What do you use to clean stainless steel parts? (such as exhaust piping)
and is there any kind of 'stuff' that would prevent future possible problems ?

I have been looking thru google and saw a few things that look interesting but since I never used anything of this type before I was hoping for some first hand experience.

show me what you use(d) and tell me where you got it from please.

thanks.

 

i use "nevr-dull" on my stainless.

http://www.eagleone.com/_products/0,1035605.asp

you can get it at pep boys.

 

Rob, I use Zep Stainless Steel Cleaner - you can get it at Home Depot. Works well on aluminum as well.

I've been meaning to try some of this:

http://www.s100.com/s100_fr.htm

 

I've seen great things on the S100

 

I use something called Xtreme Metal Polish. I bought it like 10 years ago and I'm almost out. I used it to polish my an-r header before I started the car for the first time and it kep the header from getting all nasty. It's good stuff I just don't know where to find it now.

 

OK, my bad...

The pipes are not polished SS...

these are what the pipes look like, but the one I'll be getting are way dirtier

 

Below are some before and after pictures of a used JDM ITR 4-1 header that I bought and cleaned up and the products that I used. HTH

BEFORE:




AFTER:







Here is the procedure I went through to clean up and polish the header.

I initially used a 3M metal finishing pad that I got from Home Depot, which removed almost all of the rust. I then took some 150 grit fine sand paper to remove the remaining rust marks. I did use some 120 grit paper on the bend parts of the tubes, because they all had pit parts. The 120 grit paper did a good job of removing the pit parts. I then used some 600 grit wet/dry sand paper (I used it dry), which started to give the header a polished look. Then I tried some Mothers mag and aluminum polish, which gave it a really nice polished appearance.

I then decided to purchase two 2.5" and one 4" polishing wheels which came with some polishing/rubbing compound. I used the polishing wheels with a drill.

I also used a Dremel with a little wire brush to clean off some of the rust from the header flange. I then bought some stuff from Home Depot which "eats" off the rust. The stuff comes in a white spray bottle and it is called THE MUST FOR RUST rust remover & inhibitor. I sprayed the entire flange and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes, then I took a old tooth brush and scrubbed the flange. I then resprayed the entire flange again and repeat the process. After about 4-5 times, all the rust was gone!!! The flange is completely rust free now. Now I just need to find out how to prevent it from rusting again. I read on DC Sports website that you can apply WD-40 to the flange periodically to prevent rusting.

 

that header looks fake now with all that shine

How long did all that take you.. I might have to do the same for my 4-1

 

Bbasso, I probably spent about 5 or 6 hours on the header. I haven't installed it yet, so I'm interested to see if it will stay "rust free". Hopefully I can do some periodically minor cleaning to keep the polished look.

 

I know it's going against what you wanted but what about getting it coated, like jetcoating or similar? Rust free for years and guaranteed too.

 

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=433689

Here is an old thread that talks about coating. I'm looking into the jet hot coating

hope that helps

 

i use blue away golf club polish...works ok but needs lots of elbow grease.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BSQ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> I then bought some stuff from Home Depot which "eats" off the rust. The stuff comes in a white spray bottle and it is called THE MUST FOR RUST rust remover & inhibitor. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Only possible problem I see with this is that it's probably not designed for high-temp automotive use.

I would find something that's designed specifically for high temp application.

 

this **** called BOMBZ AWAY rocks. ATHEIST's dad uses it on his harley, it rocks.

 

good work on that header!!!! i don't have the patiences for **** like that....

 

After reading all your posts and searching the www, I'm going to try simplegreen and if that doesn't help or helps it's going on the car.
It's been since Dec 27th since I drove the pos, I need to bring it to a car wash. the last time I drove it was covered in snow and didn't have the time to clean it before hitting the garage

 

Brett totally killed my attempt, but I think I did a pretty good job. This is about 3-4 hours of wetsanding:

 

So I found a cleaner/ polish for the muffler...







Not too shaby.

But f'in FedEx did not deliver all my parts, and the guy had no clue about the other two boxes :angry:

 

How did that mothers work for you? I'm thinking about picking up some.

 

Mothers works well, but be warned that it IS abrasive and will leave small tiny abrasions.

 

VERY VERY EASY
wipe part off first to remove loose dirt.
take damp terry cloth towel fold to fit your finger size.
get a small amount of polish on rag.
rub semi hard in area that needs to be cleaned/polished.
keep rubbing while the polish gets black, that's good.
then wipe off excess.
then buff to shine.

repeat if desired.

pretty easy and worth the time.

I plan on doing the rest of the exhaust once it shows up.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jdmspoonitr &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Mothers works well, but be warned that it IS abrasive and will leave small tiny abrasions.</TD></TR></TABLE>
How does your exhaust look close up? I've normally used polish that is used for furniture and household utensils and would like to see how this compares.

 

Looks fine for a used muffler

 

You can also try Noxon 7 metal polish. Has always worked well for me when cleaning stainless steel.

See attached link for more details:

http://www.netgrocer.com/detai...m=yes