www.CVOHARLEY.com
CVO Technical => Cleaning/Detailing => Topic started by: dm930 on September 04, 2016, 12:59:40 AM
-
Sometimes I like to take the bags off to get to the exhaust and rear wheel. So while cleaning the chrome exhaust, I noticed some black speckles when you look up close at it. It appears to just be typical road grime. I can scrape them off with my fingernail but that's a pain. Anyone have a better cleaner or solution that works? I tried simichrome, s100 detail wax and bug slide with negative results. Simichrome helped a bit but didn't make the exhaust feel smooth to the touch.
-
Maybe try spraying it down good and letting it soak with something like Adams polishes all purpose cleaner then scrub with a soft damp rag or wash mitt?
-
Try never dull. It has a cotton fibers and a cleaning solution together. Comes in a small blue can.
-
I use 0000 steel wool.
-
If it's worse on the left muffler than the right, I'd suspect it's the stuff that sheds from a new belt. New belts have a coating on them to help with initial break-in, and it wears off quickly. I cleaned mine when I did my first service, with mineral spirits on a rag and a little elbow grease, followed by a good wash and then wax.
I would expect it to also be on the wheel.
Jerry
-
i know the spots your talking about, have them all over the rear area after a long trip...hope its not from the belt like GRC states...i have 48k on that bike and still happens and dont know of an easy way to get them off other than GOOF OFF works pretty good
-
It does appear to be more on the left than right. I like the idea of 0000 steel wool and the Goof off, which I have. What can actually scratch the chrome if not careful?
-
Steel wool, even 0000, can scratch. Stick with a solvent on a rag and some elbow grease, or one of those plastic scrub pads. Let the solvent soak the deposits for a short time, then wipe/rub.
Jerry
-
Steel wool, even 0000, can scratch. Stick with a solvent on a rag and some elbow grease, or one of those plastic scrub pads. Let the solvent soak the deposits for a short time, then wipe/rub.
Jerry
Thanks Jerry, I kinda thought it could scratch. Solvent good.
-
Thanks Jerry, I kinda thought it could scratch. Solvent good.
WD-40 when the pipes are cold.
-
Jerry I have used 0000 steel wool wet for years and not one scratch. No need to get aggressive the black stuff comes right off.
-
Had good success with Goof Off Pro Strength remover on chrome. Takes tar and boot rubber right off. Does not appear to harm the chrome but would not get it on aluminum or painted surfaces. Probably would not hurt to wash area afterward and polish to remove any remaining solvent.
-
WD-40 when the pipes are cold.
works very well :2vrolijk_21:
-
I'll do you one better than steel wool ... SOS pads. The soap does most of the work. No scratches (look at my bike). Easy, peasy.
-
Jerry I have used 0000 steel wool wet for years and not one scratch. No need to get aggressive the black stuff comes right off.
Sorry, but you did put micro scratches in it. Goof off, tar remover, a little mineral spirits on a rag, but NEVER use anything abrasive. Whether it is steel wool, brass wool, scuff pad or whatever they all do scratch. If you do it continually in the same area that pretty chrome will become pretty shiny copper because you are taking the top layer off with the scratchy stuff.
-
I'll do you one better than steel wool ... SOS pads. The soap does most of the work. No scratches (look at my bike). Easy, peasy.
/quote]
Really?? Hopefully everyone knows your kidding. That stuff will scratch a old time porcelain sink, not to mention baked enamel.
-
Steel wool, be it plain or in the form of S&S pads, will in fact leave micro-scratches in chrome plated surfaces. Depending on the quality of the plating, it may become obvious quickly or it may take years, but eventually it will affect the appearance of the part. For those who don't believe me, all I can say is get a decent magnifier and look a bit closer at those chrome plated parts you've been scrubbing with steel wool on a regular basis.
Abrasives are for those who lack the patience to let the solvents work. IMHO, it is best to always start with the mildest approach and only escalate to harsher methods if absolutely necessary. You don't clean your new paint job with compound before trying regular non-abrasive cleaners, right? So why do it with a plated surface?
Jerry
-
Had good success with Goof Off Pro Strength remover on chrome. Takes tar and boot rubber right off. Does not appear to harm the chrome but would not get it on aluminum or painted surfaces. Probably would not hurt to wash area afterward and polish to remove any remaining solvent.
Didn't know Goof Off Pro Strength is available...
-
Mr. Turtle Chrome Polish
-
Mr. Turtle Chrome Polish
that's my choice on boot marks etc. just hot H2O, rag, windex on normal clean or wipe down or detailer in spray
-
Didn't know Goof Off Pro Strength is available...
Most hardware stores carry the Goof Off Pro in the section with the mineral spirits and lacquer thinners. I usually get the variety in the small yellow round can. I think they make a paint stripper too but the one I get is just meant for removing latex paint, glue and tar. Its a pretty strong solvent so I've been afraid to get it on powder coat or painted surfaces. Can says it can be used on cured auto finishes but I've not wanted to test that on my bike.
-
Jerry I have used 0000 steel wool wet for years and not one scratch. No need to get aggressive the black stuff comes right off.
I don't use it often but I, too, use steel wool. You don't have to scrub, the "stuff" comes right off and I've yet to run into any rust/chrome depletion issues for 30 plus years of using it that method. It's my last line of attack when something just won't come off. WD40 and let it soak on a cool pipe normally does the trick. Again, with the steel wool, you don't have to rub it like Aladdin's lamp to get it to work... ;D
-
I don't use it often but I, too, use steel wool. You don't have to scrub, the "stuff" comes right off and I've yet to run into any rust/chrome depletion issues for 30 plus years of using it that method. It's my last line of attack when something just won't come off. WD40 and let it soak on a cool pipe normally does the trick. Again, with the steel wool, you don't have to rub it like Aladdin's lamp to get it to work... ;D
True, but when handling out advice to people you don't know and you don't know anything about, I stay on the conservative side. I've known people who don't have a clue what "finess" means, and they can screw up pretty much anything they touch. I assume you know some as well. One of my favorite examples is the guy who blows off the entire idea of using torque specs and torque wrenches and just keeps pulling on the wrench until something screeches (or breaks). I've also seen people use the heavy duty compound on a car paint job until they burn through the clearcoat. The examples are pretty much endless.
Start with the most gentle method and only escalate if that doesn't work is still good advice in my humble opinion. Going nuclear right off the bat might be quicker, but that method carries many risks.
Jerry
-
Well said Jerry.
Tried the Goof Off Pro, (had some just didn't realize it), but it didn't really solve the little black dots on the exhaust. You can scratch them off with your fingernail though, but that's a pain. Wondering if lacquer thinner is too abrasive to try.... Not sure I want to try steel wool or SOS just yet. I will try to work my way up the ladder till I've exhausted all other options.
-
Sometimes detail spray, a good microfiber and a wet fingernail along with some time work the best
-
I get those black spots too. Some will come off with chrome cleaner, but the ones that won't I get off with Goof Off (the solvent one, which resembles a small can of lighter fluid).
-
I get those black spots too. Some will come off with chrome cleaner, but the ones that won't I get off with Goof Off (the solvent one, which resembles a small can of lighter fluid).
Just bought Mother's Chrome Polish to try. Goof Off Pro did nothing.
-
Just bought Mother's Chrome Polish to try. Goof Off Pro did nothing.
Of all the creme chrome polishes I've bought (which are many), the most aggressive is the one made by Turtle Wax...it's probably the least costly too.
-
But is it abrasive?
-
No, it's not abrasive (the Turtle Wax chrome cleaner), but on the chrome cleaner scale, it would have more abrasiveness than say Never Dull. If there is something on my chrome that I can't get off with Never Dull, etc., I move to the Turtle Wax chrome cleaner. I'm the pickiest man in the world (according to my wife), so if there was any chance the Turtle Wax would damage the chrome, I wouldn't use it.
-
No, it's not abrasive (the Turtle Wax chrome cleaner), but on the chrome cleaner scale, it would have more abrasiveness than say Never Dull. If there is something on my chrome that I can't get off with Never Dull, etc., I move to the Turtle Wax chrome cleaner. I'm the pickiest man in the world (according to my wife), so if there was any chance the Turtle Wax would damage the chrome, I wouldn't use it.
Your wife and my wife should talk, lol! :2vrolijk_21:
-
I also use 0000 steel wool, with WD40, as a last resort. I generally can get the exhaust clean with just Windex or Harley Glaze. I wonder if a clay bar would work as well as other products? Anyone ever try it?
Bob
-
Any "bug & tar remover", then wash with soap & water. Turtle Wax makes a bug & tar remover. Use a microfiber cloth and you should be OK.
-
I detail my pipes a couple times a year and I use mineral spirits and turtle wax chrome polish. I hate those pesky black dots...lol
-
Any "bug & tar remover", then wash with soap & water. Turtle Wax makes a bug & tar remover. Use a microfiber cloth and you should be OK.
This worked for me. Used it to melt chewing gum off my floor boards once. Good stuff.
-
If it's road tar diesel fuel works fine & it's cheap. Wash afterwards of course.
-
Another item you might try is Nevr Dull
Around $7.00 at discount auto
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181115/eb237e2f3d3b06e5381a7c81c8cc5576.jpg)
-
Use a copper coin too remove any stubborn spots on chrome "It will not Leave any scratch marks"
Sometimes my boots leave marks on the forward lower heat shield and it cooks on real good.
Using a copper coin on it cleans it off in no time and not a scratch too be seen. Then I use GreaseLighting cleaner to polish.
-
Anybody ever try Mr. Clean Magic Eraser? You may laugh, but some of the dumbest things I've heard actually work .... never tried it myself however.
I drive tri-axle dump for an asphalt co. and we use a chemical I know would take it RIGHT off without damage made by Bio-Solve or something. We fill our spray bottles up with it for state jobs when you're not allowed to use (diesel) fuel which also works. The stuff takes tack/asphalt right off my wheels which get caked bad from running it the stuff constantly when we pave. I spray it on all my wheels and just run with it soaking all day, looks like crap til I clean it all off, but they look like new when done.
Same goes for your exhaust no matter what you use ... soak it down with whatever your poison is first, fire it up JUST long enough for it to start "steaming" then have at it. The heat will help loosen/soften things a bit being careful not to get it hot enough to burn yourself.
No need for 0000 steel wool or anything metal to try scraping it off. I've heard of the coin trick from old timers, but I'm too anal about my stuff to even think about trying that one.
I have also used Nevr-Dull & WD-40 with good results too. Pick whatever poison you have on hand or run out and buy something new and use whatever works best for you.