Author Topic: Anyway to get the Silver back??? (Read 11032 times)

IcyChaos · « **Reply #15 on:** April 30, 2006, 04:58:17 AM »

Quote from: "Silverstreak"

Geeeez, just ridem. If you want sometin to look at, buy a chrome plated lawn tractor.

All I do is ride the dang thing. Thats why my bike is so filthy and the pipes are nasty looking. Haven't bothered cleaning it good since I bought it in september. Thats why I need some pointers to get the grunge off...

I like the gold, so I'll try the Armorall 50/50, the WD40 and the mothers polish.

As for Road Tar and rail dust, I've used a Clay bar before on my car, and it works well, I would hop it'd work for that as well.

deepink · « **Reply #16 on:** April 30, 2006, 10:00:38 AM »

I like the gold look , too.

Desolation Angel · « **Reply #17 on:** April 30, 2006, 11:41:06 AM »

Quote from: "SmokeyAndTheBandit"

The quickest and easiest way to get the pipes silver again is by using a polishing compound called white rouge. It is a chalky substance and you put it on a cotton buffing wheel. White rouge is amazing stuff. It is definitely alot easier to polish with it. I like to go over it afterwards with Mothers polish to get it perfect. Here's what mine looked like afterwards.

Very nice. How long before they start to turn back to gold?

jbrough7 · « **Reply #18 on:** April 30, 2006, 05:36:59 PM »

Nice looking bike! Hey! What's with the gates up on the path across the road?

Jim

SmokeyAndTheBandit · « **Reply #19 on:** April 30, 2006, 11:49:34 PM »

It lasted about two weeks before they began to turn back. Probably due to the excessive heat from running lean. Once I get it rejetted I will polish them again to see how long they last.

Quote

Nice looking bike! Hey! What's with the gates up on the path across the road?

Thanks. The gate goes into the patio where the pool is. No roads in this pic, just the driveway. That big gravel sucks to ride on.

jbrough7 · « **Reply #20 on:** May 01, 2006, 05:57:36 PM »

I know - I got the big stuff on my drive and it sucks - then there are big rocks here and there so my poor bandit moans and groans.

Jim

IcyChaos · « **Reply #21 on:** May 03, 2006, 02:19:19 AM »

hrmph, Well I gave it a shot, but no real luck...

My pipes are NASTY, I bought it this way I think... I always ride instead of clean.

Anyhow it has tar or rail dust or something that has quite a few black spots all over the pipes. I tried the polish without avail, and I tried some eagle one metal polish(steel wool). This works somewhat, but takes about 20 minutes per little spot to get it out. I don't mind turning all the pipes silver/yellow if I can get them shiny.

Any suggestions?? I'm about to try EZ off oven cleaner.

Red01 · « **Reply #22 on:** May 03, 2006, 02:25:15 PM »

Gasoline or kerosene works well to disolve tar spots. A plastic scraper can be helpful. Then polish the pipes after you're got the nasty stuff off with the solvent.

IcyChaos · « **Reply #23 on:** June 06, 2006, 05:57:32 AM »

Just a little update with pics. I finally got it out, but not easily. Here's some before photo's. sorry there aren't many.

Ugly pipes

Here's 6 hours later. I tried everything, but I finally took some brillo pad to it with ZEP Oven Brite. I don't want them silver, but to get those tarnished spots off I had no choice.

Red01 · « **Reply #24 on:** June 06, 2006, 11:55:24 AM »

Quote

I don't want them silver, but to get those tarnished spots off I had no choice.

Don't worry, they'll stat turning gold again in no time.

flipbandit · « **Reply #25 on:** June 09, 2006, 12:22:50 AM »

woaw!
that looks nice.
but i dont have the patience to polish my bike like that and then go back to gold after a couple weeks. i mean i rode 1000 miles in less than 2 weeks,

if im really not happy with my goldish pipes id rather powder coat em black.
hehehe

i salute you. hahaha

B12NScott · « **Reply #26 on:** June 09, 2006, 12:54:15 PM »

I used a Maguires (spelling) Power Ball on my cordless drill, and some of this from the Motorcycle show. (www.master-formula.com) It worked pretty good. I took 2 sessions to make them look real good. I don't have any good before and after pics, but the dirt and grime were so thick the pipes did not shine at all.. very dull. ( Previous owner used it as a commuter only and did not wash/shine much) I put a sealer on it and the color is slowly turning gold again. I pretty much ride more and polish less. It was alot of work to clean it up and now I have a greater appreciaton for the full faired bikes. My engine is pretty dull as well, I still have not tried the WD-40 trick.

Lmario · « **Reply #27 on:** June 12, 2006, 09:23:22 AM »

I use some stuff you just apply with a brush, then drink a beer (approx 5-10 minutes) and then rinse it off with water.

Result: (left before, right=after)

And then another beer to celebrate I've cleaned the downpipes.

I don't know the brand of the stuff I use, but it is a stainless steel cleaner for kitchens etc. (Not the beer, the cleaner.The beer is Heineken.)

Desolation Angel · « **Reply #28 on:** June 12, 2006, 09:46:17 AM »

Yo, Ice! I just realized you said six hours later!

Holy Moly!

I think I'll just stick with wiping my pipes off with soap and water when the bike gets washed.

IcyChaos · « **Reply #29 on:** June 12, 2006, 05:39:10 PM »

yea I know. The problem was when I bought the bike the headers were pretty nasty. a Year later I decide to clean them.

I guess if you don't let them get terrible, then it won't take this long.