Cleaning exhaust headers

Grignapoco Posts : 127 Join date : 2013-05-29

Tolle09 wrote:: Imho exhaust wrap looks crap, I've heard of pipes cracking with the extra heat build up. Can't understand why peeps do it, unless you've had a spill and dented one.Ceramic coating is durable so long as a reputable firm does it.

I tend to agree - wrapped pipes, to me, say "rat bike" - they detract from the classy look of the GRiSO. Steak should chime in here - his first GRiSO had matte gray ceramic coated headers, and it looked sweet against the silver frame of his black 1100. I don't mind a bit of bluing or bronzing.

And I'm surprised and amazed at how well those rusty pipes on the Tenni turned out after the buffing. Wow!

GRiSO Capo Posts : 234 Join date : 2016-02-17 Age : 61

You can do all of that work or you can tape some plastic bags around the engine for masking, spray the pipes with Optiglanz, wait 5 minutes then wash it off.

You might have to buff a little with some wax or WD50 after your done but that's about it.

GRiSO Capo Posts : 1738 Join date : 2014-07-03

Dilliw wrote:: You can do all of that work or you can tape some plastic bags around the engine for masking, spray the pipes with Optiglanz, wait 5 minutes then wash it off.

You might have to buff a little with some wax or WD50 after your done but that's about it.

George, how long do you recommend that one warm up the engine before putting on the plastic bags?

jocolor

Buon Natale.

Bill

GRiSO Capo Posts : 234 Join date : 2016-02-17 Age : 61

Bill Hagan wrote:

Dilliw wrote:: You can do all of that work or you can tape some plastic bags around the engine for masking, spray the pipes with Optiglanz, wait 5 minutes then wash it off.

You might have to buff a little with some wax or WD50 after your done but that's about it.

George, how long do you recommend that one warm up the engine before putting on the plastic bags?

jocolor

Buon Natale.

Bill

No warming required Bill as the stuff (Optiglanz) is the bomb. And sorry it was WD40 or ACF-50 I was talking about. I sort of combined them I guess.

Biondino Posts : 244 Join date : 2016-09-28 Age : 64

After using Optiglanz you should also use Autosol Antiblau for a finish with great results. Awesome, I swear!

GRiSO Capo Posts : 1470 Join date : 2016-01-25 Age : 69

I found that 2500 wet and dry using light oil as lubricant then a quick buff with a mop in an electric drill brings the pipes up really nicely.

Not a big job so may do it at every service now.

GRiSO Capo Posts : 826 Join date : 2014-10-07 Age : 70

Dilliw wrote:

Bill Hagan wrote:

Dilliw wrote:: You can do all of that work or you can tape some plastic bags around the engine for masking, spray the pipes with Optiglanz, wait 5 minutes then wash it off.

You might have to buff a little with some wax or WD50 after your done but that's about it.

George, how long do you recommend that one warm up the engine before putting on the plastic bags?

jocolor

Buon Natale.

Bill

No warming required Bill as the stuff (Optiglanz) is the bomb. And sorry it was WD40 or ACF-50 I was talking about. I sort of combined them I guess.

Optiglanz is brilliant stuff.

Don Abbondio Posts : 143 Join date : 2014-08-26

Grisonut wrote:: I just used 1200 grit sand paper with water going in the direction of the pipe, it gives it a satin look.
You have to repeat the process every few months or so but it's a 10 minutes job.

That's what I did too. Love the satin look and the duration of the result

Tanabuso Posts : 93 Join date : 2019-03-17 Age : 52

I like the bronze look myself. After a while the stain where my jacket sleeve feel onto the hot header starts to look like crap. When that happens I dig out the polishing cone, chuck it up in my cordless drill and grab the bottle of REJEX metal polish. Dad's a Gold Winger so he knows all the tricks to keep the metal shiney. Takes bout half an hour per pipe. Looks good for a month slowly darkening up til I'm either bored or sick of looking at it, then it starts all over again.

Grignapoco Posts : 153 Join date : 2020-08-22 Age : 72

Hello,

I have 20,000 km on my GRiSO.
I polish the exhaust manifolds with Autosol when I wash them.
They look like new. Like in my avatar picture.

If there is blue discolouration: Autosol 01 D01290 Anti Blue

Greetings
Holger

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Don Abbondio Posts : 6086 Join date : 2014-03-13 Age : 69

A cheap solution is to rub the headers with scrunched up aluminium foil and white vinegar (I cannot vouch for aluminum as I have not tried it). The finish is reasonable good, though does require some "elbow grease".

Also, white scotchbrite gives it a good finish, without scratching. Green scratches and other colours get more and more scratchy.

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