Collectors maintenance

[Polli_imp]

Hi everybody, i would like to take my collectors back to their original state, any suggestions on how to clean them?
Thanks

[the Ferret]

Are you talking about the header pipes?

[chync_imp]

Assuming that’s what we call the headers (exhaust tubes from cylinders) in the US I use some metal polish suitable for polishing stainless steel. I have had good success with this https://www.amazon.com/Mothers-05101-Mag...g+compound


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[Dengie Boy_imp]

Whilst not disagreeing with using Mothers aluminium polish, I find the quickest way back to bright shiny stainless steel is 1000 grade wet and dry paper followed by Solvol Autosol metal polish (available throughout the EU at car shops).
In fact if the discolouration is really bad start with coarse paper (#240?) and work up the grades to 1000 or even 1500 before your chosen metal polish.

[LongRanger_imp]

On other bikes, I've had good success using WD-40 and a green Scotchbrite pad. Wipe off when you're done.

[tuareg_imp]

On stainless steel headers I generally use 3M scour pad, the kind used by car body repair shops, with water to get rid of the heavy grime and finish off with Autosol. Either green or red variety are OK, red is a bit more coarse.

[Nortoon_imp]

I use Autosol on my headers as well. I lay a streak down the front and spread it around with a nitrile glove. Leave it for a bit, and then polish the fried bugs off with an old sock wrapped around the header twice. One of those products that bikers have used for decades.

[max]

Depending on how the condition is; autosol or wet and dry, when the bike was at the dealer it bought it it appeared that the preservative had not been removed before the bike was delivered, judging by the pattern of the covering.
I tried autosol but that was not getting this layer off, so i started with 800 wet and ended up with 1200 wet sandpaper.
That cleared the stainless pipe, but to get it shiny i got some strips of cloth and wrapped once around the pipes and applied some autosol, just went back and forth with the cloth and worked it the length of the pipes.



and when all was done this was the result of one days work ;



Guess it depends if you want a brushed or polished look, which can always be changed.
Hope this gives you an idea of where you are and what to do next.

Cheers

[TwoBrothersBusa_imp]

Mothers polish here...

[Inhouse Bob]

I like those chrome side covers.