Don't know if someone has posted this before or not...
Tired of your old rusty dingy exhaust headers and pipes? Well here are some simple instructions to make them look 100% better....Like New. When done right, Stainless Headers will patina a golden color. I will do my best Billy Mays impersonation to show you how easy this is....
And can be done for LESS THAN $10.00!
I have been around stainless car exhaust systems for quite a while now and many of our clients asked how to re-new their exhaust systems. I am glad I knew this technique when I purchased my Monster. The dumb F*k who assembled it did not wipe off the headers after handling them...So if you don't know what happens when you do this, you will have finger prints burnt into your brand new shiny exhaust. If my headers were evidence at the at a crime scene, the guy would have been caught due to the fact I had 5 examples of perfect finger prints right on the front header pipe of my 696.
This process can be done on the bike, but would be easier with the exhaust removed...I'm too short on time to remove them so I just did mine while mounted on the bike.
Here is what you will need...
Small Can of WD-40 - $4.49 from Walgreens
These work the best - $1.34 -
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/3M-General-Purpose-Abrasive-Hand-Pad-4ZR10
Paper Towels - $2.24
And if things are really messy...
220 Grit Sand Paper - $0.92 per sheet.
Once you have all of your supplies you are ready to start. If your pipes are not in bad shape, simply take the maroon scotch brite pads, spray some WD-40 on, and use a twisting motion around the exhaust. Try to twist in an even lateral motion so the "brush" will be uniform. Once you have removed the road grime, rust, burnt on bugs, etc, wipe them down with a paper towel. Your headers and exhaust should look brushed and silver. You can stop here, but if you want to patina the stainless, spray some WD-40 on a paper towel and wipe down the headers. When you ride the bike the exhaust will heat and over time the pipes will turn golden brown again. For the first 5 or so rides, wipe down the exhaust with a paper towel and WD-40 before starting the bike. Also wipe the pipes down after they cool off from a ride and try not to let any water or any liquids get on the headers before they patina. If this does happen, simply scotch brite the small area again. This only needs to be done once a season, or every 6 months or so if riding regularly.
If the pipes are really nasty, do the process with 220 grit sandpaper and then go over with maroon scotch brite.
Here is a picture of the results:
Right after the first process:
Here is 3 rides in..and gold ti bolts added to the exhaust shield!
