Refinishing head pipes

MikeM · Jul 27, 2014

I am on a budget build and want to refinish the head pipes. No budget to replace or rechrome at this time.
Is there a chrome heat paint I can use that will look reasonable? Wrapping?
I am not a hack but want to make the thing presentable until I am able to do it properly.
Should I just leave the rusty pipes alone? The bike looks honest but well used.
With the engine and trans done, I am able to ride it but want to be presentable.

Hobot · Jul 27, 2014

Get some StrongArm and rub/brush it back to mostly chrome then polish so any discoloration left is shiny. Some stuff like Blue Job leaves a dull finish that the rust and stains looks better to me. It'd cost a 3rd to 1/2 of new pipes to buy the wrap for them which with too soon get road grim blasted to tatters on the down tubes of Commandos. Don't even consider paint, it'd burn and blister off stain the worse areas and look like crap over any good chrome it remains on. If ya can find\afford 2000'F rate paint - that's work for awhile.

http://search.findwide.com/serp?s=0&fil ... orer&guid={91219381-8FD1-46C5-95AB-1530F5B56BB8}&action=homepage_search&parent_action=homepage_search&serpv=29&i=&campaign=&pub=

drp · Jul 27, 2014

You may want to consider Armor Coat, a ceramic powder coat. You can get a "chrome like" finish or something else like a black matte finish. The place I have used is Aesthetic Finishers in Piqua Ohio http://www.afipowder.com/ but I'm sure that you can find someone in the Chicago area. Just with the local powder coating shops. If you check their website I think you can see some pictures of it. Another ceramic coating is Jet Hot, they have full list of colors on their website http://www.jet-hot.com/coatings/

Dave

Hobot · Jul 27, 2014

I've a set of Aluminized ceramic coatings so know that costs as much as pair of pipes from forum owner or other vendors.

rx7171 · Jul 28, 2014

On a tight budget when the time comes to buy I've been happy with these headers from Commando Specialties.
Make in USA.
http://www.commandospecialties.com/Prod ... ProdID=144

olChris · Jul 28, 2014

Have a read thru here... Might help..

cleaning-chrome-with-aluminum-foil-t13557.html?hilit=Aluminium%20foil#p160422

acotrel · Jul 28, 2014

I have a problem with a rusty 2 into one, and I've thought about having it duplicated in Inconel. There is a guy at an airfield in SE Melbourne who makes aircraft exhausts out of it, by bending and welding. I've looked at ceramic finishing, however the nearest business is 250 Km away and you have to be there on the day each week when he does his production run, before 8 am if you want to have it to take home on the same day, otherwise it is two trips and it is very expensive even without the travel included. This is a minor issue and I will probably end up repainting the exhaust, however it is quite irritating. A titanium exhaust would be nice.

Biscuit · Jul 28, 2014

Probably depends on just how bad the pipes are. I've used fine steel wool and WD40 to clean rusted chrome. On cheesy chrome though, it can scratch. On good quality chrome works great. I've used the technique on wheels with no scratching at all. I would think that exhaust pipe chrome would also be pretty high quality.

Hobot · Jul 28, 2014

Alan I'm a 2 into one into megaphone man so would love to see a photo of you rusty version. I'm studying up on Tig welding and stepped header and collector designs for Peel. In her case I'd tune it for best idle and low end as more important than top end in her special needs.

Johnnymac · Jul 28, 2014

hobot said:
Get some StrongArm and rub/brush it back to mostly chrome then polish so any discoloration left is shiny. Some stuff like Blue Job leaves a dull finish that the rust and stains looks better to me. It'd cost a 3rd to 1/2 of new pipes to buy the wrap for them which with too soon get road grim blasted to tatters on the down tubes of Commandos. Don't even consider paint, it'd burn and blister off stain the worse areas and look like crap over any good chrome it remains on. If ya can find\afford 2000'F rate paint - that's work for awhile.

http://search.findwide.com/serp?s=0&fil ... orer&guid={91219381-8FD1-46C5-95AB-1530F5B56BB8}&action=homepage_search&parent_action=homepage_search&serpv=29&i=&campaign=&pub=

I used BlueJob and it took the blue off of my pipes and didn't dull the chrome at all. Perhaps Hobot is thinking about "Blue Away"? that stuff does dull the chrome.

Here's before and after with Blue Job on my pipes.

Hobot · Jul 28, 2014

Alrightly love your effort to mirror your reflections and thanks for wearing clothes!. I'll see if I still have the blue remover brand but quit after a small section left it dull yuky.

midnightlamp · Jul 28, 2014

In my experience, a pair of replacement pipes (if an oriental set is available, like what is made for commandos right now) is cheaper than getting almost any work done to a set of pipes. Rechroming is $$$, removing dents is $$, and straightening is $.

If it's just rusty and mucky, 5 minutes with some 0000 grade steel wool (do NOT use any other grade on chrome) will tell you if the chrome is salvagable. It'll knock off almost all of the surface rust and leave you with pits. Coke and aluminum foil will reduce the pit size (visually) a bit and turn them black, if you want to go a step further.

A set of brand new pipes is ~$180 shipped in the CONUS, which is really hard to say no to.

gortnipper · Jul 28, 2014

olChris said:
Have a read thru here... Might help..

cleaning-chrome-with-aluminum-foil-t13557.html?hilit=Aluminium%20foil#p160422

I tried this recently and was amazed at how well it works, especially when followed up with some polishing cream. Highly recommended as a cheap n cheerful solution.

Beach · Jul 28, 2014

I used the Blue Job on my pipes and it works great, but it is a lot of rubbing to get good results..

olChris · Jul 30, 2014

Beach said:
I used the Blue Job on my pipes and it works great, but it is a lot of rubbing to get good results..

That sorta make makes my mind wander back about 30 yrs.. But sorry to digress :wink: :wink:

Norton Dave · Jul 31, 2014

Mike take a look at ceramic coatings , bright silver is a good finish and if the headers are good except for the chrome long term maintenance free and good for 1600 degrees F . Never blue again .

Norton Dave · Aug 2, 2014

Have attached photo of the Ceramic coating you can see it looks great .

Refinishing head pipes

MikeM

Hobot

drp

Hobot

rx7171

olChris

acotrel

Biscuit

Hobot

Johnnymac

Hobot

midnightlamp

gortnipper

Beach

olChris

Norton Dave

Norton Dave

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