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Re: Stainless Steel Cleaner For Headers
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2014 8:50 am
by green_comet
I'd give oxalic acid a try. Go to Bunnings and get yourself a 2kg bottle of
Digger Rust & Stain Cleaner and a big tub. Mix up a fairly strong mix of oxalic acid and warm water in the tub outside and submerge your headers in it. Leave the headers in the mix for a couple days, giving them a scrub every now and then with a non-scratch pad (make sure you wear globes). This should remove 95% of that staining. Once they're looking good give em a rinse with clean water and you're good to go.
I've used this stuff on several bike frames and other metal parts and it has always worked great. It's very gentle so you don't have to worry about it ruining your parts. Google search bmx and oxalic acid, the bike guys love it.
Re: Stainless Steel Cleaner For Headers
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2014 9:28 am
by green_comet
Have a look if there's much info on its use with stainless, I didn't have a problem using it with my stainless bike parts, but just make sure before you give it a go, as it might remove that polished surface and make it look more like brushed stainless.
Re: Stainless Steel Cleaner For Headers
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2014 12:34 pm
by taminga16
Purchase a spray can of "Bug and Tar" remover.
Greg.
Re: Stainless Steel Cleaner For Headers
Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2014 2:04 pm
by Mr Morlock
and oxalic acid comes with safety warning as well- the kitchen is not the right place.
Re: Stainless Steel Cleaner For Headers
Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2014 9:42 pm
by green_comet
Good to see it's working for you.

Re: Stainless Steel Cleaner For Headers
Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2014 10:51 pm
by fastfreddygassit
Re: Stainless Steel Cleaner For Headers
Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2014 3:10 am
by greenltd
Is the residual discolouration not just the effects of the exhaust heat?
Re: Stainless Steel Cleaner For Headers
Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2014 11:02 pm
by NitroDann
Dural is out in the country ?

Re: Stainless Steel Cleaner For Headers
Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 1:43 pm
by bruce
Dural sounds like Rural.
Re: Stainless Steel Cleaner For Headers
Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2014 8:17 am
by fastfreddygassit
Great work. Excellent write-up!

Re: Stainless Steel Cleaner For Headers
Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2014 1:29 am
by wun911
I take it is too big to fit in a dish washer?
Re: Stainless Steel Cleaner For Headers
Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2014 1:09 am
by Okibi
Awesome effort!

Re: Stainless Steel Cleaner For Headers
Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2014 12:25 pm
by Mr Morlock
One thing I did not follow is - 600g/L is 6%. and 300g/l is 3%. - would it not be 60G and 30G?. Guess it also must have been powder form i.e. grams
Re: Stainless Steel Cleaner For Headers
Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2014 10:48 am
by cookie
Hi, just wanted to say thanks for the information. Just received my na6 headers and are completely rusted, wire brushed them then sanded one pipe with 120g paper and took forever to find something resembling shiny metal. Would the first product mentioned work in my situation where it's heavily rusted? I like your wheelie bin idea...thankfully no kids/pets around my place and no rush to install


Re: Stainless Steel Cleaner For Headers
Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2014 10:57 am
by lizard
- edit Okibi - no point quoting the post directly above -
Soda blasting is how I would do it
