- This topic has 6 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 14 years, 7 months ago by owlie.
Removing the melted plastic yuck from the exhaust can
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September 10, 2009 at 4:37 am #3416owlieParticipant
Within the first half hour of riding my new bike, I added a few scuffs and a rather unsightly black plastic patch from my rain gear to the exhaust can. While I have been assured that this simply shows that the bike has character, I figure that the backfiring that the S40 is infamous for does plenty of that. With that in mind, I set forth to remove the ugly patch of plastic that marred the shiny expanse of my exhaust can…
A couple of warnings before trying this at home:
1) DO NOT WORK ON A HOT EXHAUST CAN! Anything warmer than a baby’s milk bottle is too hot.
2) If you choose to use Acetone for this project
a) do not let it come in contact with painted surfaces as it will eat the paint.
b) use it in a well ventilated area3) Latex or Nitrile gloves are recommended (even though I hate the things).
For this project, you will need the following:
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– Acetone and/or Chrome Polish (Chrome Polish is easiest, but Acetone will do it also)
– Sponge/Paper towels/Diaper cloths (basically whatever floats your polishing boat – DO NOT USE SOMETHING ABRASIVE – NO SCOTCH PADS!)
– Elbow GreaseBasically, I followed three steps:
1) Ensure the area to be fixed is cool, clean, and dry.
2) I used the Acetone the same way that I use it to remove my nail polish. I soaked a paper towel and let it soak into the plastic to soften it up. If you don’t have chrome polish, you can apply your elbow grease here to remove the plastic. This will take lots more work than the chrome polish, but it can be done.
3) After gassing myself with the Acetone, (basically 2-3 minutes of holding the acetone soaked towel over the stain), I applied the Chrome Polish. Dab some on the patch, and start working it with circular motions. Be sure to apply plenty of elbow grease. You will need a little more goop than what you would normally apply just to polish the chrome, and you will need to add more to your paper towel or sponge fairly frequently. Change your applicator for a clean one frequently (every 15-20 minutes or everytime you add more chrome polish), or you will end up scratching your exhaust can.
4) Work the stain from an outside edge inward. Polish off the Chrome Polish occasionally to admire your handiwork.
5) Depending on the size of your blotch, this process may take anywhere from 0.5 to 5 hours.
Progress Photos:
Yes, I know I missed a spot (or two). I couldn’t get these to polish out. I’ve thought about going after them with a Dremel, but I think I’ll just leave them as my own personal reminder not to do something stupid while riding.
Good luck!
OwlieSeptember 10, 2009 at 5:52 am #22277eonParticipantSweet job. Now you are making me ashamed of my dirty exhaust
September 10, 2009 at 9:58 am #22278MunchParticipantas it will happen again and again you will eventually give up the ghost. However from another forum some are having success using oven cleaner.
September 10, 2009 at 1:32 pm #22279AParticipantI have had good experience with removing melted items or decals with hairdryer.
September 10, 2009 at 5:00 pm #22285JackTradeParticipant…flat black exhausts situated under the bike. Simple, elegant solution.
September 11, 2009 at 4:13 am #22298owlieParticipantYou shouldn’t be. I finished up doing that about a week ago and just got around to writing it up last night. In the mean time, I added a whole new set of black scuff marks to my exhaust that I haven’t had time to deal with.
I’m not even really sure how these got there. My boots? Dunno.
September 11, 2009 at 4:36 am #22299owlieParticipantOven cleaner, eh? I’ll have to check it out.
And yes, I will probably give up the chase eventually, but right now, where is the fun in that?
Anyway, it is nice to sit on the garage floor on a rainy morning with the smell of wet leaves wafting in through the open garage door, polishing my bike. It isn’t often I let myself drop into that silent well where nothing matters but the mindless, rhythmic task before me.
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