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Discoloration on Stainless Steel Headers
Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2006 11:10 am
by grt1500
Does anyone know how to bring back the stainless finish or maintain it ? my headers are mostly blue now with a little yellow.
This has probably been addressed in the past but I can't find the topic so I apologize if its redundant.
Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2006 11:34 am
by DJ Downunder
You can use a metal polish and rub,rub,rub until they come back to nice chrome looking...I've done mine a few times..they come up looking great.
But...
After just a short ride they will go back the way they were...what a waste of time and effort...I don't do mine anymore..my advise is..don't bother.
Just get used to that blue,brown,gold effect and don't worry about it.
DJ
Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2006 12:30 pm
by HILLBILLIEBIKER
Blue is bluetyful.
Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2006 1:16 pm
by fallingpines
Hi, I have an 04' R and thought that the header pipes coming from the cylinders were stainless. When I picked up my bike new, the careless mechanics who prepped it left all sorts of finger prints on my headers that seemed to bake on and ruin the finish. I tried to polish the headers a bit with a polishing wheel and fine metal polish, but it started to look like I was cutting through a chrome layer so I backed off. This made me think that the headers were chromed steel.
So, can anyone confirm the material of these pipes? If stainless I would love to finish the job that I started. If not stainless, does anyone know if stainless head pipes are available? If not, has anyone tried ceramic coating the interior of new pipes to prevent or minimize the blueing?
Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2006 2:15 pm
by Boxer
Single wall polished stainless steel. Mine have gone from blue to gold to a dull pewter color. I've used Blue Job on them some and then wiped down with oil to make a nice even color.
Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2006 2:17 pm
by Ed K
grt1500,
Try "Blue-Away"...you can find it in BMW dealers...its expensive, but works...and does last quite a while.