BMW R1200RT/R1250RT Forum

Steel wool will leave very small, almost microscopic particles of steel embedded in the surface. Guess what happens to steel when it gets wet! That rust can be harder to get off than the bluing or browning.


I use Happich Semi-chrome polish on both stainless and chrome. Leaves no scratches like some compounds or steel wool.

I just let mine go blue.... :wonder: Is that wrong?

smileymiley wrote: I just let mine go blue.... :wonder: Is that wrong?

Well no where near as wrong as using steel wool!

I don't mind a bit of blueing - it matches my midnight blue metallic bike. 

MEM62 wrote: I don't mind a bit of blueing - it matches my midnight blue metallic bike.

Got better things to do than polish exhausts But you'll be getting your headers replaced because the flap is stuck before long. I've had two sets in 3 years

Casbar wrote: Got better things to do than polish exhausts But you'll be getting your headers replaced because the flap is stuck before long. I've had two sets in 3 years

Mine is still OK.  Had the bike from new in Jan 13 and no issues with the flap thus far. 

Mines done 1700mls and before I put it back on the road after winter I got some grease that withstands 1500 degrees c so I’ll try some on the pivots when I remove the silencer.

MEM62 wrote: Mine is still OK.  Had the bike from new in Jan 13 and no issues with the flap thus far.

Thought the LC didn't come out until 2014! Well has I said, I have covered 18k and on my second new set of headers and now I've traded the bike, so someone will get a bike with new headers.

Casbar wrote: Thought the LC didn't come out until 2014! Well has I said, I have covered 18k and on my second new set of headers and now I've traded the bike, so someone will get a bike with new headers.

I have the TC - not the LC. 

MEM62 wrote: I have the TC - not the LC.

Ok, its a different flap in the LC, stuck in the Headers, isn't the flap on a TC in a separate piece of pipe.

Totally agree. Do not use steel wool on chrome. Chrome is very soft and will scratch easily. The blueing is a normal part of the process as heat affects the chrome and steel underneath. I love the blueing anyway. Whoever said it was a bad thing and to therefore remove it told you wrong.

The harder faster you push the bike the further down the pipes the blueing will travel. It's not a bad thing.