Refinish Messico Pipe, Options?

[OKFiremanMark]

My 98 ec 250 has a messico pipe with just a few dents and dings, also the finish is just about gone. I would like do something to protect it from further rusting and improve its appearance. Maybe get it powdercoated or re-plated. Was it originally nickle plated or chrome?

 

[Rick]

Neither....bare metal with a clear coating applied to prevent rust. The clear coat has since washed off, now all I use a scotch brite pad (green) and WD40....

Pacific Coast Pipe Repair can remove thoses dents and dings......just be aware that the Messico pipe is paper thin....will damage very easy.

 

[StuJohnson]

I know that for unfinished pipes manufactures recommend to use CLR - Calcium Lime Rust Cleaner.
You can purchase at Home Depot and Lowes.
(MAKE SURE TO WEAR RUBBER GLOVES AND SAFETY GLASSES WHEN USING)

After cleaning cover pipe with motor oil...

Looks like this....
http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/clr-calcium-lime-rust-cleaner/ID=prod1765587-product

Here is what my Scalvini pipe looks like after cleaning it and covering with motor oil.

 

[OKFiremanMark]

Some clear coat remains in a few places on the pipe. Maybe remove it first. Sandpaper or a wire wheel. Also, are you just putting motor oil on a rag and wiping on the pipe, then wait for it to dry? (Thin layer)

 

[bowhunter007]

Some clear coat remains in a few places on the pipe. Maybe remove it first. Sandpaper or a wire wheel. Also, are you just putting motor oil on a rag and wiping on the pipe, then wait for it to dry? (Thin layer)

Remove remaining clear(whatever method). Wipe on a skin coat of ANY oil. It won't dry, but won't last long, either. You'll still need to clean pipe, and wipe it down periodically. I wouldn't bother trying to remove remaining clear, since it will come off by itself.

 

[Rick]

I just use WD40....(W)ater (D)isplacement....spray a coat on the pipe or a rag, wipe it on.....easy.

My pipe looked like this after a race:


After a wash scrub and WD40 looks like this:

 

[StuJohnson]

Some clear coat remains in a few places on the pipe. Maybe remove it first. Sandpaper or a wire wheel. Also, are you just putting motor oil on a rag and wiping on the pipe, then wait for it to dry? (Thin layer)

Yes I just wipe it on. Then buff out the next day.
That being said is what Scalvini recommends. And that is because it is raw metal with no coating on it.

 

[webmaster]

As stated by others here - the pipe was originally bare metal and clear coated.

Wd-40 on pipes works well - at least on 4 stroke pipes - if used repeatedly it will "blue" the metal and nothing sticks to it...

If you want to have the pipe coated - ceramic coating would be the way to go...

jeff

 

[OKFiremanMark]

Thanks for the tips guys, I will try wd 40 and motor oil and see which I like best. Rick, what year is the fender on your bike? That is not the original is it?

 

[Rick]

No sir....it is not.....Polisport Suzuki universal yellow......you drill the holes....matches, clears the frame....not as sexy as the OEM.....1/2 the price......my issue was finding a OEM in yellow.

 

[Zman]

I have used the ceramic coat on my turbo headers and plumbing. It works well on the outside surfaces, but it brittle and chips off in areas that are dented. It is kind of expensive too.

 

[OKFiremanMark]

Good info! I have started removing the surface rust with 200 grit sandpaper and carb cleaner. Finished one section and coated with wd-40. Will post pics when finished. It is shining up pretty well.