Is there a way to avoid the nasty discoloration of the exhaust pipes over time? What causes them to get nasty looking and can it be avoided? Is there any kind of spray on protectant that can be used on hot pipes like that?

It's caused by the metal oxidizing. Unless you can ride without any oxygen you're screwed.

What adds to the problem is the emissions system that dumps more oxygen into the exhaust system so that when tested, there seems to be less polution (but not really).


A good solution is to get a Jet Hot coating. I have a video I can post for you later. They put a ceramic coating that will hold up very well. It's about $140 but it's very durrable and makes cleaning a snap.

The other solution is to get some Mother's polish, or some Bar Tenders Friend stuff and scrub em. This will make them shiney again for about a week.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRjJ4npgYZE

Google Jet Hot for more info. If you get the chrome finnish they won't ever discolor or rust. People I talk to are very happy with it even years later.

Is there a way to avoid the nasty discoloration of the exhaust pipes over time?
Leave her in the garage and watch TV. :lol:

Jet Hot looks interesting...did you do it Steve?

I was going to do it on my EX500, but I decided to sell the bike before I could do it.

My pipes aren't that bad on my Hornet right now. If they become a pain in the rear like my 500 then I'll do it.

I have talked to guys on the Triumph board about it. It's popular among the Thruxton owners because they are very prone to blueing as well.

No, the discolor ration is form the heat of the exhuast not from oxidation. Steel rust so if it doesn't look like rust then it is not oxidation.

What effect does heat have on metal? It speeds up the oxidation process.

Heat is a form of energy, it doesn't have substance or color. That color you see on the metal is oxidized metal. Stainless steel is made from iron and it will oxidize. Just at a slower rate than iron. Heat will speed up this process many fold.

Edit: "Due to the very high affinity that stainless has for oxygen at high temperatures, the presence of oxygen or moisture in the furnace will oxidize the surfaces to"

http://www.aws.org/wj/2004/10/030/

This is from some brazing web site, but a furnace and an exhaust both add heat.

What effect does heat have on metal? It speeds up the oxidation process.
Hit the brakes! :twisted:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluing_%28steel%29

Quote: "Bluing is a passivation process in which steel is partially protected against rust, and is named after the blue-black appearance of the resulting protective finish."

Not to say the effect we see on our pipes IS blueing but... :thinking

"resulting from an oxidizing chemical reaction"

When you see words like "blue oxide" that means it was oxidized.

:wink:

He was right about it resulting from the heat, but I was right about it being oxidization.

They put an additive on the gun to give it that color. That is what they mean by "bluing a gun".

On the headers it is a natural oxidization and it weakens the metal.

yes heat does speed up oxidation but the coloring in the exhaust is caused by the heat not the oxidation. Perfect example is put steel in a no oxygen condition and heat it up it will still discolor. There is a very clear visual distiction between heat discoloration and oxidation with steel and SS. The color you see on the exhuast head is the metal going thru heat cycles not oxidation, at certain temperature steel will turn different colors. When you start seeing rust that is oxidation, and yes SS does rust too like you said just really slow compared to steel.

Lets look at nickel/chrome plated headers. They still turn blue casue of the heat cycle. Nickel/chrome plating of steel is used as a oxidation protection layer, like paint. Most metals change color with different temperatures. Aluminum is a metal that doesn't change color.

Then tell me what "Is" the color? It can't be heat, your pipes are now cool. There must be some tangable thing there that is reflecting the gold color on your pipes.

Anyway............here is some more useful info on Jet Hot and why wraps are bad. (I know someone is going to ask about header wraps sooner or later.)

http://www.centuryperformance.com/heatwraps.asp

Can we all at least agree that heat is bad and heat causes your pipes to change color?

yeah header wraps will cause quicker oxidation cause of higher heat...the more heat the faster oxidation will occur

I use some stuff called Blue Away. Just follow the directions, and make sure the bike's cooled off. The first time you use it, if your downpipes are real dirty, it's gonna take more work, but this stuff makes em' bling bling.

its just the patina and its normal just wipe em down once inna while with this stuff and it will stay looking good

and I also agree it isnt oxidation

http://www.autobarn.net/oil1035605.html

I use some stuff called Blue Away.
I have a sample some place in the office a sales guy dropped off...will give it a try!


http://www.autobarn.net/oil1035605.html
"Nevr Dull" - Ironically, used to do a task that is ALWAYS dull :lol:
Be careful, don't polish your pipes too much or you will end up like Steve...
Shaving your palms... :lol: (or wearing glasses like me :lol: )

<<<< Checks his palms......... pheeeewwww good no hair there and still have 20/20 think im good

LMAO- never dull,man i forgot all about that stuff. i used that stuff on my first car (76 monte carlo) on all the chrome and man, it made it look like new! i'll have to try it.

Metal polish (I use Autoglym) and hard work will have your pipes nice and shiney some folk on the Hornets nest uk recomend fine grade steel wool followed by fine grade wet or dry abrasive cloth(the stuff boby shops use to smooth body filler) :D

I was thinking of getting my pipes Black chromed ? Gotta help with discoloriztion ... Maybe... Any feed back ??

don't worry discoloration gives character

don't worry discoloration gives character
Like a cowboy's weathered face... Sorry, my pops is from TX, I guess some of it seeped into me bones.

I was thinking of getting my pipes Black chromed ?

I think they will still discolor some, but probably less noticeably, and the black chrome would look sweet! 8) Thats a pretty mean looking bee you've got there :twisted:

By the way, :welcome