[richnct]

While investigating some heat treating issues at work I stumbled on this info. It might be useful to someone. I cut and paste, I know nothing more about it. It sounds like a Shep idea, except there is no used brake fluid in the formula!

Here is a "Practical Plater," solution to your dilemma. Many years ago, a customer approached with motorcycle exhaust parts that had a blue/irridescent color to them. All he wanted to know was how to get this off. Obviously, it was an oxide similar to the one you describe, and was caused by high temperatures on the pipe (without heat sinks or fins).

The cure was rather inelegant. We took some dilute Phosphoric Acid (I remember 10% by volume), and used reverse current gotten from a few flashlight batteries wired together. The part was made anodic and the cathode was a piece of Stainless wrapped in cotton which was saturated with the Phosphoric acid Solution.

In seconds, the blue color came off, and the blue bright color of the chrome was again in evidence.

 

[Shep]

While investigating some heat treating issues at work I stumbled on this info. It might be useful to someone. I cut and paste, I know nothing more about it. It sounds like a Shep idea, except there is no used brake fluid in the formula!

Here is a "Practical Plater," solution to your dilemma. Many years ago, a customer approached with motorcycle exhaust parts that had a blue/irridescent color to them. All he wanted to know was how to get this off. Obviously, it was an oxide similar to the one you describe, and was caused by high temperatures on the pipe (without heat sinks or fins).

The cure was rather inelegant. We took some dilute Phosphoric Acid (I remember 10% by volume), and used reverse current gotten from a few flashlight batteries wired together. The part was made anodic and the cathode was a piece of Stainless wrapped in cotton which was saturated with the Phosphoric acid Solution.

In seconds, the blue color came off, and the blue bright color of the chrome was again in evidence.

Cool.Me likey

 

[marshallf3]

Who would have thought? I keep the stuff around but my pipes aren't blue so I can't test it out.



Out of all the acids I keep around I eventually use phosphoric when it comes to rust.



I've got some spot rusting on the frame and I plan to go over it with a paintbrush of diluted phosphoric, rinse it off after it's worked then rinse again with 91% isopropyl to nab the remaining water before I spot paint.



Let's see, in my arsenal of acids I've got:



Citric

Muriatic

Nitric

Sulfamic

Phosphoric

 

[DavidfromWisconsin]

Who would have thought? I keep the stuff around but my pipes aren't blue so I can't test it out.



Out of all the acids I keep around I eventually use phosphoric when it comes to rust.



I've got some spot rusting on the frame and I plan to go over it with a paintbrush of diluted phosphoric, rinse it off after it's worked then rinse again with 91% isopropyl to nab the remaining water before I spot paint.



Let's see, in my arsenal of acids I've got:



Citric

Muriatic

Nitric

Sulfamic

Phosphoric

No LSD???

 

[marshallf3]

No LSD???

Tried that once, turned the header pipes colors I've never even seen before.

 

[Old Okie]

I am a little slow, tired I guess, no LSD, awww shooot.

The headers on my Beamer are very blue, going to try to cure that come winter.

Re-chrome maybe if the acid does not work, Marshall, you getting this.....??

These double wall pipes are good, even after 30 years of use.

 

[marshallf3]

I am a little slow, tired I guess, no LSD, awww shooot.

The headers on my Beamer are very blue, going to try to cure that come winter.

Re-chrome maybe if the acid does not work, Marshall, you getting this.....??

These double wall pipes are good, even after 30 years of use.

I'm reading, and I've got the acid.