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Post by koolstrike on Nov 12, 2011 8:46:34 GMT -5
I am getting down to the final stages of my restoration. The last "big piece" is the exhaust system. There is not much surface rust but they are quite dull, my original plan was to have them chrome plated. The chrome plater will not plate them unless I get the exhaust cores removed. I cannot seem to figure out how to remove the core, it looks like I would have to destroy the pipes to get them out.
The metal polisher I normally use says that polishing could ruin the surface, he uses machine polishing.
This leaves me with either leaving the pipes alone (not really a great option is the rest of the bike looks amazing) or trying to find another set of pipes in better condition (expensive to say the least) or just using elbow grease and trying to hand polish the pipes which will result in them looking better than they do now but not as good as they should.
Has anybody successfully removed the exhaust cores and if so how did you do it?
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Post by jm0406 on Nov 12, 2011 10:09:26 GMT -5
What is his reason for wanting the "guts" removed? When the pipes have been to the stripper, they chemically strip out all the carbon, so it should not bother his tank. I have also capped off the ends on other pipes before, filled them with water so they would not float in the chrome tank when they could not clean them properly. Jeff
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Post by HGH 770N on Nov 12, 2011 13:42:18 GMT -5
Hi I am looking at re-chromeing my pipes. I have used Castle Chrome in Dudley west midlands on other parts before and found them very good , I have asked them about my pipes and they have segested i clean them out with a caustic type cleaner to remove any loose carbon as it could contaminate there acid tank and leave bits in the chrome. I have 1 spare pipe i will take 1st. I will let you know what he says and how it turns out Rog
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Post by koolstrike on Nov 12, 2011 21:00:32 GMT -5
What is his reason for wanting the "guts" removed? When the pipes have been to the stripper, they chemically strip out all the carbon, so it should not bother his tank. I have also capped off the ends on other pipes before, filled them with water so they would not float in the chrome tank when they could not clean them properly. Jeff I said the same thing but the plater does not want to plug the ends of the pipes as he does not think the plugs will hold and it will contaminate the tanks. I may try bringing up that the pipes could be filled with water and plugged off so they cannot float. This is quite frustrating.
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Post by HGH 770N on Nov 13, 2011 5:14:37 GMT -5
I would think it would be difficult to make them water tight and then removing sutch plugs without damageing new chrome finnish. another other question you could ask is, could they do your pipes last items before they do a tank clean/change which they do from time to time .
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FC Zach
3rd Gear
Eagleville, TN
Posts: 335
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Post by FC Zach on Nov 14, 2011 0:43:41 GMT -5
^ That's exactly what I was going to recommend.
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Post by plipton on Nov 14, 2011 11:26:49 GMT -5
Isn't the outer skin stainless steel? If so it should take any amount of polishing you want to throw at it. I may be wrong about the S/S bit though. Otherwise have you considered Cermakrome? www.camcoat.u-net.com/Exhausts.htmwww.camcoat.u-net.com/Exhtprices2002.htmI have used Camcoat for ceramic coating my VW Beetle headers earlier this year and they look really good so I would definitely recommend them. Depending where you live there will be dealers somewhere near you hopefully.
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FC Zach
3rd Gear
Eagleville, TN
Posts: 335
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Post by FC Zach on Nov 14, 2011 20:12:33 GMT -5
Nope, not stainless steel.
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Post by snowrench on Nov 23, 2011 2:03:48 GMT -5
OH definitely NOT stainless steel. I would plug the pipes with silicon if it made your plater happy. On my blacked-out Re5 I used POR-15 Velvet exhaust paint applied with a little roller, for a textured finish, after sanding the pipes thouroughly.
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Post by redbug2 on Nov 23, 2011 9:53:43 GMT -5
I have to believe they can be sealed tight enough to make your plater happy. You could machine a plate that would screw into the back and perhaps put a rubber seal in there. And for the front get a machined plug that will bolt tight to the front.
How about sending the pipes to a plater that will do them?
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Post by koolstrike on Nov 23, 2011 12:23:09 GMT -5
I think I am going to go the cerachrome route. I checked with several platers locally, none would do them.
Once the cerachrome is done and polished it should look good.
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Post by koolstrike on Nov 30, 2011 19:49:54 GMT -5
I picked up the exhaust today after they have been cerachromed. They came out looking great. Cerachrome is about 5% less shiny than chrome, but unless you have the exhaust pipes right next door to a chromed piece cerachrome in my opinion is a great way to restore the exhaust system.
Thank you for all the suggestions.
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Post by plipton on Dec 1, 2011 7:16:22 GMT -5
Could you post up some pix please? I am thinking of doing the same.
Ta Rick
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Post by koolstrike on Dec 1, 2011 13:34:04 GMT -5
Will do when the bike is done. I am doing a full frame up, engine out restoration.
I will post pics at the end.
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