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Avoiding heat-discolouration on a stainless steel exhaust pipe: possible? Avoiding heat-discolouration on a stainless steel exhaust pipe: possible?
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Old 14 Jul 2013
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Avoiding heat-discolouration on a stainless steel exhaust pipe: possible?
Hi, folks

I have Motad stainless steel exhaust header pipes to put onto my 4PT, and a stainless steel tailpipe in the post.

Does anyone have any idea how I can prevent heat-discolouration or blueing, when I've got them onto the bike? Is this something that can actually be prevented or lessened - perhaps by somehow tempering the metal with heat during the first few runs of the engine - or is this heat-discolouration simply inevitable?

Would be grateful for any enlightened/experienced opinion/advice on this.


Salut.
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Old 14 Jul 2013
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The only way to stop it is to not start the bike unfortunately. I work in a stainless shop and there is no way to not have it blue. If the exhaust temp never exceeds a certain temp(350-450F ish) it will stay bright, but once the ehat goes up, first comes a straw color, the gold, the purple/blue, then deep blue. You could have a shop make "covers" that standoff from the pipe about 1/4"-3/8" with enough openings for air movement, it would stay bright. Lots of extra cost though.
You canuse a metal polish to reshine the pipes up from time to time but the coloring will always be back.
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Old 14 Jul 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bigfoot 2 View Post
...or is this heat-discolouration simply inevitable?
Its inevitable. However, you can take them off periodically and have them re-polished. Look better than new.




J
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Old 14 Jul 2013
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I didnt get any blue on mine, they are goldish. You can see on picture of my bike here : http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ension-60728-4
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Old 14 Jul 2013
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Although both my bikes are mint, the pipes / manifold are a horrible brownish grey colour. I have tried to polish them but without much effect. I think both were used for a short time off-road and the brown colour seems to stem from mud. The polishing improved them but they still look odd compared to the rest of the bike.

If anyone knows how to polish them, I would like to hear.
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Old 14 Jul 2013
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I use this one and its like new after polishing with my drill. Polersett, 5 deler - Biltema

You find same on ebay or in your local store.
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Old 14 Jul 2013
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XTROCK,

Ordered!

Thanks for that matey.

Neil
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Old 14 Jul 2013
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I have some "Metal Bright" and "Heavy Metal" polish for the mirror stuff. Others I get scotchbright polishing belts and unitized wheels from work that do the initial polishing.
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Old 15 Jul 2013
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I'm a TIG welder and when working outside discoloration usually happens because the shielding gas often is blown away even if you use a large gas lens..

Easiest way (without chemicals) is to use the scotch brite "green pads"!
Proper way to use the pads is to rub them side to side on the pipes! IF you do it lenghtwise it will leave scratch marks on your pipes!

One easy to make a "cleaning paste" is with lemon juice(squeezed) lol and baking soda!
with this paste and the scotch brite, the pipes will be clean in no-time flat!


Vando
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Old 16 Jul 2013
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Oh, well...

Thanks, all. I had hoped it was preventable (in a reasonable way, rather than by 'throttle-abstinance'!). Elbow grease it is, then.
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Old 16 Jul 2013
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Originally Posted by Bigfoot 2 View Post
Oh, well...

Thanks, all. I had hoped it was preventable (in a reasonable way, rather than by 'throttle-abstinance'!). Elbow grease it is, then.
Orrrr......A little bit of this:

http://tinyurl.com/yfjkvwq
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Old 17 Jul 2013
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Er... Thanks, Jens. Have you forgotten to take your pills again?

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Orrrr......A little bit of this:
http://tinyurl.com/yfjkvwq
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Old 17 Jul 2013
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A coil of copper wire wrapped around the exhaust will prevent the discoloration from developing, but then you gotta look at the coil of copper wire.....
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Old 17 Jul 2013
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hi just to add copper gives off poisonous fumes when heated ( one of the reasons we cant have copper down pipes) and when sitting in traffic or at traffic lights the fumes will rise and you could breath them in, steve
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Old 17 Jul 2013
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Then use aluminum, it's just a heat sink.
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