I just couldn't wait any longer...only 3 more to go!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/1tinindian/Motorcycles/100_3935.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/1tinindian/Motorcycles/100_3937.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/1tinindian/Motorcycles/100_3938.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/1tinindian/Motorcycles/100_3941.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/1tinindian/Motorcycles/100_3944.jpg)
Great job. :good2: They come up nice don't they? They will turn a beautiful bronze color after a few miles of hard riding. :yes:
Cheers...Jake
Wow! None of this steel wool, satin finish for you.
A real deep luster polish job on hard stainless steel, that's impressive.
Whatcha using, how are you doing it?
Here's a tip: What Jake said is true, these pipes will turn a light golden brown as they heat cure, so don't freak out....
However, after you install these beauties, before you heat them up, take some fast evaporating lacquer thinner or alcohol and with a clean rag, wipe down the pipes......Do it twice......
That way the oil from your fingers won't burn into the finish when the pipes heat up. i.e You WILL see your fingerprints on the finish if you don't do this..
A lesson learned the hard way....
Cheers amigo!
Looking good :good2:
green scotchbrite pads will help in maintaining that nice finish and PLus 1 on Pat's advice about cleaning them good before first running to prevent unwanted staining
KOokaloo!
Frank
This is what they will look like after a few miles.
(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p21/jvb_ca/86FJ/2008%20Mods/FJ-08-08-1.jpg)
Good idea on the scotchbrite Frank. I never did go over them after the first polishing. I liked the way they went dark. My new to me Supertrapp is starting to turn a light bronze now.
Cheers...Jake
Quote from: Pat Conlon on September 29, 2010, 10:37:41 AM
take some fast evaporating lacquer thinner or alcohol and with a clean rag, wipe down the pipes......Do it twice......
That way the oil from your fingers won't burn into the finish when the pipes heat up. i.e You WILL see your fingerprints on the finish if you don't do this..
A lesson learned the hard way....
...also, if you use armor-all on or near your bike, keep it far away from the pipes, even just the overspray leaves nasty stains on the SS.
looks good!
Jake, thanks, I was already aware of the coloring of the pipes from seeing it on my sons Honda 919 that we polished earlier this summer!
Pat, here are my impliments of destruction!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/1tinindian/Other/000_1022.jpg)
I started with 320 grit on a DA sander to remove the paint and smooth the pipes. then hand sanded with the 320 to remove swirls in the metal.
Then I started the polishing with the die grinder.
Later tonight I plan on working on the other pipes and I think I will sand the pipes with some 500 grit before polishing begins.
Frank, after the time it takes to polish these to a high gloss, I won't be using a scotchbrite pad on these.
I will repolish then before that, Thanks !
TRoy, thanks for the tip!
After I get these all done and back on the bike, I will give them one last going over with some SimiChrome paste.
Quote from: 1tinindian on September 29, 2010, 12:38:32 PM
.
Frank, after the time it takes to polish these to a high gloss, I won't be using a scotchbrite pad on these.
I will repolish then before that, Thanks !
MY EYES........
lol it's all good.... i prefer the satin finish to the high gloss seeing as i dont have enough time (or OCD) to keep it looking that way.
...for a satin finish the scotchtbrite pad does work great (and fast) for cleanup :good2:
KOokaloo!
WOW! I sure am glad this turned out to be about shining up an exhaust system. Just for a split second it sounded like....... er......mmmmmm....... something ealse.
I like my FJ's, but not that much!
NICE JOB! They will go to a bronze color once run. But if you want to keep them a light gold or remain chromish - once your done polishing, mask or wrap entire outside of pipe and spray WHITE Header paint into inside of tubes. Point spraycan nozzle into tube and just spray the shit out of them to where the paint is running down inside of pipe and then flip pipe around so all areas get coated. Let it tack up and repeat again and again and again. You are trying to build up layers. This is how you keep chrome plated headers from going "Blue". Also since one thing leads to another. If you want to paint engine - mask off easy areas with masking tape - but for the odd shape parts - mask them by wrapping them with aluminum foil. Take the sheet of foil ,fold it over itself so it is now 2 layer thick , press it against object then squeeze it. It will now take the shape of part and add masking tape on ends for a sharp edge. DISCONNECT THE BATTERY IF MASKING AROUND WIRING.
Quote from: JCainFJ on September 29, 2010, 11:54:34 PM
WOW! I sure am glad this turned out to be about shining up an exhaust system. Just for a split second it sounded like....... er......mmmmmm....... something ealse.
I like my FJ's, but not that much!
I'm with you, man. There for a minute I thought someone was going to be
too happy about their bike..
1tinindian said,
" Frank, after the time it takes to polish these to a high gloss, I won't be using a scotchbrite pad on these. I will repolish then before that, Thanks ! "
You could also go to a jewelery findings/supply store and get a "rouge cloth". These are generally a two part flannel like cloth with one layer plain and the other impregnated with fine rouge. Jewelers use them as a final step and to keep the stock shiny. Should be under $5 or so.
Cheers,
Arnie
Naaaaah...get a rouge stick and a rag wheel, or a rouge wheel. Let the drill do the work.
Dad used to have a two-piece rouge cloth for polishing his old Army insignia (I still have it
). I tried to use it on my 1907 E.E. Smith trumpet...big PITA.
Rossi
Arnie, that sound similar to a product called "Neverdull", polishing cotton wad.
Works well, but I likes my SimiChrome!
Rossi, did you miss the picture of the tools I use?
I've been polishing bare metal for over 30 years and have used many different product, andd I seem to have found what works the best for my needs.
UPDATE, I polished the second pipe lastnight and wet sanded it with 500 grit prior to polishing, and it came out so good, I redid the first one!...OCD.
I now have two pipes remounted on the bike and the other two sanded.
Will post more pictures tonight.
Quote from: 1tinindian on September 30, 2010, 01:27:51 PM
Arnie, that sound similar to a product called "Neverdull", polishing cotton wad.
Works well, but I likes my SimiChrome!
You are doing really pretty work. I was a simichrome fan, but then I found something that works a lot, LOT better (at least, on soft metals like aluminum, platinum, and titanium). It's called Blue Magic (http://www.amazon.com/BlueMagic-400-Metal-Polish-Cream/dp/B000BO8Z9I/ref=sr_1_1?s=gateway&ie=UTF8&qid=1285873125&sr=8-1), I got a can at autozone for $8 or so. Does much better than simichrome at providing that final mirror effect, just keep working it in. Is now what I use on the wheels/frame/arm on my ZX9 (http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t148/reebed/zx9r/IMG_0582.jpg).
I've used cerium dioxide to polish scratches out of car windscreens in the past........ supposedly the fines particle size of any cutting compound you can get.
Its a white powder, and can be had from most places that make etched glass products (shower screen makers etc).
Just mix with water to make a thick paste and start rubbing. Does a wonderfull job on glass, aluminium and steel.
The glass shop I get it from buys it in 20Kg drums and fills my little plastic bag for nix.
Harvy
Quote from: andyb on September 30, 2010, 02:01:02 PM
I was a simichrome fan, but then I found something that works a lot, LOT better (at least, on soft metals like aluminum, platinum, and titanium). It's called Blue Magic (http://www.amazon.com/BlueMagic-400-Metal-Polish-Cream/dp/B000BO8Z9I/ref=sr_1_1?s=gateway&ie=UTF8&qid=1285873125&sr=8-1), I got a can at autozone for $8 or so.
+1 of the BlueMagic, I use it as well. It really does work better than you might expect.
Dan
Quote from: 1tinindian on September 30, 2010, 01:27:51 PM
Rossi, did you miss the picture of the tools I use?
Probably. I'm not the most observant schmuck on the planet. Just ask any number of ex-involvements. :dash2:
Rossi
A little more work tonight.
Three done, one to go!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/1tinindian/Motorcycles/100_3945.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/1tinindian/Motorcycles/100_3955.jpg)
(http://img%20photobucket.com/albums/v338/1tinindian/Motorcycles/100_3966.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/1tinindian/Motorcycles/100_3974.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/1tinindian/Motorcycles/100_3979.jpg)
Man, those are looking good!
I've had a spare set of pipes in the garage for several years now, with the intent of doing that.
You've really inspired me... this am I actually went out there and looked at them. :biggrin:
Randy T
Indy
I bow down to your polishing mastery, I would quit waayyy before the look you've accomplished. Now do the engine, it's looking neglected in comparison.
Finally finished with the pipes tonight, thank God!
My son and his buddy were going for a ride today on the bikes and his buddy swore they were chrome!
Makes me feel good to have him notice all the hard work it took to get them this way.
While I was at it, I also polished the clutch lever,because when I swapped over to the different master cylinder, it came with a polished lever, so now both levers somewhat match in appearance.
I'm hitting the highway tomorrow morning with my ZX14 buddy to Poopys Bar and Grill in Savanna Ill., along the Mississippi River, about a 3.5 hour ride. We will be stopping at the motorcycle museum in Anamosa Ia along the way.
Weather here has been in the 70s this week, but tomorrow is only going to be in the mid 50s, have to break out the long johns and head sock.
Looking forward to a great day on the FJ, see ya when I get back, with pictures of the ride!
Leon
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/1tinindian/Motorcycles/100_3988.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/1tinindian/Motorcycles/100_3994.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/1tinindian/Motorcycles/100_3997.jpg)
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(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/1tinindian/Motorcycles/100_3990.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/1tinindian/Motorcycles/100_3996.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/1tinindian/Motorcycles/100_3998.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/1tinindian/Motorcycles/100_4000.jpg)
you are a polishing maniac , looks good.
keep going and you and Pat can have a glare contest. :good2:
As promised, here are my pictures from my trip to Poopy's, with a stop at the National Motorcycle museum in Anamosa Iowa.
My pipes have already turned a nice shade of bronze.
We left at 8:45am, and returned exactly 12 hours later with the temp of 46*.
You all should be proud of me, as I thought of all the riding tips and advise since posting my video of me riding.
The river road, which I think was highway 52 going north from Savanna Ill., to Dubuque Iowa was filled with curves and at speeds of around 70mph, it was a blast with some of the biggest lean angles I've ever done, and not once was the centerline crossed, as it should be.
The super brace has added a nice secure feel to the FJ, and in turn, I think my riding ability has improved.
The burger at Poopies was a 1 lb gut bomb, and I felt like Fred Flintstone eating a Brontosaurus burger!
It was a long day, 443 miles rode, and a little cold, but I enjoyed ever minute of it!
Wish you could have come with us!
Leon
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/1tinindian/Motorcycles/100_4213.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/1tinindian/Motorcycles/100_4214.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/1tinindian/Motorcycles/100_4216.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/1tinindian/Motorcycles/100_4217.jpg)
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(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/1tinindian/Motorcycles/100_4220.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/1tinindian/Motorcycles/100_4221.jpg)
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(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/1tinindian/Motorcycles/100_4372.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/1tinindian/Motorcycles/100_4373.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/1tinindian/Motorcycles/100_4374.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/1tinindian/Motorcycles/100_4375.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/1tinindian/Motorcycles/100_4376.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/1tinindian/Motorcycles/100_4377.jpg)
Congrats Leon! A job well done. Feels good huh? (It didn't while you were doing it, but you didn't give up)
The time and effort you put in to polish heat tempered (very hard) stainless steel to a deep luster, is waaay beyond what I fuss over with soft aluminum.
It's no comparison.
Kudos!
Pat (note to self: I gotta get some air tools)
Thanks Pat!
It is a sickness! LOL!
I'm not done with the FJ either, just take a look at what I've done on my Suzuki and my Triumph!
To polish is to love!
Leon
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/1tinindian/Motorcycles/100_0471.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/1tinindian/Motorcycles/100_0470.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/1tinindian/Motorcycles/000_0400.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/1tinindian/Motorcycles/000_0395-1.jpg)
I find it amusing that a place that you can find a 1lb gut-bomb burger is at "Poopy's" :rofl2:
Quote from: 1tinindian on October 03, 2010, 11:38:40 AM
It is a sickness! LOL! I'm not done with the FJ either, just take a look at what I've done on my Suzuki and my Triumph! To polish is to love!
ooooh, you've got it bad. Contagious to multiple bikes, yes, a very virulent case..
Just so you know....There is medication available, however with the high costs of health care and pharmaceuticals, I've found that Simichrome is cheaper.