rust and chrome not good mix

[dschmitta]

Hey everyone,

own 1080 11g. put away for winter. I did it as simple as I could(which means the lazy way) by just treating fuel, mixing well, and running to make sure mixed into carb bowls. Just figured I'd go out once a weak and start and run for charge and warm engine up. Well, forgot to plug exhaust in between warmups and pipes got loaded with mice nests. Didn't notice until smelled something funny and saw smoke pouring from pipes. Anyway, I decided to take off pipes and clean them out.(Yes, I plugged front cylinder openings well), but when I got pipes off, on the underneath, all four are rusting. Didn't notice while riding, even though I cleaned and polished them because the tops are nice and shiny! I even worked the polish behind pipes but didn't feel any resistance to lead me in that direction. How do I get the rust off of the pipes with minimal damage to the good chrome? Any ideas greatly appreciated. Thanks. Dave

[CatatonicBug]

You could try electrolysis, like in this thread. Looks like it did a REALLY good job on those pipes!

[XSive Okie]

I believe #0000 steel wool works pretty good.

[ThrottleJunky]

This guy has some pretty good before and after pictures to back up his method:

http://www.vintagebmx.com/community/index.php?showtopic=4004702

[figman]

SOS pads may aid in removal of the rust on the underside of the pipes..

[DAVINCI]

Scrub with aluminum foil and coca-cola. Phosphoric acid in the cola dissolves rust

[thecamelman79]

Depends alot on how bad they are and what kind time you wanna put it to it. Belive it or not I have had great luck with http://www.acehardwareoutlet.com/pro...rce=GoogleBase turtle wax chrome polish and rust remover and a tooth brush for light to med rust. Which from you description sound like what you got.
But as C-Bug said, I have found electrolisiys to be the difinative rust remover with out damaging your chrome.
~Camel

[crazy steve]

Yeah, I'm a polish-and-toothbrush guy too (although I'll use a SS brush on heavy rust) as that seems to do the least damage to the plating that remains.

One thing about rust though; once it's shown up, it'll be back faster so regular polishing/waxing needs to be done more often...

[dschmitta]

Depends alot on how bad they are and what kind time you wanna put it to it. Belive it or not I have had great luck with http://www.acehardwareoutlet.com/pro...rce=GoogleBase turtle wax chrome polish and rust remover and a tooth brush for light to med rust. Which from you description sound like what you got.
But as C-Bug said, I have found electrolisiys to be the difinative rust remover with out damaging your chrome.
~Camel

I know I found a site to show how to set up the electrolysis method somewhere on this site, do you know where by chance? There used to be a link, or maybe you could explain it. I really would appreciate it. Pipes definately are in need and I have at least a month or two until riding time in Pa. thanks.Dave

[cywelchjr]

Yeah, I'm a polish-and-toothbrush guy too (although I'll use a SS brush on heavy rust) as that seems to do the least damage to the plating that remains.

One thing about rust though; once it's shown up, it'll be back faster so regular polishing/waxing needs to be done more often...

That or a good ceramic coating or powdercoating. I've not heard of anybody having good luck with paint under those conditions.

[Wet Rock]

Camelmans thread

I know I found a site to show how to set up the electrolysis method somewhere on this site, do you know where by chance? There used to be a link, or maybe you could explain it. I really would appreciate it. Pipes definately are in need and I have at least a month or two until riding time in Pa. thanks.Dave

You can try the NAKED BOY thread....Page 5 when youre not logged in

[Poprock]

0000 steel wool will scratch chrome on exhaust pipes. Only do that if you plan to go for Jet Hot coating soon. That stuff is good, BTW. Looks good, lasts a very long time, pipes run cooler.