Melted plastic bag on header...how to remove?

[Jersey mike]

So I went out for a ride today...wasn't too cold, but anyway, a couple plastic shopping bags were blowing around in traffic. I managed to dodge one but the second got sucked under the bike and melted to one of the headers on the left side. 

When I got a chance, I pulled into a WaWa and scraped off what I could with a piece of wood mulch, I got off about 60%+ but there is still some left. Anyone one have any ideas how to get rid of the rest?

[gordonv]

I know this has come up before (plastic, shoe rubber, etc..), but I can't remember any of the good ones. Try a search, try "melted rubber" instead.

[Jess from VA]

I got a whole cleaner bag on my Vette hooker headers. What a job to get off.

You could try oven cleaner.  First, I would try heating up the pipes just enough to make the goo soft, then carefully scrape as much as you can get off (gloves or burned fingers).  Then maybe oven cleaner or WD 40 (maybe engine degreaser) and OOOO steel wool (but do not scrub hard).  

[Jersey mike]

Question;

The melted stuff is on the middle header...why just that one I have no idea, would it be ok to use a stick lighter to heat up the metal on that one header or even a propane torch...on a low setting?

[SpidyJ]

MEK or Acetone might work.

[Jess from VA]

I'm no expert but you risk discoloring the chrome.  Go slow and watch out for it.

How about one of those little box ceramic heaters aimed up at the work? (except I think most new ones have those mercury tip over switches, so they auto shut off if not level)

Or just fire the bike up for 3-4 minutes, shut it down and go to work.  

[idaida98]

Good off

[sandy]

Smart n Final sells a product called CarbonOff. It removes boot soles from the exhaust.

[Steel cowboy]

I have used acitone when my girlfriend's boots rubb and leave residue on my pipes. I use a blue shop towel and I let the pipes warm up at idle. I would not use a torch, there is good chance you could discolor the chrome.

[Ramie]

I've always used crunched up aluminum foil and water,  I get the pipes hot then dipping the foil in water wipe off as much of the plastic as I can then use something like oven cleaner if there is much left.  (It won't scratch the chrome)

[msb]

Never-Dull ... comes in a tin in the form of wadding. Have used this for decades for cleaning rubber off pipes, and also works well on tarnished chrome, etc. Just bought a tin a couple years ago so should still be around.

[jdp]

Someone told me once to rub a penny on it and it should come over off, I've never had to do it so don't get mad if it doesn't work, also a ball of tin foil too, again never had to use this

[Lyonardo]

I wear Doc Martens when I ride, and the rubber heel always seems to get melted on the pipes. I use cheap oven cleaner on the hot pipes and that does the job without messing up the finish.
L

[BnB Tom]

 "Heavy Duty Easy Off Oven Cleaner".
Spray on when pipes are warm.  Let set.  Wipe it off.  Repeat as necessary.
Easiest way I've heard of and/or tried myself.
  --  Melted part of a heel on my boot to my Cobra 6x2 exhaust.  Worked great!!

[doubletee]

"Heavy Duty Easy Off Oven Cleaner".
Spray on when pipes are warm.  Let set.  Wipe it off.  Repeat as necessary.
Easiest way I've heard of and/or tried myself.
  --  Melted part of a heel on my boot to my Cobra 6x2 exhaust.  Worked great!!

This does work, but be very careful not to get any on painted surfaces! Don't ask me how I know.

[SpidyJ]

......and don't breathe the fumes FGS!     

[Brian]

Someone told me once to rub a penny on it and it should come over off, I've never had to do it so don't get mad if it doesn't work, also a ball of tin foil too, again never had to use this

Yes a penny works great, I use this method to remove the road crap like asphalt specks. I showed this trick to a fellow biker when his rain pants melted on the pipes of his HD. I have yet to try the aluminum foil method. I have heard it wells too.

[O-B-1]

Never-Dull ... comes in a tin in the form of wadding. Have used this for decades for cleaning rubber off pipes, and also works well on tarnished chrome, etc. Just bought a tin a couple years ago so should still be around.

Must be a veteran... All those brass door knobs and the Navy with all it's brass ship fittings... LOL... I is one... Never Dull was a good item to keep around.