Stainless Steel Cleaner For Headers

Dupain · Postby **Dupain** » Sat Jul 19, 2014 2:32 am

I want to clean my 2nd hand header before installation.

Have tried CLR 50:50 with water but was not that successful.

There's a product called Stain-Magic by Yoshimura but need to buy it online.

The youtube below shows by applying the cream to the header the discolouration/rust comes off easily (don't want to spend hours with wet sand paper etc).

I want to work on the headers this weekend.

What similar effective products to Stain-Magic would do the job that I can purchase at Bunnings?

Thanks

green_comet · Postby **green_comet** » Sat Jul 19, 2014 8:50 am

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.

green_comet · Postby **green_comet** » Sat Jul 19, 2014 9:28 am

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.

Dupain · Postby **Dupain** » Sat Jul 19, 2014 11:16 am

Thanks gc.

taminga16 · Postby **taminga16** » Sat Jul 19, 2014 12:34 pm

Purchase a spray can of "Bug and Tar" remover.
Greg.

Dupain · Postby **Dupain** » Sun Jul 20, 2014 7:49 am

green_comet wrote: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.

Someone is not happy with me doing this in the kitchen. :roll:

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Sun Jul 20, 2014 2:04 pm

and oxalic acid comes with safety warning as well- the kitchen is not the right place.

Dupain · Postby **Dupain** » Sun Jul 20, 2014 5:28 pm

Mr Morlock wrote:and oxalic acid comes with safety warning as well- the kitchen is not the right place.

Why? I like to eat burgers when I work on the car. By the way I'm a Chemical Engineer.

Dupain · Postby **Dupain** » Sun Jul 20, 2014 9:05 pm

After 12 hrs.

The flange which does not get as hot as the pipe is well cleaned. The pipes are clean but some may need more time and a more concentrated formula.

Will dry it off and do a light polish with the Dremel.

Taking the :NA8:

to the mechanic tomorrow, I did not know MX5 mania was located in country NSW, Dural. So I might ask them to put it on also to make the trip worthwhile.

Otherwise it would be good to put it in the bath for a few days when my wife is away next week.

green_comet · Postby **green_comet** » Sun Jul 20, 2014 9:42 pm

Good to see it's working for you. :wink:

fastfreddygassit · Postby **fastfreddygassit** » Sun Jul 20, 2014 10:51 pm

Dupain wrote:
Mr Morlock wrote:and oxalic acid comes with safety warning as well- the kitchen is not the right place.

Why? I like to eat burgers when I work on the car. By the way I'm a Chemical Engineer.

Oops, Morlock got PWNED! :NETPOINTZ:

Dupain · Postby **Dupain** » Sun Jul 20, 2014 11:17 pm

green_comet wrote:Good to see it's working for you.

As you can see from the pics some parts came out looking brand new and bright as and others still have some sort of very thin non rust residue/film. Thinking that these headers were wrapped and those stains were from the wrapping over time.

I not saying the header has beaten me but I'm going to leave it as is, can't afford more time on it to get it 100%. Thanks for your help gc.