Cleaning Stainless Exhaust - 2010 600 Hornet

[Zen Dog]

When I got my Hornet it had an aftermarket exhaust fitted, but I got the original exhaust with it too. I thought I'd have a go at cleaning it up. Bought a kit from "Dr. Downpipe", came with a spray bottle of acid-etch cleaner, a tube of metal polish, 2 scourers and 2 microfiber cloths. No gloves though. Anyway I thought I'd take some pics of the process.

First set of pics, the exhaust as I got it. Some minor pitting around the header inlets, but mainly its lots of surface rust, scaling and general grunge.
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Current - '94 VFR750FR (Dead), '00 VFR800FI, '11 600 Hornet - Previous - '11 CBF125, '10 Street Triple R, '92 MZ ETZ301, '05 TTR250, NSR125R, KMX125, "Honda" Win
My bike trip around S.E. Asia 2010/2011

[Zen Dog]

So I gave it a wash with soap and water, then tried out the acid-etch stuff. Spray it on, give it a bit of an agitate with the scouring pad, rinse it off. I did it a couple of times. The effect was pretty dramatic, but mostly it's made the already bright bits brighter. There's still lots of corrosion on the welds and in all the little grooves. Even the nice bits have a sort of satin finish. Still, for about 15 minutes work, no complaints.
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Current - '94 VFR750FR (Dead), '00 VFR800FI, '11 600 Hornet - Previous - '11 CBF125, '10 Street Triple R, '92 MZ ETZ301, '05 TTR250, NSR125R, KMX125, "Honda" Win
My bike trip around S.E. Asia 2010/2011

[Zen Dog]

It didn't look at all ready for metal polish to me at this point, so I got out the brass brushes and brush tips for the dremel, and sacrificed a load of them to the God of Shiny Exhausts. Also nearly sacrificed an eye when a strand of high-velocity brass managed to find it's way around my glasses and safety squint.

I spent a few hours on this stage, but I think it was worth it. I'm not sure how well it comes out in the photos but the dremel removed basically all the remaining surface corrosion, out of all the little nooks and crannies. There was now nothing rusty or brown left, and the whole surface has a sort of satin finish, with the inlets having a dark discolouration.

Time for metal polish next, but I'm expecting that to take more hours.
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Current - '94 VFR750FR (Dead), '00 VFR800FI, '11 600 Hornet - Previous - '11 CBF125, '10 Street Triple R, '92 MZ ETZ301, '05 TTR250, NSR125R, KMX125, "Honda" Win
My bike trip around S.E. Asia 2010/2011

[to v or not to v]

ive heard Harpic 10x bleach applied for about 15 minutes then washed off works wonders.
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current bike Yamaha Thunderace.
Moto Guzzi V7.

[stinkwheel]

[Zen Dog]

[A100man]

The acid based bog cleaners/descalers are quite common and tend to come in ominous black bottles. I'm pretty sure its safe on (good quality) stainless but less so on mild steel/rust. I've used it with scotchbrite or possibly wire wool in the past to good effect.
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Now: A100, GT250A, XJ598, FZ750

Then: Fizz, RS200, KL250, XJ550, Laverda Alpina, XJ600, FZS600