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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 429
Learner Plates Off!
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Learner Plates Off!
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 429 |
Hey High Noon,
Thanks for your feedback. I agree with you that the headers are too hot for the Kevlar wrap. As I mentioned in my original post, even with a new set of wraps, I am not confident in their sustainability.
So you think it's best to keep our pipes unwrapped? I do worry about someone accidentally touching them and getting injured....mainly children who wouldn't know any better.
If I do decide to leave them unwrapped, can anyone recommend a really good metal polish? The pipes, with only 385 miles, are already deeply corroded and i would like to try to keep them looking as good as possible. At least you can't see it while sitting in that fantastic interior. It is possible to polish them but to do it properly they would need to be removed. I did this recently when fitting the Stage 1 ( added some photos to the blog.) They run cooler with the Stage 1 and discolour slightly slower.. Autosol do a polish called anti blue which surprisingly does work but only on already polished stainless.
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,242 Likes: 72
Talk Morgan Expert
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Talk Morgan Expert
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,242 Likes: 72 |
Have a look on Ebay at these: 391507510658. They do fit and are not that expensive if, like me, you decide that they are maybe not the "right look" after all. You will probably still get burnt but they do reduce the severity of burns from hot exhausts
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 429
Learner Plates Off!
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Learner Plates Off!
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 429 |
To prove it is just about possible (if you have nothing better to do) These headers are over two years old and 7k miles. Surface blueing wipes off with a sponge and Autosol blue remover (2mins) then a buff up with Autosol stainless polish. They don't discolour quite as quickly with the Stage 1 probably because they don't get quite as hot.
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,370 Likes: 11
Has a lot to Say!
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Has a lot to Say!
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,370 Likes: 11 |
I concur with greenteagod on this. I have used the so-called titaniun wrap from DEI and it fell off in clumps after about 700 miles. The fiberglass wraps will last longer but the heat will bleach them back to white and then they'll fall off. The heat is simply too much! The wrap you have is fiberglass, not kevlar.
If you're going to rewrap the headers do them back to front.
If you're doing the wrap to protect children treat them like the young adults they are. This is like a wood burning stove in the living room. They will touch it exactly once! They will feel the heat radiating off the engine long before they are close enough to touch it.
The stock stainless pipes turned black over time before they cracked off due to mechanical stress. I replaced them with the matt black pipes. I gave up going for the pretty and shiny look as it would require too much time to maintain. Some parts of the car look like s%&t but I've over 32,000 miles of fun to show for it.
What's your mileage? Who cares. Is it practical? See #1. What happens when it rains? You get wet.
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Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 91
Just Getting Started
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Just Getting Started
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 91 |
The pipe will always keep oxidizing. I asked a header builder what to use, he said a polish called "Bartenders Friend" is the best. I don't know anything about it. Regarding safety from hot pipes, my Victory has chrome shields on the first 18 or so inches on the pipes, But the mufflers can still melt shoe soles.. Seems like someone on TM posted a similar shield product that would fit our cars. You are referring to "barkeepers friend". Many people use them to clean their stainless all clad pots and pans. You can find it in powder form or liquid form at stores like bed bath and beyond and probably the grocery store.
2017 Morgan 3 Wheeler -BRG Shark 2008 Lotus Elise California Edition -Red 2009 Land Rover LR2 -Black
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Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 371
Learner Plates Off!
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Learner Plates Off!
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 371 |
Tom, I'm surprised at the state of your wrap. I recall you have the MMC Stage 1 kit like me? My headers are definitely not getting as hot as those without the stage 1 kit. I left mine unwrapped and are only just 'blueing' after 300 miles...
'16 M3W '44 Willys Jeep '16 Westfield 11
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Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 213
L - Learner Plates On
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L - Learner Plates On
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 213 |
Possible solution - make you own 1/2 shields from some spare/cast off pipes, clamp them on with some spacers, polish them up, and you're off.
Inge
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Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,490
Has a lot to Say!
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Has a lot to Say!
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,490 |
The Original Ken 11,000 miles.
2014 BMW R9T 2005 Saabaru 2005 Saabaru
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Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 8,657 Likes: 407
Needs to Get Out More!
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Needs to Get Out More!
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 8,657 Likes: 407 |
Tom, I'm surprised at the state of your wrap. I recall you have the MMC Stage 1 kit like me? My headers are definitely not getting as hot as those without the stage 1 kit. I left mine unwrapped and are only just 'blueing' after 300 miles... Interesting observation Glenn. With standard exhausts mine blued (and purpled) quickly from new. Although polishing never got back the "as new" shine, it did remove the blueing although only until the next blast. Since fitting MMC stage 1 kit around 400 miles ago, front pipes retain the appearance since last polish 
Richard
2018 Roadster 3.7 1966 Land Rover S2a 88 2024 Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 1945 Guzzi Airone
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,016 Likes: 2
Has a lot to Say!
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Has a lot to Say!
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,016 Likes: 2 |
Polar - I've put 3 very carefully installed sets of wrap on my car - including the DEI Titanium stuff - and it always comes off after about 500 or so miles. It's simply not built to withdtand all that heat, wet and Force 10 gales all the time.
Having finally admitted defeat and removed it once and for all, the pipes were of course very discoloured, so instead of having them properly ceramic coated immediately (which has worked wonderfully on other cars), I thought I'd give some specialist High Temp Exhaust paint a go and right now the results are good. A little flaking on one pipe as I failed to prep the surface properly I suspect, but overall I'm pretty happy. Super easy just to touch up a pipe every now and then to keep them looking good.
I've never been a fan of very shiny chrome - way too much trouble to keep clean after a drive and I've seen too many friends go all reluctant to venture out if the roads are claggy, just through fear of the time it will take them to get their bikes/cars back up to high reflective spec again....
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