January 26, 2019, 12:32 PM
BuckyPolishing SS headers
I have a set of stainless headers that were not polished to begin with. What is the process of getting raw stainless to the polished state? I assume you can't just start with stainless polish. But I don't know. Oh, and what equipment to use?
January 26, 2019, 07:55 PM
green1When you get done with yours I will send you mine to do.
January 27, 2019, 09:42 AM
mxx68SS Polishing is easy if your header come apart all 4 tubes and Collectors buffing wheel on bigger bench grinder with 8 or 10 buffer wheel and metal polishing compound for Stainless steel it takes time but you can get them to a Mirror Like finish if you like
January 27, 2019, 10:00 AM
Big Stevequote:
Originally posted by mxx68:
SS Polishing is easy if your header come apart all 4 tubes and Collectors buffing wheel on bigger bench grinder with 8 or 10 buffer wheel and metal polishing compound for Stainless steel it takes time but you can get them to a Mirror Like finish if you like
And as soon as you start you engine they will turn gold. SS headers are a PITA to keep looking good. Prevent the aggravation and get them coated
January 27, 2019, 06:38 PM
BuckyI like real gold!
January 27, 2019, 10:09 PM
ferndaleflyerBefore I retired I had a shop that manufactured stainless restaurant equipment and employed 4 people to polish stainless----My recommendation is forget it. First it is not simple and second its a lot of hard dirty work. Also there are many types of stainless, some impossible to get a good finish on.
January 28, 2019, 06:32 AM
HammertimeGet a thing of “ The Works” toilet bowl cleaner, take headers off get them wet out cleaner on and let set for a bit and wipe down each tube with a rag, rinse off. I usually take them to the car wash.
January 28, 2019, 07:35 AM
BD104XI did a set of Borlas myself a long time ago with a kit I bought from Eastwood and a bench-mounted buffing wheel. It was a ton of work - it took many hours and made a huge mess, dust and bits of cotton were everywhere and I was covered head to toe.
January 28, 2019, 08:09 AM
Buck2248Send them to Powerhouse Customs in Huntsville. Wendell will have them looking like chrome! Check them out on Facebook. and for a couple hundred $$ they are done.
January 28, 2019, 08:23 AM
BuckyNatural finish or coating is starting to sound better and better!
January 28, 2019, 02:55 PM
adv ET 266I don’t know how the SS tube manufactures polish the raw tubes. I do know the header shops that sell them buy it polished. My down swept performance welding headers came very shinny and with some regular work it was not hard keeping them sharp looking.
I’d call a header manufacturer and get the number of their SS supplier and ask.
January 28, 2019, 03:08 PM
TD3550A lot of guys here use Lo KO in Oak Lawn. Does a real Nice Job. I'll throw up a set of Zoomies if you want.
https://lokocoatings.com/January 28, 2019, 03:19 PM
Buckyquote:
Originally posted by TD3550:
A lot of guys here use Lo KO in Oak Lawn. Does a real Nice Job. I'll throw up a set of Zoomies if you want.
https://lokocoatings.com/
Throw them up?! Heck I want to see you eat them in the first place.
January 28, 2019, 03:25 PM
TD3550lol... Built by Teds. You can't be that far from Oak Lawn?. I just talked to him and he said he paid $90.00 to do the Zoomies. Guys next door to me did their Titanium headers there, but in black
for their TAD.
January 30, 2019, 07:29 AM
Shawn PinkertonWorks Toilet Bowl Cleaner x2.
Will take the gold right off. The muriatic acid in the cleaner that strips off the tarnish. Once you get it good and cleaned follow up with a good polish.
January 30, 2019, 01:03 PM
BuckyOne thing that concerns me a bit about toilet cleaner is the amount of chlorides in it. I deal with stainless vessels at work, and chloride induced stress corrosion cracking can be a real problem. However, it may take longer term exposure than just cleaning. Not sure.
January 31, 2019, 05:46 AM
sst5167I literally just spent the day polishing my wife's stainless headers yesterday. Hers were already polished, but were in dire need of some love again.
If yours are not polished, but not scratched up very much, I would start with 600 grit sand paper. Then 800, then 1000. Then a final wet sand with 1500. If you have a Harbor Freight near by, pick up a polishing kit that can be chucked up into a drill (I would recommend a corded drill). Start with a green rouge, then finish it off with a white rouge.
It is a TON of work, and a HUGE mess! But if you like shiny stuff, the results are very rewarding!
If you are a patient person, that doesn't mind a little elbow grease, I'd say go for it. But if you hate detailed, time consuming projects, then I'd recommend not even attempting it.
Hope this helps!
January 31, 2019, 05:55 PM
Buckyquote:
Originally posted by sst5167:
I literally just spent the day polishing my wife's stainless headers yesterday. Hers were already polished, but were in dire need of some love again.
If yours are not polished, but not scratched up very much, I would start with 600 grit sand paper. Then 800, then 1000. Then a final wet sand with 1500. If you have a Harbor Freight near by, pick up a polishing kit that can be chucked up into a drill (I would recommend a corded drill). Start with a green rouge, then finish it off with a white rouge.
It is a TON of work, and a HUGE mess! But if you like shiny stuff, the results are very rewarding!
If you are a patient person, that doesn't mind a little elbow grease, I'd say go for it. But if you hate detailed, time consuming projects, then I'd recommend not even attempting it.
Hope this helps!
Well, I'm totally out then.
January 31, 2019, 06:27 PM
TORQINMe too
February 01, 2019, 10:14 AM
Shawn Pinkertonquote:
Originally posted by Bucky:
One thing that concerns me a bit about toilet cleaner is the amount of chlorides in it. I deal with stainless vessels at work, and chloride induced stress corrosion cracking can be a real problem. However, it may take longer term exposure than just cleaning. Not sure.
I would have to think this is long term exposure versus the couple minutes that you spray on the cleaner and rinse it off. Have done this for a few years with no side effects to the headers.