Cleaning exhaust headers

[Big Phil]

Hi All, Has anyone got any tips and or methods on how to get at and clean the two centre exhaust headers without removing the oil cooler?

[seth]

Harpic max10 bleach wear gloves and put it on with a brush leave 5-10 mins wash off well they'll come up nice .

[Irish in Oz]

Pickling paste.

[KiwiCol]

Agreed, pickling paste does a brilliant job of cleaning up.  Bit hard for most to get hold of though.

[Irish in Oz]

Most good welding suppliers. I can get it on Ebay from England for about 36 quid for 1 Kilo container.
I have some in my workshop as I repaired the filling machines that produce it, real bad shit.
But when I did the 14 headers and collector they did not discolour for a long.... time, just did the Bandit with Autosol and after warming up the tarnish came back.

[Irish in Oz]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pickling-paste-2kg-stainless-welded-joint-cleaner-passivator/261831179489?hash=item3cf65abce1:g:a~4AAOSwzoxeL-Pa

Bonus 2kg.
Its not cheap but it goes a long way. If you know anyone that does Stainless Steel Tig Welding they should be able to help you out.

[Basil Brush]

As Seth says. Providing they are stainless down pipes. Nip to ASDA/Tesco etc. £2-00 a bottle. It's black in appearance (the bottle).  Brilliant stuff far cheaper than anything else on the market. And it does the job.

[Irish in Oz]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPlccjMBaTQ

I have worked on chemical filling machines for 30 years and the only material that stands up to these aclds or alkalines is PVC. I have seen stainless steel mixing tanks worth 20,000 quid destroyed after being cleaned with strong bleach (chlorine).
Pickling paste is made for a reason, cheap isn't always the best.
Your call.

[Kiwifruit]

For what its worth....l use cutting compound and make a ioop around the header with a rag then pull one end then the other. Don't make the rag too thick but helps to make it long. Polish off any excess. Does pay to wash them when you finish.
Cheap and works for me   

Been using an old towelling bathrobe belt but you could get your missus to run one up out of a nice bath towel   ........

[Irish in Oz]

Use Scotchbrite.

[Notty]

don't put the harpic on bathroom tiles - I spent hours cleaning the grouting as it turned blue from the blue harpic - guess it may stain your drive etc 

[Big Phil]

Hi All,
          First off thanks for the replies and advice, which as always is really appreciated. Seems either pickling paste or Harpic is a clear winner but not for me. There are some grim stories out there on the use of these substances and the acids within them. I'm going to try Autosol as my headers just need a polish as they are not discoloured or suffering from corrosion.

Stay safe guys

Regards
Phil

[KoZi]

Harpic is ok to stainless stell but NOT TO CHROME in earliers models ! You will devastete them...

[VladTepes]

I was able to remove my full system without even unscrewing the cooler.
It is a full akropovic exhaust though, that may be different though I don't really see how. Access at the head and oil cooler areas would surely be similar?

[VladTepes]

Oh and it has never occurred to me to use Harpic to clean headers?


This is how I did mine: https://gsx1400owners.org/forum/index.php?topic=3.msg12#msg12
(starts there and continues for a few posts)