Electropolishing

[uclabiker06]

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).  

[SpikeC]

 Simple answer is no. They would have to be immersed in electrolyte .

[uclabiker06]

Only reason I asked is because I saw this vid..."carbon fiber brush"?

[SpikeC]

 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.

[Raux]

awesome

[uclabiker06]

SpikeC I can assure you I wont be trying this. Raux, agreed.

[Rowdy]

Have you thought about ceramic coating. It won't discolour.
http://www.competitioncoatings.com.au/album/Bikes/index.html#Craig's%20996%20005.jpg.

Mine still look like this after 2 years.

[suzyj]

I wouldn't let that thing within 20 feet of anything with an ecu in it.

Just sayin.

[LowThudd]

I wouldn't let that thing within 20 feet of anything with an ecu in it.

Just sayin.

Dam good point!

[uclabiker06]

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

[OzzyRob]

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. 

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

[LowThudd]

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. 

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.

[OzzyRob]

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://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_smoke

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

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

[LowThudd]

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?

[OzzyRob]

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.