Ducati Monster Forum

Moto Board => Tech => Topic started by: uclabiker06 on May 22, 2013, 04:01:22 PM

Title: Electropolishing
Post by: uclabiker06 on May 22, 2013, 04:01:22 PM
Anyone have experience with electropolishing their stainless?  Wonder if electropolishing can be done without removing pipes from the bike.

I don't currently have a buffer & no matter how much elbow grease I used the Brasso just wasn't cutting it so my pipes dulled & dulled & dulled.  I wet sanded and now using 3M rubbing compound.  The compound works much better  than Brasso but still requires a ton of elbow grease at this stage.

I vow to get a buffer & never let my pipes brown to this level again (yes I know some people like the brown look but I don't really prefer it).  

Title: Re: Electropolishing
Post by: SpikeC on May 22, 2013, 05:18:15 PM
 Simple answer is no. They would have to be immersed in electrolyte .
Title: Re: Electropolishing
Post by: uclabiker06 on May 22, 2013, 05:38:04 PM
Only reason I asked is because I saw this vid..."carbon fiber brush"?


DIY Electro polishing of stainless steel after welding (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbEk3pU-hhg#)
Title: Re: Electropolishing
Post by: SpikeC on May 22, 2013, 06:37:15 PM
 OK, so it is theoretically possible. Spot plating is also possible, butt it gets fussy really fast. Let us know how it goes if you try it!
This is really more like electro cleaning than polishing, I think, for what that is worth.
Title: Re: Electropolishing
Post by: Raux on May 22, 2013, 10:21:16 PM
awesome
Title: Re: Electropolishing
Post by: uclabiker06 on May 22, 2013, 11:13:32 PM
SpikeC I can assure you I wont be trying this. Raux, agreed.
Title: Re: Electropolishing
Post by: Rowdy on May 23, 2013, 12:55:47 AM
Have you thought about ceramic coating. It won't discolour.
http://www.competitioncoatings.com.au/album/Bikes/index.html#Craig's%20996%20005.jpg. (http://www.competitioncoatings.com.au/album/Bikes/index.html#Craig's%20996%20005.jpg.)

Mine still look like this after 2 years.
Title: Re: Electropolishing
Post by: suzyj on May 23, 2013, 03:08:01 AM
I wouldn't let that thing within 20 feet of anything with an ecu in it.

Just sayin.
Title: Re: Electropolishing
Post by: LowThudd on May 23, 2013, 04:33:31 AM
Quote from: suzyj on May 23, 2013, 03:08:01 AM
I wouldn't let that thing within 20 feet of anything with an ecu in it.

Just sayin.

Dam good point!
Title: Re: Electropolishing
Post by: uclabiker06 on May 23, 2013, 07:41:27 PM
Yes, thought about ceramic but untill I saw the pics in your link I didn't know it can look so shiny like polished stainless/chrome.  I'm thinking you still have to take care of the finish even on the ceramic to keep it shining, no?  Plus my mufflers are carbon fiber so I don't think they'll withstand oven temps.  

Don't want to take the exhaust apart.  Never say never I guess; maybe sometime down the road.  I've never seen ceramic coating other than black in person (Or maybe I have and I thought it was steel/chrome).

I really like the look of polished bare stainless.  Going to give it another shot and see if I can manage to keep it shiny with the new polishing cream.  Maybe one day there will be a high temp clearcoat or clear ceramic coat.


Thanks to all
Title: Re: Electropolishing
Post by: OzzyRob on May 23, 2013, 08:06:49 PM
Quote from: suzyj on May 23, 2013, 03:08:01 AM
I wouldn't let that thing within 20 feet of anything with an ecu in it.

Just sayin.

That's no fun.

I'm sure it's safe....the smoke seems to come off at the pipes....there must be some sort of sensor that prevents the smoke from being pushed thru the ECU.  [laugh]

Metabo seems to have some nice pipe polishing toys....ermmmm I mean tools.
Title: Re: Electropolishing
Post by: LowThudd on May 23, 2013, 08:17:55 PM
Quote from: OzzyRob on May 23, 2013, 08:06:49 PM
That's no fun.

I'm sure it's safe....the smoke seems to come off at the pipes....there must be some sort of sensor that prevents the smoke from being pushed thru the ECU.  [laugh]

Metabo seems to have some nice pipe polishing toys....ermmmm I mean tools.

It ain't the smoke but the electrostatic discharge and/or EMI. That can easily kill sensitive electronics.
Title: Re: Electropolishing
Post by: OzzyRob on May 23, 2013, 08:45:21 PM
Quote from: LowThudd on May 23, 2013, 08:17:55 PM
It ain't the smoke but the electrostatic discharge and/or EMI. That can easily kill sensitive electronics.

I see you've been indoctrinated into the myth of electricity.

It's a lie. Smoke does all the work. Ever noticed once the smoke escapes electrical things stop working ? Every technician knows this.

Here is some reference material for you

http://www.ece.rochester.edu/courses/ECE113/materials/smoke.pdf (http://www.ece.rochester.edu/courses/ECE113/materials/smoke.pdf)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_smoke (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_smoke)

http://dechionsplace.wordpress.com/2009/01/08/blue-smoke/ (http://dechionsplace.wordpress.com/2009/01/08/blue-smoke/)

http://www.peizhang.com/forfun/forfun_writings_smoke.htm (http://www.peizhang.com/forfun/forfun_writings_smoke.htm)
Title: Re: Electropolishing
Post by: LowThudd on May 23, 2013, 09:13:00 PM
That blue smoke is called Ozone to the more technical. I fail to see what that has to do with the effects of electrostatic discharge and EMI. I have built and modified my own computers, both with and without a static guard. I have also been in the computer program Q&A business for over 20 years(although not currently), as well as built R&D electric vehicles. I have experienced any one of several forms of electronic component failure during these experiences as well as had first hand experience with IT techs explaining these processes to me. I have researched this, and this blue smoke theore has nothing to do with the basic fact that electronics do not like EMI and electrostatic discharge. Will it always kill a microprocessor? No, not always. But why risk it?
Title: Re: Electropolishing
Post by: OzzyRob on May 23, 2013, 09:19:04 PM
Unfortunately that theory is only taught to those of us seeking to be electronic technicians.

Actually I feel I may have a visit from The Guild for releasing that information into the general public.
Title: Re: Electropolishing
Post by: LowThudd on May 23, 2013, 09:22:51 PM
Quote from: OzzyRob on May 23, 2013, 09:19:04 PM
Unfortunately that theory is only taught to those of us seeking to be electronic technicians.

Actually I feel I may have a visit from The Guild for releasing that information into the general public.

Maybe I missed the Aussie humor?
Title: Re: Electropolishing
Post by: OzzyRob on May 23, 2013, 09:25:18 PM
make the beast with two backsen totally  [laugh]

Every tech knows about smoke.
Title: Re: Electropolishing
Post by: J5 on May 23, 2013, 09:41:07 PM
Quote from: OzzyRob on May 23, 2013, 09:25:18 PM
make the beast with two backsen totally  [laugh]

Every tech knows about smoke.

yep shit dont work when you let the smoke out  :'(

its really make the beast with two backsing hard to get the smoke back in and get it to work again  [laugh]
Title: Re: Electropolishing
Post by: LowThudd on May 23, 2013, 09:46:06 PM
Quote from: OzzyRob on May 23, 2013, 09:25:18 PM
make the beast with two backsen totally  [laugh]

Every tech knows about smoke.

lol...I been drinkin'. [drink] [laugh]
Title: Re: Electropolishing
Post by: OzzyRob on May 23, 2013, 09:49:47 PM
Quote from: LowThudd on May 23, 2013, 09:46:06 PM
lol...I been drinkin'. [drink] [laugh]

Must be your shout  [drink]
Title: Re: Electropolishing
Post by: LowThudd on May 23, 2013, 09:58:07 PM
Quote from: OzzyRob on May 23, 2013, 09:49:47 PM
Must be your shout  [drink]

I'd pour one if I could from here. lol (I had to look the expression up).
Title: Re: Electropolishing
Post by: uclabiker06 on May 23, 2013, 11:28:28 PM
 [drink]
Title: Re: Electropolishing
Post by: suzyj on May 24, 2013, 02:34:18 AM
Quote from: OzzyRob on May 23, 2013, 08:45:21 PM
I see you've been indoctrinated into the myth of electricity.

It's a lie. Smoke does all the work. Ever noticed once the smoke escapes electrical things stop working ? Every technician knows this.

Here is some reference material for you

http://www.ece.rochester.edu/courses/ECE113/materials/smoke.pdf (http://www.ece.rochester.edu/courses/ECE113/materials/smoke.pdf)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_smoke (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_smoke)

http://dechionsplace.wordpress.com/2009/01/08/blue-smoke/ (http://dechionsplace.wordpress.com/2009/01/08/blue-smoke/)

http://www.peizhang.com/forfun/forfun_writings_smoke.htm (http://www.peizhang.com/forfun/forfun_writings_smoke.htm)

Christ man, have you lost your mind? NEVER tell them about the smoke!

At least you didn't mention the mirrors.
Title: Re: Electropolishing
Post by: OzzyRob on May 24, 2013, 04:33:41 AM
Quote from: suzyj on May 24, 2013, 02:34:18 AM
Christ man, have you lost your mind? NEVER tell them about the smoke!

At least you didn't mention the mirrors.

There are no mirrors.  ;)