ugly header???

[trailrider894]

i'm looking for a way to maybe polish up my header up or make my FMF Powerbomb header look better. it just looks like crap !!! it looks like it is kinda rusty color from a distance and it just doesn't look good on the bike. anyone have some ideas???

[scuzz]

Is it dirty or just rusty?

[Pappy]

Remove it

Wash it

Sandblast it or take a wire wheel to every inch of it

Rinse it completely with Laquer thinner and let dry

Buy a $6 can of BBQ grill paint (works much better then high temp paints)

Let the pipe warm in the sun then paint it following the directions on the can

Let it run through a few good curing cycles(let the engine idle and fully cool 4 or 5 times) before you wash it or run it in any mud. We have been doing this over other coatings and it has outlasted them all, including ceramic coating and much cheaper to boot.



Moving to the body section so others can find it as it pertains more to cosmetics then powertrain...if noone objects

[trailrider894]

it just lost its factory finish so now it looks ugly.

[scuzz]

Good to know! I was going to give a suggestion but it wasn't anywhere near as good as that.

[trailrider894]

i really want the stainless finish back that it had when i got it.

[quadbod]

If you want the stanless finish back on your header, you need a product like "concept" (http://www.conceptchemicals.com/concept/catalog/productDetails.php?groupid=37&subcatid=18). #

Simply wipe the header over with a sponge full of acid cleaner, leave it for 10-15 minutes and wash off.

If you want to dull the header and paint it, use pappy's method, if you want it as good as it was when you bought it, use an acid alloy wheel cleaner.

Seriously, you don't even have to scrub it, spray it on, it starts to fizz and wash it off. I have been using it for years.

It restores any bare metal back to new, including engines.

[907Rider]

If you use bbq paint make sure you get the highest heat rating you can find. I've used it before and had it burn off.

For headers you really need vht "flame proof" paint, its made for headers and they have a silver color that looks pretty good.

[907Rider]

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

[derrickwade]

Steel wool and metal polish. then buff with a clean rag. Works like charm. Hell, look what I did to my stock head pipe.
http://p1.bikepics.com/pics/2008/07/15/bikepics-1354462-full.jpg

http://p1.bikepics.com/pics/2008/07/15/bikepics-1354461-full.jpg

[Scro]

If you sandblast it, and then go over it with a wire wheel, it will be a nice silver color. If you want black, use Pappy's method.