Exhaust pipe cleaning & restoration

[Grumpy Goat]

Came across this short video that may be informative on the subject:



Anyone tackle this tedious job? I still have an unopened tube of Autosol purchased years ago ...

[Lee]

Most of us have exhaust with a chrome finish.
The methods in the video will be too abrasive for chrome.
For people who purchased a base model with the brushed stainless finish the method in the video works  good.
Also some people have replaced their headers when doing a complete exhaust swap.

I use a chrome polish on a rag wrapped around the pipe and use a sawing motion.

[Grumpy Goat]

I use a chrome polish on a rag wrapped around the pipe and use a sawing motion.

How long do you find the polishing lasts before you have to do it again?

[Lee]

I use a chrome polish on a rag wrapped around the pipe and use a sawing motion.

How long do you find the polishing lasts before you have to do it again?

The chrome will look good for a long time if you don't ride in the rain.
Even with riding in the rain, once a year is enough to keep it looking good.
BMW uses single wall pipes so they turn blue fairly quick. I don't bother trying to get ride of the blue because it would be a endless battle.

[Grumpy Goat]

The chrome will look good for a long time if you don't ride in the rain.
Even with riding in the rain, once a year is enough to keep it looking good.
BMW uses single wall pipes so they turn blue fairly quick. I don't bother trying to get ride of the blue, that would be a endless battle.

I thought so about the blue. One year ROI is good ... maybe I'll do mine on a rainy day after the bike is washed next ... for the first time ever. I only ever wash them with the sponge / brush / whatever will fit, and if I miss a spot or three I am not bothered.

[maxredline]

Just two days ago I found a tube of Autosol that was my dad's as he was a huge motorcycle enthusiast. This tube must be 20 years old.
I found a old Vance & Hines 4-1 header that is very hard to find for my 83 collector bike. I had the header/connector pipe and muffler internals ceramic
coated and then needed to give the aluminum can a face lift. I though about buying a pedestal buffer but knew it would not get much use. I used 2000 grit wet sand paper on a 90 degree alternating direction sand then used the Autosol. In no time the aluminum can looked great! I finished it off with carinaria wax.

I have also used it on the RS's header to remove bluing. I didn't work it in hard and did get desired results. I also made sure to remove any residue before getting the system hot.
Autosol is amazing but recommend first using it on a spot not visible as a check.

[maxredline]

Attached is picture of the RS header 2 years after polishing with Autosol. Sorry about the poor lighting. The pipe looks better than this picture shows. As I remember the Autosol got rid of the bluing but there was some straw coloring left close to the cylinder heads.
   

Autosol used on aluminum. 
   

[Grumpy Goat]

I edited your photo a bit ...

   

[maxredline]

Nice job!