Author Topic: Rust on stainless downpipes (Read 15346 times)

darrsi · « **on:** 29 June 2013, 02:02:46 pm »

I've got a few rust patches that have formed on my stainless downpipes that i'm finding hard to shift.

I did a bit of Googling and decided to try a combination of Coke, Vinegar, Baking Soda and water and tried scrubbing them with scrunched up tin foil but to be honest it did bugger all.

Anyone got any tricks they can share with me, bearing in mind that the rust spots are in limited spaces?

Mark YPVS · « **Reply #1 on:** 29 June 2013, 06:58:24 pm »

Try wire wool (med/coarse) soaked in 3in1 oil ( wear gloves) , or a small suede brush or a tooth brush and autosol

Mark

Paul · « **Reply #2 on:** 30 June 2013, 07:01:01 am »

Fastest is to use those plastic pan scrubber things.

I can't remember their name but they're often green in colour, and whilst being plastic they're quite abrasive.

Basically put some solvo autosol on and rub like fury.

If you don't want to pay for solvo autosol gets some basic white kitchen cleaner cream from Aldi.

Andy FZS · « **Reply #3 on:** 30 June 2013, 07:41:22 am »

Scotch bright or that's what we call them. And I know someone will claim that is a contradiction in terms. Lol

darrsi · « **Reply #4 on:** 30 June 2013, 12:41:23 pm »

I didn't think of that, i've got a sheet of that green stuff, i'll go and dig it out

JoeRock · « **Reply #5 on:** 30 June 2013, 05:25:06 pm »

Wire wool, getting finer and finer, and ending with a good polish of Autosol

lds1973 · « **Reply #6 on:** 01 July 2013, 10:08:34 am »

I'm using a wire brush attachment to an angle grinder to shift the bad stuff. Only then will I be able to polish them.

darrsi · « **Reply #7 on:** 01 July 2013, 10:22:37 am »

Quote from: lds1973 on 01 July 2013, 10:08:34 am

I'm using a wire brush attachment to an angle grinder to shift the bad stuff. Only then will I be able to polish them.

That all sounds far too aggressive to me, if you start scratching the pipes you could be leaving them open for more rust!

lds1973 · « **Reply #8 on:** 01 July 2013, 11:31:44 am »

Trust me no ammount of polishing will get my rust and tar off. Once its clean and polished the polish will protect it. Its either that or have mancky pipes.

Dead Eye · « **Reply #9 on:** 01 July 2013, 12:45:15 pm »

If you do scratch the metal work, how do you get it back to an almost mirror finish? I spent hours trying to polish my exhaust (can more than the pipes) but I never got it back to a really nice shine and there's still loads of tiny scratch marks

Only thing I can think of is to buy a drill / dremel and some sort of attachment and do it that way...

lds1973 · « **Reply #10 on:** 01 July 2013, 01:01:22 pm »

I'm not looking for a mirror just a rust free looking bike. It is over 12 years old after all.

I'm sure with enough time, elbow grease and equipment a mirror finish could be achieved but that would mean spending less time riding.

elbrownos · « **Reply #11 on:** 01 July 2013, 04:42:15 pm »

Quote from: lds1973 on 01 July 2013, 10:08:34 am

I'm using a wire brush attachment to an angle grinder to shift the bad stuff. Only then will I be able to polish them.

This was a terrible idea. They will rust like hell now.
See point 3 on http://www.bssa.org.uk/topics.php?article=379

cambo · « **Reply #12 on:** 01 July 2013, 05:01:21 pm »

Try Optiglanz, available from Hein Gericke, wear gloves and eye protection. Make sure you don't get it on bodywork or inhale fumes cos its powerful as fuck and rinse away with cold water when you are finished but its great stuff.

dBfazer600 · « **Reply #13 on:** 01 July 2013, 05:01:29 pm »

This is what I have used on painted surfaces but never stainless steel and I do not know how it will affect it. To be honest I would use it as a deterent of it becoming worst.

If you chose to use it empty a little in a separate holder and do not dip the application utensil into original container as this will cause it to react and go off.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_188705_langId_-1_categoryId_165594

Daz

dBfazer600 · « **Reply #14 on:** 01 July 2013, 05:05:21 pm »

I like the look of what cambo has advised


Optiglanz demo on rusty exhaust header

Daz

dBfazer600 · « **Reply #15 on:** 01 July 2013, 05:13:24 pm »

I is going to get me some of this.


Chrome exhaust tips: Remove Blues & Rust Demonstration

http://www.blue-job.co.uk/

Daz

darrsi · « **Reply #16 on:** 01 July 2013, 05:16:33 pm »

I've just remembered i've got some Meguiars Metal Polish somewhere, i never got round to doing anything yesterday, i'll give that a go first and see if it does anything.

lds1973 · « **Reply #17 on:** 01 July 2013, 09:50:28 pm »

Quote from: elbrownos on 01 July 2013, 04:42:15 pm

Quote from: lds1973 on 01 July 2013, 10:08:34 am
I'm using a wire brush attachment to an angle grinder to shift the bad stuff. Only then will I be able to polish them.

This was a terrible idea. They will rust like hell now.
See point 3 on http://www.bssa.org.uk/topics.php?article=379

No its not. Use of a stainless steel wire brush is ok see note 4.

http://www.bssa.org.uk/topics.php?article=77

Stainless doesn't rust its the deposits and contaminates that do, as your reference said.

cambo · « **Reply #18 on:** 04 July 2013, 05:55:24 pm »

Quote from: dBfazer600 on 01 July 2013, 05:05:21 pm

I like the look of what cambo has advised

Daz

I can't believe that guy isnt wearing gloves, that shit burns like feck if you get it on your skin

elbrownos · « **Reply #19 on:** 05 July 2013, 07:42:48 pm »

Quote from: lds1973 on 01 July 2013, 09:50:28 pm

Quote from: elbrownos on 01 July 2013, 04:42:15 pm
Quote from: lds1973 on 01 July 2013, 10:08:34 am
I'm using a wire brush attachment to an angle grinder to shift the bad stuff. Only then will I be able to polish them.

This was a terrible idea. They will rust like hell now.
See point 3 on http://www.bssa.org.uk/topics.php?article=379

No its not. Use of a stainless steel wire brush is ok see note 4.

http://www.bssa.org.uk/topics.php?article=77

Stainless doesn't rust its the deposits and contaminates that do, as your reference said.

Sorry I was assuming you had a mild steel brush.
Ignore that then..

darrsi · « **Reply #20 on:** 05 July 2013, 08:04:49 pm »

Just ordered a bottle of that Optiglanz gear, i'll try and post some before and after photo's when i use it.

Dead Eye · « **Reply #21 on:** 05 July 2013, 08:28:59 pm »

Oooohh, I'll look out for that as it would be good to see. Might end up using it on mine

darrsi · « **Reply #22 on:** 05 July 2013, 09:15:33 pm »

Quote from: Dead Eye on 05 July 2013, 08:28:59 pm

Oooohh, I'll look out for that as it would be good to see. Might end up using it on mine

It's not really cheap, nearly £16 delivered for a 250ml bottle, but i've not heard a bad word about it yet.
Been told you must be careful with paint and plastics though as it's a bit savage.

slimwilly · « **Reply #23 on:** 07 July 2013, 06:53:46 am »

So it would seem your pipes are "chromed" and not "stainless steel" which should not rust, its good getting the rust off but if you go wild you will remove more chrome and expose more steel to go rusty, go careful.

Mine are discoloured, i think i will leave well alone,,but saying that i have wire wooled them.

darrsi · « **Reply #24 on:** 07 July 2013, 08:16:54 am »

Quote from: slimwilly on 07 July 2013, 06:53:46 am

So it would seem your pipes are "chromed" and not "stainless steel" which should not rust, its good getting the rust off but if you go wild you will remove more chrome and expose more steel to go rusty, go careful.

Mine are discoloured, i think i will leave well alone,,but saying that i have wire wooled them.

Stainless steel can definitely get surface rust, i think a combination of heat, water and salt certainly helps things along!