Topic: Removing Rust on Headers (Stupid Question)

[Montgomery]

Hey All-

Kind of dumb question here. There's a ton of rust on the headers of my '71 CB500. I figured I'd go at them with a wire wheel on a bench grinder initially. I've read the clearcoating vs. polishing debates on the forum for aluminum parts, but what are the options for steel? Is there hi-temp clearcoat, to keep the headers from rusting again, or is the only option to have them chromed?

[dewjantim]

A lot of the rust will clean up with a wire wheel. Mine were quite rusty and I used a drill with a light bristle wire wheel which cleaned them up like new. The chrome has that brushed look to it which I really like. To keep them looking nice, wipe them down with a little WD40 about once a week. If you don't go this route you might try either sanding then polishing the pipes and clear high-temp powder-coating or simply sand or particle blast the pipes and have them powdercoated with high-temp chrome powder-coat. Either way it would be cheaper than re-chroming..... ...

[GammaFlat]

Crumple up some tin foil.  Rub it on your "affected area".  It works nice. 

[Hinomaru]

Hey All-

Kind of dumb question here. There's a ton of rust on the headers of my '71 CB500. I figured I'd go at them with a wire wheel on a bench grinder initially. I've read the clearcoating vs. polishing debates on the forum for aluminum parts, but what are the options for steel? Is there hi-temp clearcoat, to keep the headers from rusting again, or is the only option to have them chromed?

Consider having your headers high heat ceramic coated inside and out as it's a long lasting and durable finish. Perhaps there is someone in your area that provides this service? If not, these are the top three companies that I'm aware of with a good reputation:

http://www.performancecoatings.com/headercoatings.html

http://www.jet-hot.com/headercoatings.html

http://www.hpcoatings.com.au/pages/hipercoat.htm

[Montgomery]

Thank you for all the responses!

Crumple up some tin foil.  Rub it on your "affected area".  It works nice. 

Does the tinfoil really keep the rust from re-forming, or is it just a method to remove it?

If I'm honest, the exhaust is complete crap, so I'm not sure about spending the money to have it powdercoated. Being a recent college grad and trying to save money to become a commercial pilot means I am extraordinarily cheap. Buuuuut, powdercoating is certainly cheaper than a whole new exhaust.

[Gordon]

If I'm honest, the exhaust is complete crap, so I'm not sure about spending the money to have it powdercoated. Being a recent college grad and trying to save money to become a commercial pilot means I am extraordinarily cheap. Buuuuut, powdercoating is certainly cheaper than a whole new exhaust.

Get rid of the rust and then just spray the headers with some black grill paint.  Touch it up as needed, and save your money for a set that's worth spending it on. 

[mgbgt89]

My header looked like crap on my 350.. I tried the aluminum foil on it and it was amazing how well it works.. I didn't even know there was chrome still under the rust. My arm felt like it was going to fall off after i was done, but it looks 20 times better than it did.

[domer]

little bit of sandpaper, and rattle can it... my kerker was chrome at some point in its life. when i got it the header was a rusty brown and the can  was missing half the paint. i think someone tried to paint it black at some point but it wasnt black anymore... i used krylon's bbq paint. has a nice semi-gloss to it (rustoleum is flat) but the first 3-4 inches of header coming out the block turned flat. holds up fairly well for rattle can, and touchs up easy when needed...

[Montgomery]

Hmmm, the BBQ paint is more my budget!

Anybody have any pictures of what the stock 4-4 exhaust looks like painted?

[CB750Winger]

  I have a black 4 - 1 header along with a chrome 4 - 2. I painted my black 4 - 1 with grill paint from Lowe's and looks like new. I just hit it with steel wool to prep it and a couple cans of grill paint for around $6, pretty cheap fix. I'll second the wire wheel for chrome. Alum foil works too.