Tarnished headers!

[scoobiemandan]

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?

[teecee90]

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.

[scoobiemandan]

Thanks fella, agonising pain it is then 

[bludclot]

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.

[scoobiemandan]

Thanks for your input blud 

[MMCMME]

Harpic Max then a quick polish up 

[Dudeofrude]

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....

[scoobiemandan]

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....

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

Harpic Max then a quick polish up 

Really?

[MMCMME]

Yes really. Works a treat!

http://burtonbiker.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/clean-those-pipes-with-harpic.html

[samsfazer]

Thirded on the harpic or wonder wheels.  Oven cleaner works as well.

[ogri48]

I scotchbrite mine every second week or so, use the bike almost daily

[scoobiemandan]

Thanks people

[celticdog]

Harpic wow! That's what I've been missing all this time. Top Tip 

[scoobiemandan]

Harpic wow! That's what I've been missing all this time. Top Tip 

Indeed

[MMCMME]

Works a treat. Smells lovely when you stop at the lights too 

[mick chiz]

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