Cleaning stainless headers?
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TECH Addict
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,620
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From: Central, MA
Cleaning stainless headers? I bought a used (3K mile) set of non-coated stainless headers. Aside from what the name suggest, they definitely DO stain. They've browned over (acceptable/understood), lots of stained looking areas, even some rough sections.
I got out some metal polishing paste, and they started to clean up pretty good. It's going to take a lot of work to get them back to moderately shiny condition. I'm not really looking looking to clean them for looks, more for longevity.
My question is, should I even bother?
Aren't they going to crap up again after my first drive in the rain, nevermind the snow/salt this winter?
If I 'should' clean them:
Is there any reason why I can't take some steel wool to them to help clean up the easily viewed areas?
Should I just send them out to get chemically cleaned?
Thanks,
-marc
I got out some metal polishing paste, and they started to clean up pretty good. It's going to take a lot of work to get them back to moderately shiny condition. I'm not really looking looking to clean them for looks, more for longevity.
My question is, should I even bother?
Aren't they going to crap up again after my first drive in the rain, nevermind the snow/salt this winter?
If I 'should' clean them:
Is there any reason why I can't take some steel wool to them to help clean up the easily viewed areas?
Should I just send them out to get chemically cleaned?
Thanks,
-marc
The oxide is what protects the underlying steel
(particularly the chromium oxide). Unless it's for show
I would leave it be. Though you could probably polish
is every week for the rest of your life and not hurt
anything either. But removing the oxidation is not
going to help any, lifewise, so it's down to effort vs
appearance.
(particularly the chromium oxide). Unless it's for show
I would leave it be. Though you could probably polish
is every week for the rest of your life and not hurt
anything either. But removing the oxidation is not
going to help any, lifewise, so it's down to effort vs
appearance.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,648
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From: F.H,Waterford,Port Huron, MI
If you polish it all to a crazy shine them don't touch it with your dirty hands or any dirt! It will still turn,but it will turn a gold,red,green,blue,purple color! Like a rainbow! But it can only turn that color if it gets super hot! If it doesn't get realy hot it will turn that brow/light golden! I polished my 4wheeler and it took forever but it turned rainbow! On the car I am leaving it as I have cast headers to the turbos then all stainless!
Originally Posted by marc_w
My question is, should I even bother?
Originally Posted by marc_w
Aren't they going to crap up again after my first drive in the rain, nevermind the snow/salt this winter?
