Cobra 6X6 Exhaust Issues

[haulzazz]

If its too loud, you're too old.  I know it's cliche, but the MarkT M2W conversion just doesnt provide the same sound & fun factor as the 2Bros/Cobra 6X6.  That said, I broke down & bought another set of 6X6 pipes from Cobra.  I was going to take them in and have the front header pipes ceramic coated after being quoted an estimate of $150.  Unfortunately, when I actually brought them in is when I was told OBTW, there is an additional charge of $300 for prep & tax.  As much as I like the ceramic coating look and benefits, Im not sure I can justify another $450.

After 45K miles on the 2 Bros on my '99 ValkIS, there was a little gold on the front headers, a lot on the middle tubes and some blue on the back ones.  Not pretty but there was no rust & I could live with the look.  One of the reasons I had originally converted to MarkT M2W was to preserve the pristine chrome look of the header tubes and I hate the dark blue that eventually appears on all Cobra 6X6 pipes.

Am now trying to figure out alternatives before I install and discolor the Cobras.  Did a search on this forum and found out that several other members have or were considering doing the exhaust wrap on thier Cobras.  Have seen this on several HDs locally and love the bad azz look but am concerned about the H2O retention properties of the wrap and resulting rust on the header pipes.  Would love to hear from any forum members who have gone this route and and feedback recommendations they may have based on their experience.

TIA, Fred

[98pacecar]

This product, will,,,, take the blue/brown discoloration off your pipes, and not damage the chrome... 

Been using it for years. had a friend whose wife's sportster pipes looked terrible.    ???

We cleaned em, ta look, as new..   

She came unglued,,     Said she had been working hard,,, ta get em looking that way..   

Who,, knew....   

Good stuff.... 

http://www.waterlesscarwashproducts.com/exterior-products/dri-wash-n-guard-premium-metal-polish

[John Schmidt]

If its too loud, you're too old.
========================================
Yeah, that will really endear you to about 50% of the membership.    I'll withhold my usual comeback, but good luck on your changeover anyway. The stuff 98 Pacecar mentioned will work in many situations, possibly yours.

[Len]

I will try the product 98Pacecar provided the link to...my Cobras are blued slightly.  I have considered powder coat and ceramic, but I hate to sit it down that long. 

As for noise, I installed baffles ordered from Cobra, and the sound is music to my ears.

[John Schmidt]

Don't get me wrong, I like the sound of those pipes as well. A buddy added an extra length of baffle to his wife's Cobra's. He bought an extra set, cut one in half and welded it to the end of the existing baffles. Really nice sound, not quite as sharp a bark but you knew when they arrived.

[haulzazz]

First off, thanks to 98PaceCar for the recommendation .  I had never heard of this before but am definitely willing to give this product a try before resorting to header wrap.  Am wondering if 0000 steel wool is required during application or just a rag & elbow grease.  Len, would appreciate if you post or PM me with your results once you have tried it on your Cobras.  I have several riding buddies here in San Antonio with the Cobras & their header pipes look awful--they will be thrilled to hear about this product.

Although I don't have a lot of posts under my new screen handle, I have been on this forum off/on for about 14 years and read/heard many of the discussions on loud pipes.  My intent was not to start or revive any discussions on whether loud pipes actually save lives (some of my brothers in CMA wear that patch on their colors).   I believe it all boils down to personal preference--some people like loud pipes for the same reason the gal with the Sportster likes her pipes blued-out and I spent over 20 years of my life with 4 overseas tours to make sure that we all have the freedom to make those personal choices.  I am really only interested in a good looking & sounding set of pipes that do not have the blue/brown discoloration on the headers.  Not sure if I will leave the baffles in or take them out on my Cobras but will definitely follow up on PaceCar's recommendation (especially if Len has good luck with it!).

Thanks again, 98PaceCar!

[jimmytee]

I'm pessimistic about what to expect from the product 98pacecar recommended, but I went ahead and ordered a bottle through Amazon. We'll see. I have used Blue Magic with some small improvement.

[98pacecar]

You just need elbow grease n' a rag.

It does take some time, several applications depending on how bad your header pipes have gotten?

I've managed to even remove dark blue/purple with a bit of time,,, invested...

Also, for some reason,,,, it isn't as effective on stainless, as it is on chrome...    ???

[Momz]

If its too loud, you're too old.  I know it's cliche, but the MarkT M2W conversion just doesnt provide the same sound & fun factor as the 2Bros/Cobra 6X6.  That said, I broke down & bought another set of 6X6 pipes from Cobra.  I was going to take them in and have the front header pipes ceramic coated after being quoted an estimate of $150.  Unfortunately, when I actually brought them in is when I told OBTW, there is an additional charge of $300 for prep & tax.  As much as I like the ceramic coating look and benefits, Im not sure I can justify another $450.

TIA, Fred

You can get the same effect for a lot less.

Have the pipes sandblasted (usually very inexpensive), paint the pipes with "Rustoleum brush on BBQ paint". Let dry thouroghly and reapply. When thouroghly dry again, use a "Scotchbrite" pad to smooth out any brush marks.

Now hang them from the rafters and use "Rustoleum BBQ spray paint". It will give you a beautiful satin black finish for a fraction of ceramic coating and is virtually impervious to chipping and it will never burn off.

[pancho]

This is what the Rustoleum job Momz explained looks like.

[Ricky-D]

As with any abrasive, you'll be removing chrome when you employ the polish.

Most aftermarket chrome items are flash plated - meaning very thin chrome.

One starting polishing chrome you can't go back.

That's then to keep the rust at bay.

***

[haulzazz]

I have restored several early 70 GM A-bodies and spent many hours sand/bead blasting before using various Rustoleum and POR products with great results.  I think if I were to take the approach suggested by Momz, I would actually use the POR manifold grey or silver paint instead of Rustoleum BBQ Black.  I did several sets of Chevy small block cast iron manifolds that looked great and never discolored after reinstallation (and was a fraction of the cost that Jet-Hot charged to ceramic coat my big block manifolds).  Personally, I have never been a fan of the blacked out/NightHawk look on bikes and have already spent a fortune on chrome accessories so am trying to stay with that black & chrome contrast theme.

Although the Dri Wash 'n Guard product description claims there are no abrasives, Ricky-D brings up a good point about long-term effects on the chrome plating. If memory serves me right, the chrome plating was a little better/thicker on my 2-Bros than my Cobras.  How hard is it to keep the header chrome looking good once the blue/brown is removed and will continued use of the product eventually cause thin spots/rust on the chrome?    Any historical evidence or pics you can provide for us based on your experience, 98pacecar?

[98pacecar]

  Any historical evidence or pics you can provide for us based on your experience, 98pacecar?

At one time several years ago as a hobby,  I used to buy Kawasaki  Z-1's  KZ 900's n' 1000's, 1973 thru 1980.

I'd restore them to good looking/running bikes and sell em. I've done dozens, of em..  

Some had factory exhausts, some had aftermarket. I used this on all headers (n' some collectors) that needed it.

At that time I also did a  1973 root beer n' orange factory spec, ground up, restoration I kept in my living room. It had brand new ($1300 at that time) 4 into 4 pipes. that I used, this product, on.

My point?  most of the bikes went on down the road, but my keeper sold after several years (got married wifey didn't want it in her living room)       and the pipes still looked perfect,,, when it sold.

Other than that,,, I have no further evidence,, to offer..     

[haulzazz]

My point?  most of the bikes went on down the road, but my keeper sold after several years (got married wifey didn't want it in her living room)       and the pipes still looked perfect,,, when it sold.  [/quote]

Assuming that your "keeper" was driven on a regular basis in the Florida humidity, thats a fairly convincing testimony.  For $12 bucks a bottle, I certainly think its worth a try!

[98pacecar]

Assuming that your "keeper" was driven on a regular basis in the Florida humidity, thats a fairly convincing testimony.  For $12 bucks a bottle, I certainly think its worth a try!

Yes it was,,,, ridden quite a bit.   

 but,, it' lived,,,, in the air conditioned living room....     

Once it was booted, out to the garage,,, I had to sell it,, as I couldn't watch all that work, go down hill...