rusty exhaust

[verngroves]

I've been on this site before and have appreciated all I've learned while being here. I've a 2000 Standard with 50,000 miles on her. My exhaust is n longer shiny. It hasn't been in awhile. It's rusty, but the metal is solid. What is the best way to clean that up and could I have it powder coated afterwards or ceramic ? or painted?

I've tried using chrome polish and ooo steel wool and mostly it does not work.

Or, would I be better served to replace the exhaust? I have Jardin muffler pipes and they are fine and I like their sound. So, I'm just concerned with the main exhaust from the engine to the mufflers.

Thanks in advance for any help you might be able to send my direction.

[twdurdentwd]

Sand em and have em powder or ceramic coated.... Then follow up with some pics!

[verngroves]

If I am to sand them is there a particular grit that is recommended? Do the sanding by hand or us an orbital or a vibrating sander more feasible. What might be best?

Again, thanks in advance for all input.

[Gavin_Sons]

Are you talking about the headers or the chrome covers? If it is the headers get some VHT header paint and paint them. Wont be shiny but will look better than rust.

[Jess from VA]

Someone on here had a simple chemical that does a number on rust.

Mike?

[hubcapsc]

Oxalic acid makes rust go away, but not pitting... I think rusty headers probably need to
be painted or coated somehow...









My 70,000 mile headers still shine up nice... if you're reading this and you
don't already get down on your back and clean your headers up with
some regularity, yours will get rusted too... I clean mine with a
dobie pad...



-Mike

[verngroves]

Gavin_Sons, there are chrome covers? I don't have any, just the headers. I think I'll check out that Oxalic Acid. Where might that be purchased?

Thanks for everybody's feedback. Tis the season to work on the bike....little cold though @ - 11 below zero. this morning.

[da prez]

White vinegar will work with steel wool. Wrap a vinegar soaked rag around them and after soaking , steel wool the rust off, If it is pitting , the rust will return.

                                      da prez 

[salty1]

I've had real good luck with Evapo-Rust available at a Harbor Freight store. If you coat your pipes, I would suggest you talk with the vendor before hand about the prep work.

[verngroves]

Thanks all....will work on it sometime later this week, if schedule allows. Will let you know how it all turns out..

[Gavin_Sons]

Gavin_Sons, there are chrome covers? I don't have any, just the headers. I think I'll check out that Oxalic Acid. Where might that be purchased?

Thanks for everybody's feedback. Tis the season to work on the bike....little cold though @ - 11 below zero. this morning.

I think it was cobra that made the covers, if you can find a set you will find it's  cheaper to buy a nice used exhaust.

[quexpress]

The front header portion is made of stainless steel and can be polished. 

See this thread:

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,69525.0.html

[salty1]

The front header portion is made of stainless steel and can be polished. 

See this thread:

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,69525.0.html

Thanks for bringing the above thread out of the "archives". I missed it the first time around.

[Gavin_Sons]

http://www.vhtpaint.com/products/flameproof/

Everyone says get them ceramic coated but what they dont know is that the VHT paint is ceramic based. You can get it in several different colors also.

[verngroves]

I worked on the exhaust just a little over this past weekend. With a lot of elbow grease, a drill with a buffing pad and compound, I've got the one side of pipes looking much better than they were. In fact, I'm quite pleased with that side.

Now I will need to work on the other side. Don't quite know when that will happen, but it will be within the next couple of weeks. The other side of exhaust is in my basement on my bench. Much warmer there and when time allows I'll work on that side.

Thanks for all of your comments and help in this project. When I'm all done, I'll post some pictures.