Pro-Circuit pipe - extremely tarnished

StephanieMitchell789
Edited Date/Time 6/19/2013 7:57am
The Pro Circuit pipe on my newly acquired 2001 CR250 is very tarnished.

Its not "rusted" exactly, but it is does not have the mirror-like finish I see on some pipes.

Can it be restored? Steel wool? Detailing compound / polish?
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JeepnMike
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JeepnMike 6/16/2013 9:00pm
6/16/2013 9:00pm
Every single time I washed my Pro Circuit pipe, the only thing that would restore it was Naval Jelly. Found at any auto parts store. Nasty stuff though, use rubber gloves.
RM250racer 6/16/2013 9:02pm
6/16/2013 9:02pm
i sandblasted a PC pipe for a 97 rm 125 cause it was all rust and it took the chromish finish off and i thought it looked pretty sick. but for other bikes any polish seemed to do the trick.
StephanieMitchell789 6/16/2013 9:05pm
6/16/2013 9:05pm Edited Date/Time 6/16/2013 9:09pm
Thanks - I just watched a YouTube vid on Naval Jelly - amazing. I hope it is available here in Canada.

Sand blasted a pipe? lol that's quite extreme!
captmoto
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captmoto 6/16/2013 9:08pm
6/16/2013 9:08pm
The shiny bright is nickel plating. Yours is the "factory" finish. Back then we used CLR on the pipe with steel wool to remove the rust and wd40 to keep it fairly clean.

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hartebreak
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hartebreak 6/16/2013 9:19pm
6/16/2013 9:19pm
don't think of it as rust, think of it as patina. In all seriousness though, if its a factory type of pipe that isn't plated, they are very difficult to keep "new looking". Steel wool, or scotch brite and some WD40 and it will shine up. Also wipe it down with WD40 on a rag after you wash the bike to help prevent surface rust.
GeorgiePorgie 6/16/2013 10:38pm
6/16/2013 10:38pm
I'd say save yourself the time and buy a new full system. 2 smoke pipes are extremely reasonably priced.
bent valves
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bent valves 6/16/2013 10:40pm
6/16/2013 10:40pm Edited Date/Time 6/16/2013 10:43pm
Use WD-40 and steel wool. If the rust actually pitted the metal then try Naval jelly to get into all the little pits. If using Naval jelly remove the pipe from the bike because the jelly will eat away the radiator hoes, engine paint, anodizing, bolt plating, etc.

Make sure you clean the pipe right when you get home from riding. Don't allow the mud to sit on the pipe because that will rust it. Clean it with steel wool and WD-40 with every bike wash. Dry it off then wipe it down with WD-40 so it doesn't rust in the garage. The WD-40 will burn off in the first couple minutes of riding.

Good luck.
JeepnMike
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JeepnMike 6/16/2013 10:44pm
6/16/2013 10:44pm
I must be a relic, the bare steel look a PC pipe offers is trick. 2 mins with Naval Jelly and steel wool and it will look like new. Throw some WD-40 on it once you have it clean again and you are golden. I have a suspicion folks chiming in on this thread have never used naval jelly for this cause, it really is easy.
BobbyM
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BobbyM 6/16/2013 10:46pm
6/16/2013 10:46pm
StephanieMitchell789 wrote:
Thanks - I just watched a YouTube vid on Naval Jelly - amazing. I hope it is available here in Canada. Sand blasted a pipe? lol...
Thanks - I just watched a YouTube vid on Naval Jelly - amazing. I hope it is available here in Canada.

Sand blasted a pipe? lol that's quite extreme!
Jasco Metal etch....get some. Phosphoric acid for metal paint prep
DoctorJD
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DoctorJD 6/17/2013 5:11am
6/17/2013 5:11am
I actually prefer a ScotchBrite pad over steel wool (with WD-40). Less metal slivers to get stuck under your fingernails.
ga_pike
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ga_pike 6/17/2013 5:17am
6/17/2013 5:17am
Unplated/unpainted pipes are sweet looking. If you get on it hard, it will turn all sorts of rainbow colors. Then, just spray it with some WD40 after washing and it will have that factory look for life!
Homey55
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Homey55 6/17/2013 5:20am
6/17/2013 5:20am
Lime-A-Way can be found in any grocery store and works fast and easy.
albacore26
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albacore26 6/17/2013 6:36am
6/17/2013 6:36am Edited Date/Time 6/17/2013 7:06am
I doubt the naval jelly can strip the nickle down to a natural finish but if it can wipe on three coats of Mop N Glo floor finish. It gives it a nice matte clear coat look and holds up well, just wipe on more after it wears out or if you don't like it just wipe it off with thinner, lots of street 2 stroke guys are doing it and it looks good.
moto589
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moto589 6/17/2013 12:18pm
6/17/2013 12:18pm
Homey55 wrote:
Lime-A-Way can be found in any grocery store and works fast and easy.
Here is your answer. WD-40 when done.

scottydogmx 6/18/2013 9:29am
6/18/2013 9:29am
auto glym alloy wheel cleaner, wash off straight away and cover with wd40, it will look like brand new
knobby101
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knobby101 6/18/2013 12:02pm
6/18/2013 12:02pm
soak it in WD-40 and use a scotch pad...
hvaughn88
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hvaughn88 6/19/2013 6:35am
6/19/2013 6:35am
How about a PC nickel plated pipe that was painted? I just bought an RM 125 and the guy that had it painted a brand new pipe black. It's flaked off and I want to strip all the paint off. Any suggestions for something safe to remove paint without damaging the nickel plating?

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gotwings
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gotwings 6/19/2013 7:30am
6/19/2013 7:30am
Its all about the back and forth motion. Be gentle and try not to scratch it.
Are you telling me this is the first pipe you've ever polished???
Fearo
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Fearo 6/19/2013 7:32am
6/19/2013 7:32am
gotwings wrote:
Its all about the back and forth motion. Be gentle and try not to scratch it. Are you telling me this is the first pipe you've...
Its all about the back and forth motion. Be gentle and try not to scratch it.
Are you telling me this is the first pipe you've ever polished???
hvaughn88
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hvaughn88 6/19/2013 7:57am
6/19/2013 7:57am
gotwings wrote:
Its all about the back and forth motion. Be gentle and try not to scratch it. Are you telling me this is the first pipe you've...
Its all about the back and forth motion. Be gentle and try not to scratch it.
Are you telling me this is the first pipe you've ever polished???
so similar to removing lipstick from my "other" pipe??

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