Topic: Refurbishing Exhaust Flange Clamps?

[ZTatZAU]

Looking for suggested methods for the best way to clean-up / refurbish these exhaust flange clamps!



Ultrasonic?  Carb Cleaner? Electrolysis?  Evapo-Rust?  Wire wheel?
What works best?  And in what sequence?

Thanks!  ZT

[craz1]

Degrease them and try Evaporust

[ZTatZAU]

Degrease them and try Evaporust

Thanks Craz1, I appreciate your reply?

Anyone else have a favorite tried and true method?

ZT

[Tracksnblades1]

The plating is damaged. So any method of bringing them back to clean, bare steel will be. Required first step. Personally, unless you are going to replate them using a DIY electro plating method, I’d simply use some high heat spray paint or powder coat in a cast aluminum color and call it a day.

Short of a concours restoration, electro plating is a lot more trouble than it’s worth for a “rider” bike. Clean them, protect them, and enjoy the bike. Lots of other bikes to restore and ride…

+1, the chrome plating is gone, I’d follow 737 advise.

Or you could buy new pretty and pricey ones….

[BenelliSEI]

High temp paint or $28 each at vintagecb750.com

[Don R]

 I've had really good luck with a soft wire wheel and then chrome engine paint in between the fins. Those are pretty toasty looking though. 
 My chrome guy advised me it's often cheaper to buy new or better used than paying for chrome plating. I explained to him it was a rolled rear rim and they are going for a grand on ebay. He smiled and said OK then. It came out nice.

[HondaMan]

I've had really good luck with a soft wire wheel and then chrome engine paint in between the fins. Those are pretty toasty looking though. 
 My chrome guy advised me it's often cheaper to buy new or better used than paying for chrome plating. I explained to him it was a rolled rear rim and they are going for a grand on ebay. He smiled and said OK then. It came out nice.

What did he charge? I have 8 or 12 of them I'd like to renew for future builds.

[BenelliSEI]

I've had really good luck with a soft wire wheel and then chrome engine paint in between the fins. Those are pretty toasty looking though. 
 My chrome guy advised me it's often cheaper to buy new or better used than paying for chrome plating. I explained to him it was a rolled rear rim and they are going for a grand on ebay. He smiled and said OK then. It came out nice.

This little stack was Cdn.$1600!

What did he charge? I have 8 or 12 of them I'd like to renew for future builds.

Two fenders, two rims, two speedo/tach plates. Cdn.$1600.

[ZTatZAU]

Thanks everyone!
Your advice is well taken.
ZT

[grcamna2]

I've had really good luck with a soft wire wheel and then chrome engine paint in between the fins. Those are pretty toasty looking though. 
 My chrome guy advised me it's often cheaper to buy new or better used than paying for chrome plating. I explained to him it was a rolled rear rim and they are going for a grand on ebay. He smiled and said OK then. It came out nice.

Don,I've been looking for "chrome engine paint" for years;you know,the type that shines.. I used to get it decades ago,but can not find it anymore.
I've had to settle for flat aluminum Duplicolor engine paint.  it's not the same.
Can you give me any info whether you can still get the 'chrome paint' which isn't just flat aluminum/silver engine paint ? Did you purchase it locally and confirm it is what they advertise ?

[Johnie]

Like Don I have had very good luck with a 6 inch wire wheel and no paint. They turned out very good.

[Don R]

I've had really good luck with a soft wire wheel and then chrome engine paint in between the fins. Those are pretty toasty looking though. 
 My chrome guy advised me it's often cheaper to buy new or better used than paying for chrome plating. I explained to him it was a rolled rear rim and they are going for a grand on ebay. He smiled and said OK then. It came out nice.

What did he charge? I have 8 or 12 of them I'd like to renew for future builds.

I think it was over $300 and that was ten or more years ago. The Chrome Shop, Rock Island Illinois. https://www.thechromeshop.com/

[MauiK3]

Electrolysis or vinegar will get into places the wire wheel can’t. Have to watch vinegar, it’s slow but keep checking. I once shrunk a steel bolt with it, it wasn’t critical so no harm.

[BenelliSEI]

I've had really good luck with a soft wire wheel and then chrome engine paint in between the fins. Those are pretty toasty looking though. 
 My chrome guy advised me it's often cheaper to buy new or better used than paying for chrome plating. I explained to him it was a rolled rear rim and they are going for a grand on ebay. He smiled and said OK then. It came out nice.

Don,I've been looking for "chrome engine paint" for years;you know,the type that shines.. I used to get it decades ago,but can not find it anymore.
I've had to settle for flat aluminum Duplicolor engine paint.  it's not the same.
Can you give me any info whether you can still get the 'chrome paint' which isn't just flat aluminum/silver engine paint ? Did you purchase it locally and confirm it is what they advertise ?

I can still get this locally. Dupli-Color CS101 Chrome Spray Enamel……

[grcamna2]

I've had really good luck with a soft wire wheel and then chrome engine paint in between the fins. Those are pretty toasty looking though. 
 My chrome guy advised me it's often cheaper to buy new or better used than paying for chrome plating. I explained to him it was a rolled rear rim and they are going for a grand on ebay. He smiled and said OK then. It came out nice.

Don,I've been looking for "chrome engine paint" for years;you know,the type that shines.. I used to get it decades ago,but can not find it anymore.
I've had to settle for flat aluminum Duplicolor engine paint.  it's not the same.
Can you give me any info whether you can still get the 'chrome paint' which isn't just flat aluminum/silver engine paint ? Did you purchase it locally and confirm it is what they advertise ?

I can still get this locally. Dupli-Color CS101 Chrome Spray Enamel……

Yes,I see the Duplicolor CS101.
John,do you know if it will be resistant to engine heat ?

[BenelliSEI]

I've had really good luck with a soft wire wheel and then chrome engine paint in between the fins. Those are pretty toasty looking though. 
 My chrome guy advised me it's often cheaper to buy new or better used than paying for chrome plating. I explained to him it was a rolled rear rim and they are going for a grand on ebay. He smiled and said OK then. It came out nice.

Don,I've been looking for "chrome engine paint" for years;you know,the type that shines.. I used to get it decades ago,but can not find it anymore.
I've had to settle for flat aluminum Duplicolor engine paint.  it's not the same.
Can you give me any info whether you can still get the 'chrome paint' which isn't just flat aluminum/silver engine paint ? Did you purchase it locally and confirm it is what they advertise ?

I can still get this locally. Dupli-Color CS101 Chrome Spray Enamel……

Yes,I see the Duplicolor CS101.
John,do you know if it will be resistant to engine heat ?

I’ve used it on a few “quick fixes” but never on anything that hot. I usually use it on the rear brake steady bar and pull rod.

[Don R]

 I've always been able to get some chrome showing on the outer fins and just used the silver paint to cover the rusty area inside. Even "chrome" paint still appears silver to me.

[grcamna2]

I've always been able to get some chrome showing on the outer fins and just used the silver paint to cover the rusty area inside. Even "chrome" paint still appears silver to me.

I was also able to do a clean up,then spot it with paint.

[Nightshift]

<snip>My chrome guy advised me it's often cheaper to buy new or better used than paying for chrome plating. I explained to him it was a rolled rear rim and they are going for a grand on ebay. He smiled and said OK then. It came out nice.

This little stack was Cdn.$1600!
Two fenders, two rims, two speedo/tach plates.

BenelliSEI, curious to know what plater are you using? I have some stuff that I need done. Bill

[BenelliSEI]

<snip>My chrome guy advised me it's often cheaper to buy new or better used than paying for chrome plating. I explained to him it was a rolled rear rim and they are going for a grand on ebay. He smiled and said OK then. It came out nice.

This little stack was Cdn.$1600!
Two fenders, two rims, two speedo/tach plates.

BenelliSEI, curious to know what plater are you using? I have some stuff that I need done. Bill

Bill….. you will like my answer, you can probably visit them; Cambridge Custom Chrome. Good people and they do spectacular work. I shopped all over Ontario, Quebec and even a few US States. Cambridge had the best (or equal too) pricing and they were not too far away. It was at the height of COVID so I posted them my stuff and they sent it back a few months later. Full price matched their quote and the work is absolutely flawless. If you are planning on plating stuff you can buy new, just order new. Plating costs way more!! Those six pieces were for my Sandcast project and unique to that bike………

[Magpie]

I was skeptical of "chrome" paint so I soaked some old exhaust clamps in Evaporust  and gave them a coat of Duplicolor chrome paint. I compared them to my stock ones and they look pretty good and close to original. As commented before they do look a bit silver too but for a rider they will do fine for me.

[Nightshift]

<snip>My chrome guy advised me it's often cheaper to buy new or better used than paying for chrome plating. I explained to him it was a rolled rear rim and they are going for a grand on ebay. He smiled and said OK then. It came out nice.

This little stack was Cdn.$1600!
Two fenders, two rims, two speedo/tach plates.

BenelliSEI, curious to know what plater are you using? I have some stuff that I need done. Bill

Bill….. you will like my answer, you can probably visit them; Cambridge Custom Chrome. Good people and they do spectacular work. I shopped all over Ontario, Quebec and even a few US States. Cambridge had the best (or equal too) pricing and they were not too far away. It was at the height of COVID so I posted them my stuff and they sent it back a few months later. Full price matched their quote and the work is absolutely flawless. If you are planning on plating stuff you can buy new, just order new. Plating costs way more!! Those six pieces were for my Sandcast project and unique to that bike………

Thanks. I was wondering if you were using Cambridge Chrome or not. I've used them before on my C2 Corvette restoration for things like bumpers, etc. I agree ... show quality chrome but in my view at the top end of the price scale. There are smaller local platers in London close to me but the wait is long to get them back (longer than CCC). Cheers, Bill

ps ... nice sandcast by the way!

[BenelliSEI]

I was skeptical of "chrome" paint so I soaked some old exhaust clamps in Evaporust  and gave them a coat of Duplicolor chrome paint. I compared them to my stock ones and they look pretty good and close to original. As commented before they do look a bit silver too but for a rider they will do fine for me.

Those look very nice! Will be just fine for my K6. Will give it a shot.

[grcamna2]

I was skeptical of "chrome" paint so I soaked some old exhaust clamps in Evaporust  and gave them a coat of Duplicolor chrome paint. I compared them to my stock ones and they look pretty good and close to original. As commented before they do look a bit silver too but for a rider they will do fine for me.

Cliff,will those nice looking painted ones hold-up to the heat ?

[Magpie]

I don't know if they will hold up to heat or not. The bike I intend to use them on is far from ready for them. Hopefully any heat will just bake the paint on them.  Cliff.

[grcamna2]

I don't know if they will hold up to heat or not. The bike I intend to use them on is far from ready for them. Hopefully any heat will just bake the paint on them.  Cliff.

I like the way they came out. 

[Johnie]

Electrolysis or vinegar will get into places the wire wheel can’t. Have to watch vinegar, it’s slow but keep checking. I once shrunk a steel bolt with it, it wasn’t critical so no harm.

Actually I have a very thin wire wheel that reaches between all the fins.

[Medyo Bastos]

I've always been able to get some chrome showing on the outer fins and just used the silver paint to cover the rusty area inside. Even "chrome" paint still appears silver to me.

ako din


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[MauiK3]

It will be interesting to see how it handles heat.

[grcamna2]

Electrolysis or vinegar will get into places the wire wheel can’t. Have to watch vinegar, it’s slow but keep checking. I once shrunk a steel bolt with it, it wasn’t critical so no harm.

Actually I have a very thin wire wheel that reaches between all the fins.

Johnie,do you re-coat the bare spots after using that wheel ?

[Don R]

 These old clamps have been exposed to heat and the elements for 50 or so years. I haven't noticed my polished and painted ones fading away yet, but they live a sheltered life. If they look good for a few years, I'll take it.

[Johnie]

Electrolysis or vinegar will get into places the wire wheel can’t. Have to watch vinegar, it’s slow but keep checking. I once shrunk a steel bolt with it, it wasn’t critical so no harm.

Actually I have a very thin wire wheel that reaches between all the fins.

Johnie,do you re-coat the bare spots after using that wheel ?

I have never recoated them after the wire wheel. My wheel is very thin. I don't over do it and they actually look very good.