Trident Tip cleaner?

[DaveM]

Solvol Autosol.

Best metal polish ever made.

Been using it for 35 years and still do.

DaveM

[oldndumb]

Originally Posted by mglemans86

The problem with the tips is they were not polished smooth during manufacturing. They appear to be spin formed http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_spinning This process leaves small grooves in the part (peaks and valleys). Run your fingernail along the tip and you'll hear a sound similar to running it across an old LP album (for you yuts out there it doesn't happen on a CD)

So when cleaning and polishing you are only really shining the peaks not the valleys. Corrosion is left in the valleys and spreads quickly. The way to fix this problem is to remove the pipes and buff the surface smooth with a proper buffing wheel and compound. Once you have a mirror finish (no more peaks and valleys) it's alot easier to keep shinny.

mgleman is exactly correct in his analysis ,explanation, and advice regarding the surface finish.

I am guessing that the choice of the final surface RHR (finish) was to make it easier to care for them. A high gloss aluminum finish would show every smudge, smear, water spot, etc.

[SeaTac]

That is a shame. I had them installed for a week before heading out on a 6000 mile journey. I'm currently 3000 miles into it and I don't think I'll be taking my pipes apart any time soon. This was my first stop where I actually had a chance to clean the bike.

[SeaTac]

Originally Posted by oldndumb

SeaTac, what have you been doing! And what carbon are you talking about? What I see in the pics could not have happened overnight. It looks as though you have never cleaned them, and whatever accumulated on them supported the formation of the corrosion.

Aluminum polish is not going to remove what I see in those pictures. Polish is to put a finish on a smooth clean surface and remove microscopic corrosion/oxidization. When you use polish, the black residue on the rag is the corrosion and other surface impurities that were removed.

In your case, it looks as though you have surface pitting. I suggest that you remove the cans from the mid pipe and disassemble the tips from the individual cans. Then take the tips to a reputable wheel polisher for corrosion removal and polishing. Trying to fix them while still attached to the can will mar the CF.

Trying to remove that much corrosion yourself will probably lead to highly visible surface irregularities.

And if you are going to work on your bike, leave the Dremel tool on the shelf and get the proper equipment.

The carbon I refer to is the soot that accumulates on the end of the pipes. I could use a rag and a bit of elbow grease but I've always found my little dremel to be great and those kinds of things. Not much different than using a mother's ball and a drill really. I just like the finer control of the dremel.

[oldndumb]

Then you need to be satisfied with the results.

[Wolf]

+1 for Autosol - that's what we use at the factory

As with all parts of your bike if you don't clean them regularly they will look like crap and if you do they will look good for years - I still have the same pipe on my current bike that I did 10 years ago and still use it as show advert for the company as it looks like new

Don't forget that when you order the pipes you have a choice of polished tips or plain at the same cost - so if you want mirror polished ends we can do that - incidentally - it takes about 2 minutes on a wheel and if you mask the carbon sleeve with duct tape whilst you do it there is no need to take the can apart to polish the ends

[Czarcasm]

I don't think we have Autosol in the US...I could be wrong.

For years, I have used EagleOne NeverDull on metal parts. It's a silver can filled with petroleum distillate-soaked cotton. Put some elbow grease into it then polish with a clean cloth. This stuff has removed rust, road tar, bugs, exhaust residue, and water spots from my cars and bikes. It's really amazing stuff and I would give it a shot. Mag/aluminum polish is like a paste sandpaper.

[TattooedRedHead]

Originally Posted by Wolf

+1 for Autosol - that's what we use at the factory

As with all parts of your bike if you don't clean them regularly they will look like crap and if you do they will look good for years - I still have the same pipe on my current bike that I did 10 years ago and still use it as show advert for the company as it looks like new

Don't forget that when you order the pipes you have a choice of polished tips or plain at the same cost - so if you want mirror polished ends we can do that - incidentally - it takes about 2 minutes on a wheel and if you mask the carbon sleeve with duct tape whilst you do it there is no need to take the can apart to polish the ends

Can we order the tips ceramic coated black when purchasing? I'd rather not ever have to buff or polish, it's exhaust people! It turns black!

You all know I just LOVE to clean my bike all the time but even I have my limits

--Kory

[oldndumb]

I think some people are making this out to be an issue, when it is nothing more than ordinary routine cleaning. The pictures that the OP posted were extreme and illustrate what happens to bare aluminum when it is neglected. Ordinary routine care can prevent this from happening.

I would expect that responsible owners perform some type of periodic cleaning, either on a schedule, or as needed. All that is required to keep the exhaust from being embarrassingly dirty is to clean it at the same time. A two minute wipe with any of the mentioned products will do the trick. I can't imagine someone cleaning their bike, and then bypassing the tips because it is an exhaust. Even the Dr. Who pipes require cleaning.

The product Czarcasm mentioned is probably the most gentle on metal. It would be difficult to categorize it as an abrasive because it relies on the solvents in it to remove surface oxidization. Just wear rubber gloves because it really does pull the black oxidization out and it will soak into your hands. The other products vary in abrasive grade.

Wolf's advice on cleaning the tips is spot on, but IMO, it applies to ordinary surface deposits and mild surface corrosion. If the tips in the pictures are as pitted as they seem to be, they will need more aggressive treatment.

SeaTac should try cleaning them up as Wolf suggests, and if that does not work, take them to a professional. I feel certain they will want the tips removed from the cans.

In any case, a cute little Dremel is not going to do the job, and could make it worse.

[DaveM]

Originally Posted by Wolf

+1 for Autosol - that's what we use at the factory

As with all parts of your bike if you don't clean them regularly they will look like crap and if you do they will look good for years - I still have the same pipe on my current bike that I did 10 years ago and still use it as show advert for the company as it looks like new

Ha that's twice in one month I have said something right!

I'm back from a 3 day trip and catching up ok

DaveM