Polishing SS headers

DRR Elite

posted January 26, 2019 12:32 PM

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?

Foxtrot Juliet Bravo

Posts: 6517 | Location: Illinois | Registered: July 08, 2004

green1

DRR S/Pro

posted January 26, 2019 07:55 PM

When you get done with yours I will send you mine to do.

Posts: 2597 | Location: at the track | Registered: May 09, 2007

Ignored post by green1 posted January 26, 2019 07:55 PM

mxx68

DRR Trophy

posted January 27, 2019 09:42 AM

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

Posts: 34 | Location: rubicn wi. | Registered: December 22, 2013

Ignored post by mxx68 posted January 27, 2019 09:42 AM

Big Steve

DRR S/Pro

posted January 27, 2019 10:00 AM

quote:
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

Posts: 2656 | Location: Moving back to the door side | Registered: April 30, 2010

Ignored post by Big Steve posted January 27, 2019 10:00 AM

DRR Elite

posted January 27, 2019 06:38 PM

I like real gold!

Foxtrot Juliet Bravo

Posts: 6517 | Location: Illinois | Registered: July 08, 2004

Ignored post by Bucky posted January 27, 2019 06:38 PM

ferndaleflyer

DRR Top Comp

posted January 27, 2019 10:09 PM

Before 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.

Posts: 6334 | Location: everywhere | Registered: March 15, 2007

Ignored post by ferndaleflyer posted January 27, 2019 10:09 PM

Hammertime

DRR Top Comp

posted January 28, 2019 06:32 AM

Get 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.

David Lanning

Lanning Electric

Team Mickey Thompson

Posts: 4658 | Location: Coldwater,MI | Registered: November 17, 2001

Ignored post by Hammertime posted January 28, 2019 06:32 AM

BD104X

DRR Sportsman

posted January 28, 2019 07:35 AM

I 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.

Billy Duhs - BD104X@gmail.com

Posts: 672 | Location: New Jersey | Registered: February 26, 2000

Ignored post by BD104X posted January 28, 2019 07:35 AM

Buck2248

DRR Sportsman

posted January 28, 2019 08:09 AM

Send 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.

Mike Buchwald

Posts: 538 | Location: Caledonia, Mississippi | Registered: January 09, 2001

Ignored post by Buck2248 posted January 28, 2019 08:09 AM

DRR Elite

posted January 28, 2019 08:23 AM

Natural finish or coating is starting to sound better and better!

Foxtrot Juliet Bravo

Posts: 6517 | Location: Illinois | Registered: July 08, 2004

Ignored post by Bucky posted January 28, 2019 08:23 AM

adv ET 266

DRR Elite

posted January 28, 2019 02:55 PM

I 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.

2005 2000lb 4 link dragster
home brew 582 BBC Dart 355
1.058
2.98
4.629@149
6.094
7.310@185

Posts: 12177 | Location: 33463 | Registered: February 04, 2004

Ignored post by adv ET 266 posted January 28, 2019 02:55 PM

TD3550

DRR Sportsman

posted January 28, 2019 03:08 PM

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/

Posts: 1427 | Location: Under a Truck | Registered: August 23, 2013

Ignored post by TD3550 posted January 28, 2019 03:08 PM

DRR Elite

posted January 28, 2019 03:19 PM

quote:
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.

Foxtrot Juliet Bravo

Posts: 6517 | Location: Illinois | Registered: July 08, 2004

Ignored post by Bucky posted January 28, 2019 03:19 PM

TD3550

DRR Sportsman

posted January 28, 2019 03:25 PM

lol... 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.

Posts: 1427 | Location: Under a Truck | Registered: August 23, 2013

Ignored post by TD3550 posted January 28, 2019 03:25 PM

Shawn Pinkerton

DRR S/Pro

posted January 30, 2019 07:29 AM

Works 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.

Posts: 2399 | Location: Ohio | Registered: April 01, 2007

Ignored post by Shawn Pinkerton posted January 30, 2019 07:29 AM

DRR Elite

posted January 30, 2019 01:03 PM

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.

Foxtrot Juliet Bravo

Posts: 6517 | Location: Illinois | Registered: July 08, 2004

Ignored post by Bucky posted January 30, 2019 01:03 PM

sst5167

DRR Trophy

posted January 31, 2019 05:46 AM

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!

Mike Boehner

Posts: 93 | Location: Lake Havasu City, AZ | Registered: January 19, 2011

Ignored post by sst5167 posted January 31, 2019 05:46 AM

DRR Elite

posted January 31, 2019 05:55 PM

quote:
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.

Foxtrot Juliet Bravo

Posts: 6517 | Location: Illinois | Registered: July 08, 2004

Ignored post by Bucky posted January 31, 2019 05:55 PM

TORQIN

DRR Pro

posted January 31, 2019 06:27 PM

Me too

Posts: 1754 | Location: Houston, Tx. | Registered: November 27, 2008

Ignored post by TORQIN posted January 31, 2019 06:27 PM

Shawn Pinkerton

DRR S/Pro

posted February 01, 2019 10:14 AM

quote:
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.

Posts: 2399 | Location: Ohio | Registered: April 01, 2007

Ignored post by Shawn Pinkerton posted February 01, 2019 10:14 AM