Header cleaning ... result

[slparry]

Well ... I'd heard Harpic Power Plus Max 10 bleach loo cleaner works magic on brown tarnished stainless exhaust headers, noticed in a local discount shop they had it on offer for a quid so I got some to try.


It works an absolute dream, did the downpipes on my F800GS which hadn't been degunged since I bought it new in 2014, so three years of crud. Gunge fell off within 10 minutes!!!



If you take a peek on Youtube there's several examples of its use

[milleplod]

I've read good things about it Steve, but not taken the plunge yet! The last clean mine had was with Peek metal polish, which is a bit like Autosol, except the results last much, much longer. They're getting ready again though, so you've reminded me to get some Harpic in! I'm told it shouldn't be used on chromed headers though - it strips the chrome off apparently!

Pete

[Boxered]

I used it on my headers last week, it works well, same as wonderwheels but easier to use as the WW just runs off the headers, hence my crepe bandage technique, but the Harpic is more gel like goo that stays on the headers.
Use with care as it is essentially hydrochloric acid.

Steve.

[Al]

From what I have read the trick is to do it with Harpic if they are manky and tarnished then do them with peek/autosol for a longer lasting finish.

Al.

[popsky]

You lot way tooooo fussy, what's wrong with a little tarnish, looks like you've done a few miles

[metropolis2k]

I did the headers on my BCR a few months ago and they came up a treat. This is just after brushing on, a light scrubbing and rinsing them off. I could go over them again with autosol and more elbow grease and they'd be almost back to new.

A before and after:

[Jeff Highland]

Unfortunately they don't sell that version of Harpic here.......I guess Aussie sh.t is not as sticky.

[metropolis2k]

I don't know how critical the exact type of Harpic is, pretty sure it's just the acid reacting with the rust on the pipes, nothing more complex than that!

[Jeff Highland]

Yeah, it's the acid, which the lower grades don't have.
The Max 10 is probably not deemed safe for retail here.