Topic: How to clean ceramic exhaust header (pics) ??

[DHolbrook]

Found this burned into my ceramic header a couple days ago.  It's been ridden heavily since the crap was found.  Tried to clean it off with simple green, then paint thinner.  Not even a trace of the black came off.  I'm really not sure what it is, maybe from my canvas/vinyl riding bag.  Are there better chemicals to try out, or can I use some kind of mild abrasive?  I just don't want to damage the ceramic coating.  Thanks for your advise.

[vern401]

It looks like burnt on plastic to me... I dont dare say right now. I'd be worried about damaging it too.

[hondaface75]

Maybe try and wet sand the ceramic coating. It must be thick enough to that without worrying about going through it?

[DHolbrook]

Wet sanding seems dangerous to me, although I'll go there if I need to.  I was hoping to wrap the pipe in some chemical soaked rag overnight.  What are my most toxic choices?

Thanks for the posts so far...

[Ichiban 4]

Well..if it is vinyl..or a plastic material that's burned on..I'd try putting some Goof-Off on it: www.goof-off.com.  It has toluene in it though..which is considered carcinogenic..and banned in some states.

Nonetheless..if you can get it shipped to you..you can soak a rag or paper towel in it..lay over affected area..see what happens.  May take an hour or two of "soaking" though.

I've removed road tar..undercoating..and burned-on plastic on exhaust pipes with it. May take some agitation or coaxing..by scraping with a wooden stick on the surface.  But if you can get the Goof-Off into the surface of whatever your trying to remove..it usually will soften and allow you to wipe it off.  Pretty good stuff.  But you have to be careful around other plastic and/or painted parts..or it will remove them too.

Let us know how it works out..

Ichi.

[Retro Rocket]

Toluene is not a carcinogen , it is a neurotoxin and  is not good to get on your skin as it can dissolve fat under the skin and damage nerves. If heat made it stick try getting it really hot and rubbing it off with some acetone not sure if that will work but its worth a try.

Mick

[DHolbrook]

Thanks guys, I'll try the the goof-off and also scraping it with a flat stick while hot.  I'll let you know how I do.

[Old Scrambler]

Good advice so far........and good chemistry lesson.............I would get it hot and try brake-cleaner.  Protect painted surfaces and plastic while applying.

[MRieck]

Good advice so far........and good chemistry lesson.............I would get it hot and try brake-cleaner.  Protect painted surfaces and plastic while applying.

I agree especially with the getting it warm part. Try a heat gun.

[vern401]

A green dish scrubbing pad might work.

[super pasty white guy]

never needed to try it, but I've heard that oven cleaner works well to take off burned on plastic.  Dunno about the safety to the ceramic tho...

spwg

[tweakin]

+1  I use oven cleaner on chrome to remove tough stuff but never on ceramic.  I would contact a company who does coatings and ask them what they use first.

never needed to try it, but I've heard that oven cleaner works well to take off burned on plastic.  Dunno about the safety to the ceramic tho...

spwg