Exhaust cleaning?

[ncsonderman]

Just wanted to get a sampling of ideas on how best to remove a plastic bag that melted to my exhaust. I think that it was one of the types that you get at the grocery that I managed to snag while riding to Florida last week.

 

I applied a wet paper towel to the area for about 10 minutes with no positive results to speak of.

 

Next idea: Metal Polish, Never Dull...

 

Thanks for the thoughts!

[Tony_K]

No solvent will take it off.

A straight edge razor and some scraping will.

It wont scratch the stainless unless your really trying to.

3 or 4 zero steel wool to clean up afterwards.

[Ken H.]

Take the worst of it off hot. Carefully!

[ncsonderman]

Thanks guys. That's about what I expected. I could not believe the amount of litter as I rode South on I-77 through Charlotte. It turns out that a semi did not have a properly covered trailer hauling recyclables (spelling?)

 

Tony, love the avatar I'm haven't messed with it enough to know how to get a moving image on there.

[IanW]

Oven cleaner will work, dont get it on anything else.

[s3steve]

Funny you should post this now. I had a green garbage bag touch the hot header pipe on my RT when I did the oil change for the winter layup and was going ask the same question today.

 

What about a hot air gun and a scraper for the initial part and 0000 steel wool for the finish?

[ncsonderman]

Thanks Ian, I'll try it since I've already got it laying around the house. I can always fall back on the razor blades.

 

Glad I could help Steve

[Tony_K]

If a hot air gun = heat gun then sure. But watch where you point the thing.

 

Joe

Oven cleaner = paint remover be very careful if you do this as the cleaner often times splats out. It can/ will mare the finish on painted surfaces, frame and some plastics .

 

Not enough to peel paint but will dull the finish. Often times you wont see it in the garage but in the sun light... oops!

[Penrod]

Use laquer (sp?) thinner. Had the same thing happen to me, it came off with no, repeat no scratching. I polished afterwards with my favorite polish and all was like new.

[RickS]

Aluminum foil and WD-40. Cold exhaust, dirt and grime washed away, simply take a piece of aluminum foil and wad it up, spray WD-40 on the area to be cleaned and also on the foil. A little light rubbing and the plastic is gone.

 

The theory is that the aluminum is softer than the chrome or stainless, the WD-40 lubricates and floats the debris away. I've used this method for years with excellent results.