Discoloration on Stainless Steel Headers

[grt1500]

Does anyone know how to bring back the stainless finish or maintain it ? my headers are mostly blue now with a little yellow.

This has probably been addressed in the past but I can't find the topic so I apologize if its redundant.

[DJ Downunder]

You can use a metal polish and rub,rub,rub until they come back to nice chrome looking...I've done mine a few times..they come up looking great.

But...

After just a short ride they will go back the way they were...what a waste of time and effort...I don't do mine anymore..my advise is..don't bother.

Just get used to that blue,brown,gold effect and don't worry about it.

DJ

[HILLBILLIEBIKER]

Blue is bluetyful.

[fallingpines]

Hi, I have an 04' R and thought that the header pipes coming from the cylinders were stainless. When I picked up my bike new, the careless mechanics who prepped it left all sorts of finger prints on my headers that seemed to bake on and ruin the finish. I tried to polish the headers a bit with a polishing wheel and fine metal polish, but it started to look like I was cutting through a chrome layer so I backed off. This made me think that the headers were chromed steel.

So, can anyone confirm the material of these pipes? If stainless I would love to finish the job that I started. If not stainless, does anyone know if stainless head pipes are available? If not, has anyone tried ceramic coating the interior of new pipes to prevent or minimize the blueing?

[Boxer]

Single wall polished stainless steel. Mine have gone from blue to gold to a dull pewter color. I've used Blue Job on them some and then wiped down with oil to make a nice even color.

[Ed K]

grt1500,

Try "Blue-Away"...you can find it in BMW dealers...its expensive, but works...and does last quite a while.