Cleaning stainless.

cliffa

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A discussion sparked up on the '22 photo contest about cleaning stainless exhausts, so not to derail that thread I'm starting a new one. @baz mentioned using a TIG brush, which looks like it gives extremely good results judging by the video's on YouTube. I'm guessing not many folks have access to one of those, so after a bit more searching, I found this:



Harpic is not available where I live so I'm wondering if anybody has other suggestions?

Cheers,

cliffa
 
Just tried it
It works shockingly well I spent all of 10 seconds on it
 

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Here's the ingredients
 

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Keep it between ourselves
I don't want my girlfriend knowing about her toothbrush!!!!
That is nothing short of amazing !! (& you never know, it may whiten teeth too !!) o_O

Thanks for testing it though baz. I just need to find a similar product here.
 
That is nothing short of amazing !! (& you never know, it may whiten teeth too !!) o_O

Thanks for testing it though baz. I just need to find a similar product here.
No worries
I had some in the bathroom and thought I'd give it a go
I need to do the whole exhaust now or its bound to leave a stain next time I start it
I've somehow been tricked into taking the colour off a downpipe!!!!!
Something I'd never do in my wildest dreams
I'll be buying chrome polish next FFS
 
A discussion sparked up on the '22 photo contest about cleaning stainless exhausts, so not to derail that thread I'm starting a new one. @baz mentioned using a TIG brush, which looks like it gives extremely good results judging by the video's on YouTube. I'm guessing not many folks have access to one of those, so after a bit more searching, I found this:



Harpic is not available where I live so I'm wondering if anybody has other suggestions?

Cheers,

cliffa

What's a header pipe?
 
How long is it effective for? When I take a exhaust pipe and polish it out on the buffer, it turns yellow again in short order.
No question though that your method is faster and easier.
 
How long is it effective for? When I take a exhaust pipe and polish it out on the buffer, it turns yellow again in short order.
No question though that your method is faster and easier.
On my BSA it'll be within a few miles
A pointless exercise really
 
I don't mind a uniform colour or blueing, it's just when there are various dark marks it bugs me.
 
That product is based on Hydrochloric acid, and that is what is etching off the discolouration on the oxidized pipes. It is basically a stainless kitchen sink household cleaner. Those typically have a fine abrasive paste and/or bleach to help remove stains.

BTW, please don't entrust your bike work processes tro the guy that made that video...ol' Delboy has some truly awful methods in his video repertoire.
 
The only acid which will dissolve stainless steel is concentrated hydrochloric.
 
That product is based on Hydrochloric acid, and that is what is etching off the discolouration on the oxidized pipes. It is basically a stainless kitchen sink household cleaner. Those typically have a fine abrasive paste and/or bleach to help remove stains.

BTW, please don't entrust your bike work processes tro the guy that made that video...ol' Delboy has some truly awful methods in his video repertoire.
I've never seen him before
What does he do?
 
I don't mind a uniform colour or blueing, it's just when there are various dark marks it bugs me.
I like to tidy up my header collectors on my car , about once a year and use the BOC pickling paste but if you don't want to "white" the polished pipes too much , I just water a little down , and leave it for a while and just hand polish to finish. Definitely the way to go . Also if you do some tig welding , it's good to passifate your welds. And if you want to look like a real heavy smoker this stuff will yellow your finger tips quick time . :)
Cleaning stainless.
 
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