Harley Davidson chrome exhaust: need suggestions..

[Eldorado2k]

My good neighbor asked if I could take a look at a certain area on his bike where a stubborn layer of grit [for lack of a better word] has accumilated.. Upon 1st having a look I said 'what's the problem again'? Lol.. The Harley looked pretty darn great at 1st glance.

But upon having an up close look at the chrome exhaust, there's a thin layer of grit that feels like sandpaper. He maintains the bike very well and it still looks just about brand new.. But this stubbon defect bugs him the same way water spots would bug us:p



You can only really notice it in direct light.



I halfway jokingly suggested steel wool.. But I wasn't totally joking, I even demonstrated using some fine grade 00 steel wool lubed with Megs old school Cleaner Wax on my cars plastic chome. Then did the same to 1 of my chrome rims just to prove it doesn't scratch the chrome. But I don't blame him for not wanting to try the steel wool on his baby.. I'd be just as cautious on a garage queen.

So what will get this off? My research so far leads me to believe Meguiars Medium cut metal polish is the ideal product to handle this? Is there something else that's known to work even better? Any Harley Davidson owners lurking on MOL? Lol.

[The Guz]

Re: Harley Davidson chrome exhaust: need suggestions..

You could try medium cut followed by the finishing metal polish. Another alternative metal polish is P21 polishing soap which gets rave reviews on AGO followed by P21S multi-surface finish restorer.

[ShineOCD]

Re: Harley Davidson chrome exhaust: need suggestions..

The Guz has good suggestions. I have polished my rxhaust many times, What ever you use first do it by hand. If you use any machine be very careful. I used my my Megs all metal polish with the Megs dyna cone and got a little over zealous and eneded up with a yellow spot that was permanent. I have had good luck by hand with Mothers Chrome Polish by hand and a terry cloth cotton towel. The chrome on those exhaust parts is very sensitive unlike a chrome car bumper where you can lean on it pretty good.

[Scott's 62]

I would give the Meg's medium metal polish a try like Guz suggested follow up with the finishing polish. It looks like from the pictures the pipe was hot and got sprayed with something from off the road.

[Eldorado2k]

Apply it with a microfiber applicator or towel eh? Stupid question but what will be wrong with the finish that the medium cut leaves?

[The Guz]

Re: Harley Davidson chrome exhaust: need suggestions..

Not sure if you have seen this.

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?57780-Our-new-Metal-Polishes-put-to-the-test

[davey g-force]

Re: Harley Davidson chrome exhaust: need suggestions..

You'd want to clay it first to see if you can remove any of the grit that way.

Then use a metal polish...

[Eldorado2k]

I hadn't even thought about that^ thx.

And thx for the link Guz. I hadn't seen that 1 before.. Just skimming through it I can already tell it's another classic lesson in detailing by Mr. Stoops. I'll be sure to read it.