problems on plastic if your gentle, don't scrub like a maniac though, brings alloy up a treat too. I use an old scourer or bailing twine with solvol autosol on my headers, use bailing twine like dental floss. Make sure the pipes are thoroughly clean before you start the bike or they go black.

Bailing twine! what a splended idea.
I did think about using one of Moms toothbrush's but thought better of it.

[Maha]

Just a wee bit more to go Maha then yours can look these.

Easy when you buy new eh?.....:shifty:

[nallac]

Easy when you buy new eh?.....:shifty:


Sure could be,but when its 10 years old?.

Seen this on another forum i visit, very very impressed, looks like chrome but is hand polished ali.