There is a simple reason your motorcycle exhaust pipes might have turned blue. Essentially, the metal becomes discolored as a result of the heat of the exhaust going through the pipes. … Heat turns chrome blue, but if your exhaust pipe is made of stainless steel, the excessive heat will turn it golden color.
Why are my motorcycle pipes turning blue?
The reason why a motorcycle exhaust pipe turn blue is because of the excessive heat going through the exhaust pipe. The metal forms an oxidized layer due to the extreme heat, which colors the exhaust pipe blue. The main causes for this excessive heat are: Lean air-fuel mixture in the engine.
Does stainless steel exhaust change color?
Good-quality stainless steel normally turns this color when exposed to repeated heat cycles, and will even turn blue if it gets hot enough. The “golding” should be considered normal and not a defect.
What do blue exhaust pipes mean?
Motorcycle exhaust pipes turn blue as a result of extreme heat passing through them. This is usually caused by the motorcycle running lean, meaning there is too much air and too little gas being mixed together which causes a higher temperature to pass through the exhaust pipes.Do stainless steel headers turn blue?
Stainless-steel headers can also be quite shiny when they’re polished, but they do discolor to a hot-metal shade of tawny gold, fading to cobalt blue around the hottest areas.
How hot do exhaust pipes get motorcycle?
What is the normal operating temperature for a motorcycle? Well, the average temperature in an exhaust pipe can be between 700-1400 degrees Fahrenheit, which is very compared to normal heat and capable of causing heavy damage and burn when touched.
How do you keep stainless steel heads from turning blue?
Repop stainless pipes turn golden brown. You can polish them with Blue Away or polish them more with Mother’s or Simichrome polish and get rid of it, but it will come right back.
How do you remove heat stains from motorcycle exhaust?
- Let your pipes cool before attempting to work on your bike.
- Dampen a tack cloth with water, then sprinkle cleaning powder on the rag. Use motorcycle cleaning powder designed to remove heat discoloration, or “bluing.”
- Rub the powder into your pipes to create a thick paste.
How do I get rid of blue tip exhaust?
The solution to removing blueing on chrome (as well as blueing on stainless steel) is to polish the metal with a slightly abrasive chemical that will scrape off the oxidized layer.
Can you remove bluing from stainless steel?The good news about this new color on your stainless steel is that it is easy to get rid of. If you are looking for an inexpensive way to clean the surface, then look no further than regular white vinegar. Dilute some vinegar in water and use a nonabrasive cloth or sponge to rub down the surface that has been affected.
Article first time published onWhat are motorcycle exhaust pipes made of?
Most exhausts are built from steel pipe and then are chromed or ceramic coated. They can be built from stainless steel and other alloys. Whatever the material is, it needs to be able to withstand the tremendous heat needed for bending the tube.
How do you remove heat stains from stainless steel exhaust?
Moisten a soft cloth with club soda. Rub it over the heat stain using a circular motion. Turn the cloth to a clean portion as needed and apply additional club soda to keep the surface moist. Even more prominent stains can be removed with this method, however, it will take some time and elbow grease to get the job done.
Can you re chrome motorcycle exhaust pipes?
The downpipes, exhaust pipes and tailpipes may be rechromed by a novice. There are books that will walk you step by step through the process. However, silencers may not be rechromed and should be purchased anew.
How do you clean burnt motorcycle pipes?
- Paint Remover (works well for burnt on rain suits)
- Generic oven cleaner.
- Acetone (found in most fingernail polish removers)
- Carb cleaners / starters.
- Mineral Spirits, Paint Thinners, Gasoline, Diesel, etc.
- WD-40, Goof off, etc.
How do you remove tarnish from chrome exhaust?
If your chrome is badly tarnished or rusty, try cleaning it with aluminum foil. Doing so is a simple matter of cutting a square of aluminum foil, crumpling it a bit and then dipping it in some warm water or vinegar.
What is ceramic coating on headers?
A ceramic header coating also provides protection against the corrosive materials in the exhaust. Ceramic is a highly durable substance that resists corrosion and stands up to a large amount of abuse. Properly coated headers are thus much more durable than the thinner pipes of uncoated headers.
Should you paint stainless steel headers?
Stainless steel is a nonporous, durable surface, ill-suited for paint adhesion. … You must condition the exhaust with a special aesthetic primer, capable of etching steel surfaces. You must also select a paint that will remain durable over a long period of time.
Can you Cerakote exhaust?
Cerakote offers multiple colors that offer temperature stability in the 1200°F to 1800°F range. … Each color has a different chemistry! Cerakote performs incredibly well at high temperatures which is why it has become the coating of choice for exhaust and engine parts.
How do you polish exhaust headers?
- Materials Needed. …
- Step 1: Clean with soapy water. …
- Step 2: Dry completely. …
- Step 3: Lay newspaper out on work area. …
- Step 4: Spray and rub brake cleaner. …
- Step 5: Apply metal polish to the header. …
- Step 6: Rinse off the excess metal polish with plain water. …
- Step 7: Apply soapy water once more.
Can you paint motorcycle exhaust pipes?
Motorcycle exhaust can be painted with high temperature paints. The paint will prevent rust formation, withstands heat and enhances the aesthetics of the motorcycle. Painting a motorcycle exhaust will roughly take 5 to 6 hours.
Does removing baffles hurt engine?
Removing baffles on your motorcycle will not directly harm or damage the engine. However, it may result in the engine running leaner, causing a problem with its performance and complications to the emissions. Removing the baffle does not add any performance benefit or enhancements to the engine.
What is the hottest part of the exhaust system?
- Typically the exhaust system or the catalytic converter surfaces are the hottest on a vehicle. …
- Exhaust manifold temperatures vary for different vehicles and operating conditions. …
- Catalytic converter temperatures also vary for different vehicles and operating conditions. …
- Peak temperatures occur at road load, not idle.
Can you wax chrome exhaust?
Chief. Most wax companies will not recommend waxing chrome. Windex is probably your best bet.
Does wd40 clean exhaust tips?
Just for the record, when the tips are warm, the WD-40 works really good, but watch out on hot exhausts because WD-40 is flammable. (but after you wipe it down you’re good). Don’t burn yourself on hot tips, the method works just as well on cold exhausts.
How do you flush an exhaust system?
- Gather Your Materials. Get all your supplies together before you begin. …
- Use Soap and Water to Clean the Exhaust Pipe. Using soap and water, clean the outside of the pipe with an old rag. …
- Apply Degreaser. …
- Remove Degreaser. …
- Apply Metal Polish. …
- Remove Polish.
Why do chrome exhaust pipes turn blue?
There is a simple reason your motorcycle exhaust pipes might have turned blue. Essentially, the metal becomes discolored as a result of the heat of the exhaust going through the pipes. … Heat turns chrome blue, but if your exhaust pipe is made of stainless steel, the excessive heat will turn it golden color.
Do blue exhaust tips fade?
It will eventually start to fade some after 5-7yrs of use. Its not enough to not still see well. But it does fade a bit.
How do you remove rust from exhaust tips?
Soak an old rag or a cheap dishcloth in the vinegar and wrap it around the rusted area of the exhaust. The longer you leave the cloth in place, the better the results will be. After you have let it rest for a while, take away the cloth and wipe down the pipe with water to clear away the loosened rust.
How do you get blue heat marks off stainless steel?
Rub some club soda, vinegar, and polish with a soft cloth. Using the soft cloth, going with the grain of the stainless steel, rub until the discoloration has been removed. Rinse with warm water and dry.
What causes blue stains on stainless steel?
The blue normally is from oxidation caused by the high temperature and oxygen in the air. Organic material will bake on at this temp and will cause the blue to be very hard to remove as it is now an organo-metallic.
What does it mean when stainless steel turns blue?
While this technique may seem basic to some of you — cooking on high heat can burn food and give you less flexibility as you cook — stainless steel will discolor from constant high heat. This discoloration is sometimes known as “bluing.” Over time, oils can accumulate on your pan.
