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Bad day

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RhoXS

RhoXS

Active member
Joined
Jul 12, 2023
Messages
157
Location
South Carolina
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Bike
R18 TC
Ran into a plastic grocery bag that blew out of the back of a truck.

Anyone know if this can be removed or will I have to replace the head pipe?1000002818.jpg
 
Oh no..!!! That sucks... Plastic bag should be banned.. what happened to brown paper bags or bringing a sack to carry groceries ...

I have use a chrome cleaner or metal polish on my AIRSTREAM exhaust, which had a similar fate .. I'll see if I can find it in my garage when I get home..
 
RhoXS said:
Thanks guys. This has just been the way my luck has been running. Just had my car destroyed by hail as well.
I guess I need to stay away from Vegas until things change.
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Scheeesh what deity did you piss off??? 😁 ... ever considered a 'Gremlin Bell'?
 
The below image is the product that I have used on the exhaust of my AIRSTREAM, that had a similar fate..

I use the below to clean my R18 exhaust from road and bug spray...

Perhaps try it, after you get the majority of the melted plastic off from some of the earlier mentioned products and techniques...

Screenshot_20250521-051352.png
 
Star-Lord said:
The below image is the product that I have used on the exhaust of my AIRSTREAM, that had a similar fate..

I use the below to clean my R18 exhaust from road and bug spray...

Perhaps try it, after you get the majority of the melted plastic off from some of the earlier mentioned products and techniques...

View attachment 17962
Click to expand...
Oh man, that brings back memories of polishing brightwork... if it moves, salute it; if it doesn't move, paint it or polish it.
This stuff works great, btw.
 
I can’t remember what I used but it will come off easy, Last time one got all over the pipes and cat on my GS I think I just used rubbing alcohol then some wad-40 and steel wool, followed up with some chrome polish. It’s no big deal.
 
I saw a video which was being explained how on chrome, aluminum foil does remove rust in case it starts developing oxidation, I would think it can also remove that. I’m new here, hello from Las Vegas 👋🏻
 
I tried acetone...no work.
I tried Goof Off...no work.
I tried oven cleaner...seems to work but it going to take a lot elbow grease to remove residue.
 
RhoXS said:
I tried acetone...no work.
I tried Goof Off...no work.
I tried oven cleaner...seems to work but it going to take a lot elbow grease to remove residue.
Click to expand...
Yes I did try oven cleaner too .. works but best remove the header pipe so you don't get that $hit anywhere else ... not much fun if you do ... ask me how I know :LOL:
 
Personally I’ve always had the best luck getting the majority of large areas such as what you are dealing with by starting off with hot pipes. Then I use a damp microfiber towel and VERY quickly test a spot by dabbing the area. Once I am satisfied with the amount left over I follow up with a polish. I have a product very similar to the above Never Dull wadding polish. Works amazingly well on multiple surfaces. Great product.
 
Update...I was able to get most of the material removed using oven cleaner and a plastic blade. It took roughly 5 hours of tedious work. I was very lucky it didn't get into the manifold nut. Everything had melted to a smooth, accessible surface.
Now. I'm at the point of final polishing and cleanup. Will post a pic when complete.

I should have thought to call my chemist Daughter before I started. She said simply warming the pipe, soaking it with a heavy oil and letting it soak a few few hours should take it right off. Just be careful not to overheat the pipe and burn the oil. I'll know next time.
 
Clean up complete 7 hours later. Used Simichrome for final polish. I guess that's similar to Never Dull.
Lessons learned...
1. Talk to chemist daughter FIRST
2. Take a big chill pill and clean the reading glasses.
3. Use a plastic utensil to scrape off material not removed by the oven cleaner.

Thanks for the advice to be careful with the oven cleaner. I spent a bit of time masking and unmasking and I'm sure it was worth it.1000002820.jpg
 
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