Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Exhaust Exhaust Cleaning

Hi all,

I know its not the most technical of discussions but I'm looking for some advice nontheless on exhaust cleaning, polishing, degreasing etc and wondered if anyone can help

I have an array of chrome polishers, chrome trim polish, metal degrease and scratch remover products etc but there are still some things that I can't remove fro mthe exhausts, and it's a wierd kind of brown clumpy substance (not the kind of dry rust that a good scrub will get on, this stuff is pretty much burnt on)

anyone ever had this or something similar and any tips on how to remove it? as a point of interest when the exhaust is hot (after about 15-20 mins riding) this brown stuff starts to soften and loosen itself to the point where i managed to scrape a lot off yesterday by using a screwdriver with a thich rag over the end to stop it scratching the chrome, but i just wondered if there's an easier way of banishing the remains

As a side note if anyone wants to list various products for cleaning chrome, metal, performance exhausts feel free to list that here.

I normally use just standard chrome trim polish that you can find for cars in just about any garage or car dealer. Recently I've used a product called Autosol and it is a diamond product. I managed to clean areas on the bike i didn't even know were dirty, and I found chrome pieces that I didn't realise were chrome until this stuff ate through the dirt, rust and general road crap built up on it

G'day Buddy and wellcome tothe Forum
sorry i carn't help you with the gunk on your headers someone else will be able to help you out with that once the lazy buggers get outta bed lol
as for the Autosol do not repeat do not use it on our Triunph Chrome its to harsh a polish use it on alloy sure it works a treat,on the Chrome no it'll scratch the crap outta it
i found that out the hard way
Benny

yeah i noticed that on certain other applications that my friends and I test products on in the shed and garage, although autosol do manufacture shed loads of different cleaners and polishes for different circumstances so maybe we'll get a selection at some point and see how it goes on different products

for sure though it's definitely NOT touching the chrome plating on the bike hehe - i use tried and tested products on that only. things like the dash and "carb" covers and other trim

I used it purely to get rid of extrememly heavily soiled areas, generally these bits of metal were black and then shone through as stainless steel - note to self, clean the bike more regularly lol

Quote:

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I found chrome pieces that I didn't realise were chrome until this stuff ate through the dirt, rust and general road crap built up on it

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WTF? As for the brown clumpy stuff... could it be that it is tar coming up from the roads? Try paint thinner/solvent/mineral spirits to dissolve it.

Always wondered about that word 'dis-solve.'

Try warming the part and then using a bit of spray on non-abrasive oven cleaner, here in the US a brand called Easy Off does the job. Just spray it on and let it cool and it dissolves the crud deposits without too much fuss. Works on baked on crud, not rust.

A very good cleaning/light polishing product is NVER DULL. It comes in a little blue canister. Pretty good cleaner.

For polishing, I use brasso. It really gets the nice "blue tones" out of the chrome.

Both products are 100% safe on chrome.

cleaning

If its the same gunky stuff that I get on mine behind the front pegs but too far away to be melted boot, then I don't know what it is but it comes off easy with a bit of hot water
My pipes were cold when I did it about an hour ago
Comes off surprisingly easy

brown clumpy stuff that loosens with heat...

sounds like a plastic bag may have flown your way, I've had it happen before...

I'm handy with a razor blade, so off it came

ah razor - might have to give that a try too

i'm just a bit worried as i don't want to scratch up the downpipe too much

you'll be surprised how easily a razor glides with the correct angle

you want to skin it, not saw it

When your pipes are cold and the dirt is firm, just take a piece of sugar and spit on it. Then scrab the dirt away using that dissolving piece of sweet. Won't make any scratches on chrome. You may need a handful of them. Then just wash your messy pipes with warm water or let your dog lick them clean

I'm not sure what gunk you are talking about but the burnt on plasti sounds feasible.

Me, I'm still learning the art of using the most appropriate cleaner for the job at hand. What I've been doing lately though is Initially wiping my bike down ie wheels, any oil flung off my chain and mostly anything else, down using kero.

Gets all the dirtiest dirt (is there clean dirt stacka lol?) completely off before I use my soapy sponge. Works well for me but a good supply of rags are essentia. Also stops the greasiest grease (I'm on a roll) going down our waterways.

You should've said soapy soap..

I have had the same problem.

This worked for me.

Lay a wet cloth on it for an hour or two. Then spray some Bug N Tar Remover. Let sit for 10-20 minutes and wipe it away.

Cheers!
Ceuls

I use Magic Eraser to clean my exhaust, forks, wheels and chrome engine cases. Don't touch the frame or paint with it though.



Make sure it is wet and just keep at it. It'll take bugs, road tar and melted plastic off chrome without scratching...just grab a seat and be patient.

I use a piece of ultra-fine (00) steel wool for tough spots on the pipes.

Last week, I mounted a new rear tire and while the wheel was off, I detailed the undercarriage. Wow, it was pretty filthy under there. The underside of the pipes needed quite a bit of work. Now, I'm ready for a wet Spring....