How To Clean Discolored Stainless Steel Mufflers

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"Cleaning the "golding effect" on 304 stainless exhaust tips"

An ongoing discussion from 2004 through 2022 . . .

2004

Q. Howdy,

I'm in need of a piffling advice. Simply bought an 02 Tahoe that has 304 stainless steel exhaust tips. They are gold in color (from heat transfer I am told) and I have tried to make clean with a stainless cleaning product from Domicile Depot and all manner of stuff under my sink. They however are gilded. I even tried mixing upwardly some citric acid and water which cleaned about 50% in patches of the "golding effect" but its not 100%. Repeated applications actually didn't improve on the 50%. Practise you have a production or a "home mash" or can y'all recommend one that volition help?

Thanks for your consideration.

Duke McKay
tinkerer - Biloxi, Mississippi
^

2004

A. Duke:

Try any commercially prepared metal polish and it should do the trick. Not sure if "estrus transfer" would exist the correct terminology. Would rather suspect discoloration of the Stainless due to the exhaust temperature. This will, however, go along to be a problem and the tips volition require an occasional polish chore. Hope this helps.

Bill Miller
- Shinnston, Due west Virginia
^

2004

A. I've used polishing compounds with good results, similar Neb said..you'll have to repeat this process every so often. I've heard that y'all tin can have exhaust products ceramic coated and information technology will foreclose any future discoloration...look in whatever major car magazine and I'k sure you lot will discover an ad for this service.

Jason Aube
- Flint, Michigan
^

2004

A. No thing what you do or how much you succeed in polishing, the "goldening" volition come back from the heat. Welders have like coloration when tig welding and a STAINLESS steel wire castor can take away the color. Don't contaminate the stainless steel by using carbon steel brushes. You may desire to consider putting a polished sleeve effectually the pipes so that the heat won't transfer so easily and you won't have to polish every time you drive around. Scotchbright and 3M make paw pads for polishing too.

Drew Young
- Park Wood, Illinois
^

2006

Q. I own a motorcycle (Yamaha TDM 900) with a stainless steel exhaust system - I approximate blazon 304 as it is non-magnetic? The header pipes accept turned a golden-brown color for the offset 40 cm or so from the engine cake (I estimate from the estrus?), which can be removed with fine carborundum paper but returns quickly. Is there any less aggressive way to clean the pipes to save further thinning of the walls, and if possible to prevent recurrence of the discoloration? I would be very grateful for whatever help with this frustrating problem.

Dr. Ian B. Duncan
Hobbyist - Hitchin, Hertfordshire, United kingdom of great britain and northern ireland
^

July ix, 2009

A. I use Purple Power All Wheel & Tire Cleaner on my bike frazzle. Spray it on for about 20 mins, then launder it off.

It is nasty stuff, and then make sure yous don't overspray on paint or aluminum, it will eat the cease. Use Rubber Gloves [affil. link to info/production on Amazon] or it will chemically burn your peel.

Your Stainless will await like chrome.

Scott Berg
- Houston, Texas
^

April xix, 2022

I tried using SimiChrome [affil. link to info/product on Amazon] by Happich now GPE, and Female parent'due south Mag & Aluminum Polish [affil. link to info/product on Amazon] and got mediocre results ...

I ordered "Bluish Task" [affil. link to info/product on Amazon]. I will also get get a spray canteen of Imperial Power All Bicycle and Tire Cleaner ...

And I will find out which one empirically works the all-time. Thank you to all,
George

George Govella
- Puyallup, Washington
^

October 28, 2022

A. Try a production called pickling paste. I use this subsequently I accept been tig welding exhausts every bit this takes out all marks on the stainless steel back to a nice shine.

kyle slaven
- peterhead, U.K.
^

January 24, 2022

A. Merely wanted to add: just utilise 100% cotton to shine, freshly done with fabric softener.
jed

jed f free
- sherwood park, Alberta, Canada
^

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