Best Way To Clean Stainless Steel Exhaust Pipes

Stainless steels cannot be passivated unless the surface is clean and free from contamination and scale.

Best way to clean stainless steel exhaust pipes. Neil says some chrome pipes are plated under solution with no oxygen which is unstable. A heavy carb cleanerbrake cleaner then abrade with steel wool metal polish rinse with apc and then coat with a sealant like hydro. Pour out a jug of pimms ice and lemonade put to one side.

The quickest way to get rid of the discolouration is to use an acid to etch away the corrosion. Cut the tubing 2. Just watch out not to splash or paint the cleaing fluid on the the crancase frame or radiator.

If degreasing is thought to be necessary proceed as described in 9322 followed by rinsing with either demineralized or good quality potable water. In a 200 liter plastic drum charge 100 l of demineralized or high quality water. This way good force and movement is applied to let the polish do its job to rub off the rust layer.

You cant attack the stainless steel by over-using this acidic cleaner because stainless steel is impervious. Most of it eventually burned off but I sort of made a mess trying to clean off the residue using 320 grit wetdry paper. The stainless steel has some sort of special coating to prevent it from getting all rusted and stuff.

Deburr the pipe using a bench grinder stone wheel 3. Here is a top tip on how to clean dirty rusty stainless steel exhausts. Clean the edges of the tube with wire wheel on bench grinder 4.

Clean again using a wire wheel 6. Newer pipes respond best. I had a plastic bag cook on my exhaust pipe from the cylinder almost back to the cat.