Polishing exhaust.

Not sure what type of Chemical the previous owner drove through, but it left stains on the exhaust. For a quick and somewhat easy polishing, I used a Die Grinder with 2" Roblox wool pads. For the hard to get to areas I used a Dremel with wool wheels. For compound I used the Dark Brown to cut the stains, then Green to buff to a high luster. Hope this helps anyone with a similar problem.[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

make it easier for yourself...take AUTOSOL Metal Polish and massage it in with a soft sponge;
then polish with a woollen cloth: like new.

Tried it, as well as several others. They didn't make a dent in the stains. Took about 45 minutes to do both sides with the die Grinder and Dremel. Just a little tricky getting into the tight area.

I have had similar discoloration on all my Grisos. I take some 220 wet and dry and soak it in WD-40. This takes it down to a satin finish very quickly. Follow with your favorite metal polish to get the shine back.[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

When I got my Griiso the same ugly discoloration was present.
When I did the roller conversion I polished the pipes but on running the discoloration came back.

I'd stepped in the original muffler 19mm and painted it satin black when I got the bike as I like the sound but I wanted to tone down the look.

After the discoloration returned I had the headers ceramic coated black.
It's not degraded in 18 months and wasn't expensive.

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The tappet covers have been polished since this photo and look heaps better for it.

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All of you average results, take the headers off, kill two birds with one stone as the header nuts are normally rusted bad on the inside. Also gets new gaskets out of it. Take it to a polisher and get superior results. Then fit brass domed nuts that never rust or gall and match that glorious gold colour the header pipes go.

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Got Pretzel/link pipe polished same time.
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Why would you take a gorgeous stainless system and paint it black ...each to their own

People think I have a brand new system fitted, I did find that the scarring popped back thru the finish like spikes, a soft copper brush rubbed violently will remove them without damaging the finish.

Holger wrote:

make it easier for yourself...take AUTOSOL Metal Polish and massage it in with a soft sponge;
then polish with a woollen cloth: like new.

I found a supplier and bought it from Germany and had sent to US. I used to use semichrome metal polish but AUTOSOl is pretty dang amazing stuff. Very little effort and it takes off oil stains and everything else. So easy to use and works perfect.

I wonder if different grades of stainless steel were used by the factory. Mine discoloured and mottled no matter how well polished when the bike was used.

The header pipes cannot be painted successfully. Ceramic coating baked on is the only coating that will work at the exhaust temperatures. The muffler though can be painted with high temperature paint.

The systems that retain the polished look are impressive unfortunately the ones that don't look pretty sad.

I haven't polished my exhaust in a while, but when I do, I use Rejex metal polish and a foam polishing cone. My Dad used it on all his chrome and aluminium on his Gold Wiing. If it meets a Wingers expectations, it can't be bad.

Can get the pipes back to a bright chrome like shine that lasts a month or so. But eventually they turn gold. Then yucky.

I put Autosol polish on my headers, and then double-wrap the header with an old canvas belt. pull on each end one at a time to feed the belt through while polishing!