How do you shine the Chrome Header Pipes?

Got any tips and tricks for BMW R1200RT/R1250RT owners? feel free to share them here.
cdnrtowner
Posts: 14
Joined: Sat Oct 03, 2015 10:00 pm

How do you shine the Chrome Header Pipes?

Post by cdnrtowner »

Is there a product that removes the bluing and dulling of the chrome headers? I have tried Autosol chrome cream, Mother's Chrome Polish and several other products, which remove some spots but don't clean the bluing or shine the chrome. I have used header wrap on cruisers I have owned but the primary aim was to improve performance. The wrap hides the chrome headers but I don't think that the RT would look good and I certainly don't need to improve the performance. Your suggestions would be appreciated. Cheers!
chappers2a
Posts: 61
Joined: Fri Jan 15, 2016 12:17 pm
Bike Model and Year: 2016 RT LE
Been liked: 2 times
Great Britain

Re: How do you shine the Chrome Header Pipes?

Post by chappers2a »

I find Autosol and a bit of patience and elbow grease does the job well. Brings up the chrome pipework to a lovely shine and removes bluing etc.  Unfortunately you do need to do it fairly regularly to keep it looking in tip-top condition!
chappers2a
User avatar
richardbd
Posts: 1468
Joined: Sat Dec 13, 2014 8:40 pm
Been liked: 2 times

Re: How do you shine the Chrome Header Pipes?

Post by richardbd »

I don't bother - too busy riding...
;)
guest2360

Re: How do you shine the Chrome Header Pipes?

Post by guest2360 »

I like the blue/copper look.  Brightens up my grey bike.
Steve F
Posts: 673
Joined: Thu Aug 27, 2015 2:56 pm
Bike Model and Year: R1250RT 2022
Great Britain

Re: How do you shine the Chrome Header Pipes?

Post by Steve F »

RTman10 wrote: I like the blue/copper look. Brightens up my grey bike.
There you are, see....blue brightens up  an otherwise dull coloured bike!! :) ;)
User avatar
richardbd
Posts: 1468
Joined: Sat Dec 13, 2014 8:40 pm
Been liked: 2 times

Re: How do you shine the Chrome Header Pipes?

Post by richardbd »

Steve F wrote: There you are, see....blue brightens up  an otherwise dull coloured bike!! :) ;)

RTMan must be on the sauce...


;)
fatnfast
Posts: 97
Joined: Wed Sep 09, 2015 8:18 pm

Re: How do you shine the Chrome Header Pipes?

Post by fatnfast »

Alutech metal polish is he best I have found. Far better than autosol etc
Image
User avatar
richardbd
Posts: 1468
Joined: Sat Dec 13, 2014 8:40 pm
Been liked: 2 times

Re: How do you shine the Chrome Header Pipes?

Post by richardbd »

fatnfast wrote: Alutech metal polish is he best I have found. Far better than autosol etc
Image
Re: How do you shine the Chrome Header Pipes?

If I bring my bike over, will you do mine?


PS my pipes come out of the cylinders in a different place...




;)
fatnfast
Posts: 97
Joined: Wed Sep 09, 2015 8:18 pm

Re: How do you shine the Chrome Header Pipes?

Post by fatnfast »

richardbd wrote: If I bring my bike over, will you do mine?
PS my pipes come out of the cylinders in a different place...
;)
Hmm, not so easy on the new ones as I heard they switched there chrome pipe supplier to baco-foil at the same time as they started to use recycled milk bottles for the plastics and CZ to build their gearboxes ;)
Last edited by fatnfast on Sun Jun 19, 2016 10:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
richardbd
Posts: 1468
Joined: Sat Dec 13, 2014 8:40 pm
Been liked: 2 times

Re: How do you shine the Chrome Header Pipes?

Post by richardbd »

fatnfast wrote: Hmm, not so easy on the new ones as I heard they switched there chrome pipe supplier to baco-foil at the same time as they started to use recycled milk bottles for the plastics and CZ to build their gearboxes ;)

That's all true.  Fortunately, they started using Ferrari for the engines at the same time...


:alas: :alas:
wethead
Posts: 183
Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2016 9:19 pm

Re: How do you shine the Chrome Header Pipes?

Post by wethead »

The best solution for the chrome muffler is to have it black-powder-coated
If it takes you all day to do something you used to do all day, you are getting old.
User avatar
CWRoady
Posts: 20
Joined: Wed Nov 11, 2015 2:45 pm

Re: How do you shine the Chrome Header Pipes?

Post by CWRoady »

wethead wrote: The best solution for the chrome muffler is to have it black-powder-coated

Pics please
Ain't nothin like a friend who can tell you you're just pissin in the wind - Neil Young
Casbar
Posts: 2670
Joined: Wed Jan 27, 2016 6:25 am
Been liked: 45 times
Great Britain

Re: How do you shine the Chrome Header Pipes?

Post by Casbar »

Buy a Harley if you like polishing. Did that, now I just don't bother with the RT, just ride it  :)
User avatar
richardbd
Posts: 1468
Joined: Sat Dec 13, 2014 8:40 pm
Been liked: 2 times

Re: How do you shine the Chrome Header Pipes?

Post by richardbd »

Casbar wrote: Buy a Harley if you like polishing. Did that, now I just don't bother with the RT, just ride it  :)

Correct!


:clap: :clap:
wethead
Posts: 183
Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2016 9:19 pm

Re: How do you shine the Chrome Header Pipes?

Post by wethead »

For those who asked: unfortunately, these are the only pics I have. I hope you can see the poweder-coat gig as clear as possible


and yes, I had my 2014 painted white. Probably do it to my 2016 also, just like I did my other RT I owned. I like white!
Attachments
Angel.4.jpg
Angel.3.jpg
Last edited by wethead on Mon Jul 25, 2016 8:34 pm, edited 1 time in total.
If it takes you all day to do something you used to do all day, you are getting old.
Post Reply