Bad paint job or just aging?

[LabidySabidy]

I'm interested in cleaning up my XS11 a bit and something that really bothers me are these pipes. I noticed the exhaust itself was painted (poorly) and has begun chipping, and I assume I could just use some aircraft remover to take care of that. But I have done a bit of research and am pretty sure the pipes are black chrome, so I'm not quite sure what to do about that. Also the paint on the carbs is beginning to chip off so I wanted to know if it was safe to paint them with a brush. Thanks as always.

(This is my XS11 let me know your thoughts on her)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzP...ew?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzP...ew?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzP...ew?usp=sharing

Regards, Kasim

[Tenorman]

Here are my thoughts....

I cleaned my black chrome pipes with SOS pads...the steel wool cleans while the soap lubricates. I don't think mine were as rusty but it's worth a shot.

OR...I've seen them wrapped...another option...or powder coating...I've seem some here that have been powder coated that look really great...not original, but looks good!

I would touch-up thte carbs with a brush for the time being and if the mood strikes, you can always pull them and spray from a rattle can.

Tenorman

[kboehringer]

Avoid Header Wrap.

I've seen them wrapped...

FYI. Wrapping OEM pipes (and aftermarket pipes) is not at all a good idea. Most "Car Guys" stopped using wrap on pipes/headers many years ago as it SIGNIFICANTLY promotes rusting by holding water up on the pipe. We often use a piece of wrap to protect a plug wire in a tight spot (usually on a SBC) but rarely do we see it used anymore in the hobby/restoration car arena. REAL competition race cars sometimes still use it to maintain heat & promote scavenging.

In addition, the double-wall OEM Yamaha pipes have small drain holes at the bottom on the outer layer. Wrapping around/near those will GUARANTEE a even faster rust out. You'll do much more harm than good with header wrap! Sometimes looks pretty cool but will damage the pipes.

Slightly more than just my personal opinions, very much common knowledge in the "Car-Guy" world to stay away from header wrap.


KURT

[soccer4m]

pipes

Howdy Labidy,,,I had the same bike awhile back, and redid the pipes with the good quality high temp satin paint from Home Depot, the bbq paint. Just sand down all the pipes and header pipes, sand with 200 grit, then spray a few coats of the paint and it will hold up and look good for years. The original Yamaha paint used is, I believe, unavailable as it was a one off for the midnight special and coated at the factory...so keep it simple and it will look very good......have fun,,,,,,,,Mike in Sun Diego

[kboehringer]

Black Chrome

The original Yamaha paint used.

I have absolutely NO first-hand knowledge having never owned a MNS but I've READ in several posts/locations that the MNS pipes are "BLACK CHROME" a special process developed/pioneered by Yamaha for those bikes. I believe that the OEM owners manual had very special instructions for care of them.

Others with much better knowledge will certainly chime in on this topic.......

KURT

[donebysunday]

I bought but have not used yet the Duplicolor 2000° flat black and clear. Tried it on some old junk steel and looked good. Can't say good or bad until I really use it on headers.

I have absolutely NO first-hand knowledge having never owned a MNS but I've READ in several posts/locations that the MNS pipes are "BLACK CHROME" a special process developed/pioneered by Yamaha for those bikes. I believe that the OEM owners manual had very special instructions for care of them.

Others with much better knowledge will certainly chime in on this topic.......

KURT

[Ranger_xs1100]

header paint

Hi, I rattle can spray painted my headers. The first couple of coats were with a very high heat (it is called either engine or header 1500 paint). The 500 degree paint will burn right off, so use the 1500. Shortly after the paint dried, I started the bike up and let the pipes get hot for a few minutes. I did this several times to bake the paint. That type of engine paint is not real shiny though so I basically just used it as a primer. The next couple of coats I sprayed on was with
"rustoleum high heat ultra".
I think it is a 1200 degree glossy paint. It still looks good one year later.

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