nextfriday
Junior Member
What are u guys using to keep your down pipes clean without pulling the factory bronzing off? I've seen a few fz's with really tarnished downpipes and they are just an eyesore.
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Keeping down pipes shiny
- Thread starter nextfriday
- Start date
teeter
Frank Zappa the 6th
I'm going for the natural blackish-brownish-goldish look myself, but I'm told that WD4 on cold pipes works a treat. Haven't tried it though.
If you ride in rain regularly, there is not much you can do...if you want shiny pipes...dont ever ride in the rain....or get titanium headers...they are easy to get clean.
:thumbup:
:thumbup:
Yammi Dodger
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I use Autosol Chrome, Aluminium and Metal Polish works a treat.
chunkygoat
Member
I found a local here in Pennsylvania will ceramic coat the downpipes for only 100$ provided you take them off and bring them to him. Powder coating is even cheaper. You might find a few fz's on here with their pipes ceramic coated black, and could probably find somebody in your area that will do it cheaply for you.
That always looks nice, I think at least.
That always looks nice, I think at least.
616ah
Junior Member
ranieri
Junior Member
:rockon:Autosol I ride all year and it keeps them perfect.
Yes, Autosol works great, but two things to keep in mind (second one especially for US riders):
1) You really have to be very patient and consistent when you are using it the first time. It takes a while before it starts working the way you would think it would work especially if the pipes are really dirty.
2) Autosol is not something that is widely available in US. Very limited suppliers as far as I can tell. But here is one you can use to order:
Autosol® Polish in a Tube Item # ASOL1 - Winter Brook Farm Antiques
1) You really have to be very patient and consistent when you are using it the first time. It takes a while before it starts working the way you would think it would work especially if the pipes are really dirty.
2) Autosol is not something that is widely available in US. Very limited suppliers as far as I can tell. But here is one you can use to order:
Autosol® Polish in a Tube Item # ASOL1 - Winter Brook Farm Antiques
+1 on Autosol.
I use it with 0000 steel wool, doesn't leave scratches.
The first time I used it was to remove water spots, not for discoloration as I only had a few hundred on the bike. Probably twenty minutes or so and they actually went back to silver.
Since then, I spend about 5 minutes every week or so just doing a quick once over on the headers and my cans. Buff it on with a dab of Autosol on the steel wool, it will haze, wipe with a microfiber cloth.
I got the Autosol on Amazon.com, the 3.5 oz tubes. Bought two just to save on the shipping. Barely used the first tube yet.
Saw this technique on another thread, and I must admit, I think it will go along way in terms of prevention of buildup as well.
Scorp
I use it with 0000 steel wool, doesn't leave scratches.
The first time I used it was to remove water spots, not for discoloration as I only had a few hundred on the bike. Probably twenty minutes or so and they actually went back to silver.
Since then, I spend about 5 minutes every week or so just doing a quick once over on the headers and my cans. Buff it on with a dab of Autosol on the steel wool, it will haze, wipe with a microfiber cloth.
I got the Autosol on Amazon.com, the 3.5 oz tubes. Bought two just to save on the shipping. Barely used the first tube yet.
Saw this technique on another thread, and I must admit, I think it will go along way in terms of prevention of buildup as well.
Scorp
Dennis in NH
Member
How about advice on how to do this -- not just the product? I'm thinking remove the underbelly and then take a micro fiber towel and wrap it around each pipe and pull right and left (like shining a shoe)?
My pipes look brown and I'm ready to take that underbelly off and start cleaning and then applying some Mothers Chrome polish. I'm more motivated now that the humidity is down here in NH.
Thanks,
Dennis
My pipes look brown and I'm ready to take that underbelly off and start cleaning and then applying some Mothers Chrome polish. I'm more motivated now that the humidity is down here in NH.
Thanks,
Dennis
Yes, you want to take the underbelly off (if you have one). I had the exact thought first time around about the towel and it didn't work really well. I ended up using my hand (with rubber glove of course) and that did the trick. Mine were really dirty and it took a while before it started to work and shine started to show through.
I just put a dab on the middle of a steel wool pad, and buff gently on the entire area of the pipe.
Once it starts to haze, I then switch to a towel and wipe it off.
Scorp
Once it starts to haze, I then switch to a towel and wipe it off.
Scorp
ranieri
Junior Member
:thumbup:Yep thats exactly how you do it.
616ah
Junior Member
FYI some small town hardware stores keep autosol in stock (ours do) - and 1 tube lasts FOREVER! :rockon:
skyjake
Junior Member
Richard F
Junior Member
It's a real labour of love keeping them shiny if you ride in all weathers but 1/2 hour a week with a bit of Autosol keeps them looking good.
Nefilim
Junior Member
I have water splotches all over my pipes because it rains here ALL THE TIME. How do I remove them? I've tried Mother's aluminum polish, WD40, and ultra fine steel wool.
Go the autosol and steel wool 0000 route.
I haven't tried the sandpaper technique yet, simply because I haven't had to. That stuff and the wool just work together. Better than the other five products I tested from auto stores.
Scorp
I haven't tried the sandpaper technique yet, simply because I haven't had to. That stuff and the wool just work together. Better than the other five products I tested from auto stores.
Scorp
bluefaz
Junior Member
theres a good product out called "optiglanz", it comes in a spray bottle but it can be corrosive to paintwork if your not carefull with it. spray it on a cloth then wipe it over your downpipes, leave for ten or so minutes and then wash off, it brings them up lovely and effortlessly .
Here is another Autosol success story. Personally, I clean mine every two weeks or so. I just use rubber glove and Autosol to get the stuff off and shine it with microfiber towel. I find that even while works faster, the finest steel wool puts scratches on there. The trick with Autosol is to rub it until it turns dark grey. If you use anything except your hands (with rubber gloves!!!), you end up wiping it off so the effect is not that good.
Here is with two weeks' worth of stuff vs. clean side. Those of you with Yamaha belly pans, be careful with the metal hold downs that is sticking on the side of the header. They are very bad for your hands if you hit them:
View attachment 21248
Here is what it looks like when it done:
View attachment 21249
And the belly pan is back on after polish of its own:
View attachment 21250
And we are ready to ride.
Here is with two weeks' worth of stuff vs. clean side. Those of you with Yamaha belly pans, be careful with the metal hold downs that is sticking on the side of the header. They are very bad for your hands if you hit them:
View attachment 21248
Here is what it looks like when it done:
View attachment 21249
And the belly pan is back on after polish of its own:
View attachment 21250
And we are ready to ride.
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