| Author | Message | ||
     Soslo2 |
Hey guys, I'm tinkering away on my 2000 M2 with a somewhat limited budget but want to continue to improve the aesthetics of the bike. Right now i'm on the topic of what to do with the stock headers.. I would love to have them sent to jet hot and have them coated black (i know silver runs cooler) but i don't have the $$greenbacks$$ to do so. I was thinking of using some high heat flat black paint in rattle can form. I have restored antique tractors and the silver seems to hold up excellent to high temperatures. Will this work on my headers?? Secondly, I believe that i read that the stock headers are stainless steel on the '00 and up models. I'm wondering if i can use my polishing ball and some mag and alum polish to make them shine like chrome?? Right now they're in the typical buell tan/red state... Hopefully one of these two options will work!! | ||
| Jayvee |
I just saw a "polished-like-chrome" one for sale. It did look similar to chrome. I really like the odd, golden metal color of the factory header on my Y2K M2. Looks like a very exotic metal, sort of space age, and bronze age at the same time. | ||
| Djkaplan |
The 2000 header polishes really nicely. It also resists blueing and emits less heat when polished. No matter how chrome looking you get it with the polishing wheel, it'll turn golden when you heat cycle it a few times. It's amazing to watch the transformation. | ||
| Soslo2 |
ok so i tried to polish mine with the buff ball... saw absolutely no difference.. I then decided to give the dremmel a whirl with a polishing pad.. No change either... I'm not heavily leaning towards the flat black paint. So does anyone know if the high heat paint will adhere to the metal? Is there anything special i should to to prep it? Thanks. | ||
| Blake |
High heat paint has worked well for others. Strange that your header won't polish. Try scotchbrite. Others have achieved amazing results. | ||
| Djkaplan |
I polished my with fine sandpaper, a Dremel tool, and the Dremel polishing compound with the conical buffer. I didn't get it super polished though, just enough to give it a shine. It was like scrubbing a big floor with a toothbrush with that Dremel tool. | ||
| Tnm2 |
The smoother the surface of the metal is, the more light it will reflect. If you prep the pipe as if you were planning to paint it, it will achieve a pretty amazing shine. A quick turn with a buff ball and polish won't remove the peaks and valleys in the metal that absorb the light. This can be done with the header on the bike, but it is a whole lot easier with it off. Start with a relatively rough grade of sandpaper, say 600 dry. You'll actually create scratches with this, but that's ok - it will smooth the roughest parts of the pipe. Progressively sand with finer grits until you get to 1000 - then switch to wet. Wet sand progressively through at least 1500. Finish with super fine steel wool and Blue Magic polish - you can get this stuff at any auto parts store, and it is non-abrasive. You'll be able to see your own smile in the reflection. The pipes will turn gold again after a few heat cycles, but it will be a smooth, shiny gold. To maintain the shine, use the steel wool and the polish. |
