Date: 20-04-24  Time: 01:54 am
« previous next »
Pages: [1]

Author Topic: Tarnished headers!  (Read 2615 times)

scoobiemandan

  • Weekend Warrior
  • ***
  • Posts: 131
    • Main bike:
      FZS 1000 Gen1
    • View Profile
Tarnished headers!
« on: 05 March 2017, 10:48:45 am »
What do people use to clean them up?  I'm after something that hopefully doesn't include hours of arm ache as my fibromyalgia won't allow for that :(  Any magic potions out there?
Logged

teecee90

  • Weekend Warrior
  • ***
  • Posts: 237
    • Main bike:
      FZS 1000 Gen1
    • View Profile
Re: Tarnished headers!
« Reply #1 on: 05 March 2017, 11:58:28 am »
Autosol and elbow grease I'm afraid....I use a couple of old socks, one for polishing and the other for buffing. Just wrap them fully round the pipes and use a use a push/pull motion.


You could get a polishing mop for a drill or a dremel to reduce the amount of elbow grease required, but probably won't be able to get round the full circumference of the pipes that way.
Logged
FZS 1000 Gen1 (2003)
Tiger 900 GT Pro (2020)

scoobiemandan

  • Weekend Warrior
  • ***
  • Posts: 131
    • Main bike:
      FZS 1000 Gen1
    • View Profile
Re: Tarnished headers!
« Reply #2 on: 05 March 2017, 01:15:09 pm »
Thanks fella, agonising pain it is then  :rollin
Logged

bludclot

  • WSB Pack Hound
  • *****
  • Posts: 539
    • Main bike:
      FZS 1000 Gen1
    • View Profile
Re: Tarnished headers!
« Reply #3 on: 05 March 2017, 03:14:45 pm »


They are stainless so pretty much any cleaner does the job. Tar spots are fairly difficult to remove as well as tarnishing - try a paper towel soaked with de-greaser left on for a few minutes followed by a scourer and Meguiars metal polish - this removes most staining for least effort.


As posted previously, polishing wheels are the only way to bring the factory fresh shine back without wearing out hands and wrists. This means exhaust removal from the bike in order to achieve decent results.
Logged
is it clean enough?

scoobiemandan

  • Weekend Warrior
  • ***
  • Posts: 131
    • Main bike:
      FZS 1000 Gen1
    • View Profile
Re: Tarnished headers!
« Reply #4 on: 05 March 2017, 03:31:39 pm »
Thanks for your input blud  :thumbup
Logged

MMCMME

  • DAS Born Again
  • **
  • Posts: 59
    • Main bike:
      FZ6 04-06
    • View Profile
Re: Tarnished headers!
« Reply #5 on: 05 March 2017, 03:41:50 pm »
Harpic Max then a quick polish up  :)
Logged

Dudeofrude

  • GP Hero
  • ******
  • Posts: 2,345
  • Rude, Crude and Tattooed
    • Main bike:
      FZ1 Naked Gen2
    • View Profile
Re: Tarnished headers!
« Reply #6 on: 05 March 2017, 04:01:36 pm »
https://www.amazon.co.uk/OptiGlanz-Stainless-Cleaner-Removes-Exhaust/dp/B007ZO52E8

That stuff gets rid of the tarnish without any elbow grease required
as seen here....

https://youtu.be/gqaVAU1HPw4
Logged

scoobiemandan

  • Weekend Warrior
  • ***
  • Posts: 131
    • Main bike:
      FZS 1000 Gen1
    • View Profile
Re: Tarnished headers!
« Reply #7 on: 05 March 2017, 05:21:18 pm »
Quote from: Dudeofrude on 05 March 2017, 04:01:36 pm
https://www.amazon.co.uk/OptiGlanz-Stainless-Cleaner-Removes-Exhaust/dp/B007ZO52E8

That stuff gets rid of the tarnish without any elbow grease required
as seen here....

https://youtu.be/gqaVAU1HPw4


Ah, that's the stuff.  I'll look into this then ;)

Quote from: MMCMME on 05 March 2017, 03:41:50 pm
Harpic Max then a quick polish up  :)

Really?
Logged

MMCMME

  • DAS Born Again
  • **
  • Posts: 59
    • Main bike:
      FZ6 04-06
    • View Profile
Re: Tarnished headers!
« Reply #8 on: 05 March 2017, 05:49:05 pm »
Logged

samsfazer

  • CBT Wobbler
  • *
  • Posts: 28
    • Main bike:
      I don't own a bike
    • View Profile
Re: Tarnished headers!
« Reply #9 on: 05 March 2017, 09:55:46 pm »
Thirded on the harpic or wonder wheels.  Oven cleaner works as well.
Logged

ogri48

  • GP Hero
  • ******
  • Posts: 1,899
    • Main bike:
      FZS 1000 Gen1
    • - XJR1300 , evo fatty
    • View Profile
Re: Tarnished headers!
« Reply #10 on: 05 March 2017, 11:34:49 pm »
I scotchbrite mine every second week or so, use the bike almost daily
Logged

scoobiemandan

  • Weekend Warrior
  • ***
  • Posts: 131
    • Main bike:
      FZS 1000 Gen1
    • View Profile
Re: Tarnished headers!
« Reply #11 on: 06 March 2017, 08:30:20 am »
Thanks people :)
Logged

celticdog

  • GP Hero
  • ******
  • Posts: 1,705
    • Main bike:
      FZS600 98-99
    • View Profile
Re: Tarnished headers!
« Reply #12 on: 06 March 2017, 08:32:45 pm »
Harpic wow! That's what I've been missing all this time. Top Tip  :thumbup
Logged
Treat everything in life the way a dog would- if you can't eat it or foc it, forget it.

scoobiemandan

  • Weekend Warrior
  • ***
  • Posts: 131
    • Main bike:
      FZS 1000 Gen1
    • View Profile
Re: Tarnished headers!
« Reply #13 on: 07 March 2017, 08:58:39 am »
Quote from: celticdog on 06 March 2017, 08:32:45 pm
Harpic wow! That's what I've been missing all this time. Top Tip  :thumbup

Indeed :)
Logged

MMCMME

  • DAS Born Again
  • **
  • Posts: 59
    • Main bike:
      FZ6 04-06
    • View Profile
Re: Tarnished headers!
« Reply #14 on: 07 March 2017, 06:28:19 pm »
Works a treat. Smells lovely when you stop at the lights too  :lol
Logged

mick chiz

  • CBT Wobbler
  • *
  • Posts: 25
    • Main bike:
      Other
    • View Profile
Re: Tarnished headers!
« Reply #15 on: 08 March 2017, 11:22:36 am »
ive never tried the bleach trick,but i'm going to,normally i use fine wire wool with t-cut metal polish 1st then polishing tube/cloth with t-cut metal polish on to buff the exhaust up. it normally takes an hour,but it lasts a full season,4000/5000 mile
i buy the stuff from asda,but i'm guessing all supermarkets will have a motoring isle
Logged
Pages: [1]
« previous next »