Removing rust from pipes

brixtonsaint · Post by **brixtonsaint** » Thu Jul 07, 2011 1:32 pm

Can anyone recommend a product for removing rust and discoloration from the pipes? Mine are not bad, especially considering the age. They aren't rusted through. This is striclty cosmetic.

Thanks

Darryl.Richman · Post by **Darryl.Richman** » Thu Jul 07, 2011 10:16 pm

You can remove rust from your pipes, but they only rust because the chrome is shot. The rust will be back shortly. And even with the rust gone, you'll be looking at mild steel. I would use 0000 steel wool or a Scotchbrite pad to clean it up.

If, by discoloration, you mean the bluing that all BMW twins get at the cylinder head end of their pipes, you can use specialized products like Blue-Away or, with a bit more elbow grease, any metal polish. But again, it will just return, because BMW has (almost - the R1200C is the exception) never used double walled headers to prevent the bluing.

If you mean something more like tar, plastic or rubber that is melted to the exhaust, I would get the exhaust really warmed up and scrape it off, again with 0000 steel wool or a Scotchbrite pad. Some say that oven cleaner will remove those kinds of things, but I've never tried it and would worry about creating another discoloration problem.

brixtonsaint · Post by **brixtonsaint** » Fri Jul 08, 2011 9:39 am

Darryl,

Thanks for the reply. I just want to "clean up" the rusty looking section below. I zoomed in on them in the picture below. I am not the best mechanic so i need easy projects to give me a sense of accomplishment!

Darryl.Richman · Post by **Darryl.Richman** » Fri Jul 08, 2011 10:05 am

You have an interesting set of 2 into 1 headers on that bike! As I said, you can clean off the surface rust but it will be back. The way to get rid of it is to remove the headers and have them rechromed. I haven't done any chrome work lately, but I bet that it costs about $250.

schrader7032 · Post by **schrader7032** » Fri Jul 08, 2011 10:36 am

I hope you've accounted for that extra 6 inches of fuel line in your carb synching!!

) Does gas run uphill??

R.D.Green · Post by **R.D.Green** » Fri Jul 08, 2011 11:43 am

Darryl - - Regarding double-walled headers, I've read somewhere (but have never bothered to confirm) that the original headers on /5's (or maybe just the early /5's) were double-walled. Mine have turned a light tan color right near the heads but have never blued out in forty years of ownership. I've seen a lot of other /5's without bluing as well so there may be something to it.

Richard

schrader7032 · Post by **schrader7032** » Fri Jul 08, 2011 11:46 am

I thought the issue was also whether the headers were stainless or chrome.

brixtonsaint · Post by **brixtonsaint** » Fri Jul 08, 2011 12:31 pm

I hope so too! Seems to run fine.

brixtonsaint · Post by **brixtonsaint** » Fri Jul 08, 2011 1:02 pm

The PO was pretty excited about the 2 into 1. Sounds pretty good, not too loud.

schrader7032 · Post by **schrader7032** » Fri Jul 08, 2011 1:35 pm

I'd be curious if you find any different jetting in the carbs because of the aftermarket exhaust. I would think that jetting might have to change in order to accomodate the different exhaust.