Stainless Exhaust Polish and Protection

[o2man98]

I have a stainless exhaust system from head to end on my motorcycle. It came as a brushed stainless. Over course being stainless it "wheated" up in color which I do not mind at all. There also was slight spots of corrosion so I did a mild polish on it. Well, not all yet but I started.......

Question is.... What is everyones favorite method for stainless polish touch up and what product do you use.

Being that it is an exhaust I doubt there will be any way to protect it due to heat.

Thanks

 

[XS650]

When I had a stainless MC exhaust system, I used Simichrome polish and polished them with #0000 steel wool.

Supposedly you should use stainless steel wool because regular steel wool will leave behind small pieces that rust, but that wasn't a problem when I did it. I think other metal polishes or chrome cleaner would work too.

 

[dgee]

Meguiars Metal Polish
Use a foam applicator pad and finish off with a microfiber towel

 

[Nederlander75]

Ive had good luck with Bar Keeper's Friend and a Scotch Brite. Not sure houd your protect it given the heat though.

 

[roushstage2]

I can't think of what that exhaust metal looks like, but my truck has "brushed" looking stainless exhaust tubing and I used Bar Keeper's Friend and an SOS pad on it recently and it took off about two years of crud in about a minute. Looks great now! Like new actually.

 

[widman]

Check this link to see what you can do with stainless.
polishing stainless steel
As for the brushed appearance, use a 3M pad, but only in the direction you want the brush strokes. I've fixed many commercial kitchen exhaust stacks and walk-in coolers that way to look like new after years of scratches and damage. You can even use the coarse black stuff to give it the good brushed finish.

 

[widman]

Just thought I'd share a little more of what can be done with polishing. This is from the Renault I'm restoring. Exhaust manifold is cleaned up with wire brushes and painted with Rustoleum BBQ.

The rear air grill

 

[cchase]

Thank you for the update Richard, I took a look at your write-up on repairing old SS pieces - very well done and the results speak for themselves.

 

[Trav]

This does a nice job, try it on the blued parts you will be happy with the results.

http://www.sheilashineinc.com/

 

[widman]

Originally Posted By: Trav
This does a nice job, try it on the blued parts you will be happy with the results.

http://www.sheilashineinc.com/


I remember that from my previous life. Made the stainless shine, but had to be stripped periodically as the oily film turned dark. Might have changed in 20 years, but that was my experience with it in the restaurant industry.

 

[Vikas]

Is that aluminum exhaust? Can you tell the procedure in bringing it back to life?

Thanks,

 

[Garak]

Amazing pics again!