How to Clean a Motorcycle Exhaust
Cleaning motorcycle exhaust is one way to make your ride look brand new again. Exhausts tend to pick up a lot of dirt and, because they get really hot, they can even melt rubber soles on boots, or burn off parts of your pant legs.
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Instructions
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1
Treat the exhaust with a chrome cleaner (if it is chrome) and let it set into the chrome for a short while. Scrub with a soft brush and pad until the dirt is removed.
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2
Polish the chrome pipes with chrome polish. Apply it using a soft rag and rub into the chrome in a circular motion. Then buff out the polish with a clean rag, or powered buffer and clean, soft chrome pad. Repeat until the pipes are shining and clean. If the exhaust is not chrome, go to step 3.
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3
Treat the exhaust pipes with any metal cleaner you find at the motorcycle parts store. Find one that matches your pipe's material. If it is carbon fiber, use a high quality carbon fiber cleaner. It it is steel, use a steel cleaner and grease remover. Scrub with a stiff pad and then rinse.
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4
Apply a steel polish to the exhaust with a soft cloth. Rub it into the pipes, then buff it back out with a softer pad or buffer. For tough, melted-on stains, go to step 5.
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5
For melted-on plastic, or burns from blue jeans, you need to take special steps. A good solution is to apply "Blue Job" cleaner to the area. Add some water to the mixture and make a paste. Then paint it on the pipes. Using a cloth wrapped around a piece of wood, scrape the melted material off the bike. Scrub vigorously, and eventually the melted materials will come off.
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Comments
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jbsimpson
Sep 24, 2009
I accidentally dropped my microfibre washmit on my hot chrome exhaust header. Once the header cooled off, stuck to it was melted orange microfibres - it was like baked on. I spent hours on the internet to check for a solution, however was not comfortable with chemicals as you never know what they can do (especially caustic stuff like easy off), steel wool (known to scratch), sandpaper (scratches like steel wool). I tried the magic eraser with some success. Comet was mild enough, just like the magic eraser not to scuff the chrome. What really worked was a brass shim. Brass is softer than chrome and will not damage the chrome if you are careful. I was able to gently scrape off the baked microfibres without leaving a trace on the chrome. You should always try this on a small area first. Good luck!
