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    1. 03-24-2010 #1
      Bishop73's Avatar
      Bishop73
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      Cleaning headers.

      I have an issue with some burnt oil on my coated headers. Does anyone know a way to remove it without damaging the header coating? It's pretty thick and baked on in a few spots so I'm hoping I can get it off. I was told to try Simple Green but haven't done it yet.



      Anyone have any experience with this? My motor is ready to put back in the car so now I'm motivated to get off my arse and clean them up.
      Robert Banks




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    3. 03-25-2010 #2
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      martZ
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      Yep, Simple Green and a lot of elbow grease.
      Marty Koppes
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    4. 03-30-2010 #3
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      Bishop73
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      Eh, the oil just laughed at me when I tried the Simple Green. I didn't use an abrasive to scrub with, too scared to try anything more than a towel.
      Robert Banks




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    5. 03-30-2010 #4
      TwinSting
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      I have used billet wheel polish in the past on small spots and it worked well.
      Shaun
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    6. 03-30-2010 #5
      djorgensen3
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      Try the home cleaner called Kaboom. Used it on my busa exhaust with success.
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    7. 03-31-2010 #6
      CarPlayLB
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      I have used wheel cleaner, the spray on stuff, with the finest steel wool (0000 I think) you can find. This has taken crud off my headers and actually makes them shine a bit!
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    8. 03-31-2010 #7
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      Thanks for the info guys, I'll try some of those tonight.
      Last edited by Bishop73; 03-31-2010 at 10:32 AM. Reason: Forgot try
      Robert Banks




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    9. 03-31-2010 #8
      jocko124
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      Quote Originally Posted by Bishop73 View Post
      Thanks for the info guys, I'll try some of those tonight.
      Let us know what worked please.
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    10. 04-09-2010 #9
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      Well, I've been able to try the Simple Green with a medium steel wool. It worked ok, but I think it may be getting into the coating. I am going to try the lighter steel wool and the wheel cleaner next.
      Robert Banks




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    11. 04-09-2010 #10
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      Uhh... dont they make a ceramic header coat cleaner? Dont have a set yet, but pretty sure I browsed by it when shopping for my headers last night.

      Gaetano Cosentino
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    12. 04-11-2010 #11
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      Quote Originally Posted by Gitter Dun View Post
      Uhh... dont they make a ceramic header coat cleaner? Dont have a set yet, but pretty sure I browsed by it when shopping for my headers last night.
      Hmm, no idea but I will be checking on it now.
      Robert Banks




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    13. 04-12-2010 #12
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      Did you get them cleaned up?
      Curious to see how it came out
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    14. 04-12-2010 #13
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      Quote Originally Posted by Tig View Post
      Did you get them cleaned up?
      Curious to see how it came out
      Yeah, same here.

      Gaetano Cosentino
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    15. 07-29-2010 #14
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      Well after numerous attempts to clean them, nothing worked. I tried 00 steel wool with simple green, that got a little bit of the light oil areas. I tried the steel wool with wheel polish, that did nothing at all. Tried one last time before new motor went in and still no luck. Thankfully the big nasty bits are mostly unseen. Thanks for all the suggestions!
      Robert Banks




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    16. 08-11-2010 #15
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      blown71
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      How about oven cleaner?
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    17. 08-11-2010 #16
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      LOL. The burnt oil is the coating on my heddmans. They were like that from day one when I set the valve lash the old fashion way.
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    18. 08-12-2010 #17
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      I have used Mother's Mag Polish to clean them up.

      Heavily burned oil stains I use Brake cleaner first.
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    19. 08-12-2010 #18
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      PhillipM
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      I've used both oven cleaner and scrubbing bubbles bathroom foam with success. Both requried some elbow grease but nothing too crazy.
      Phillip
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    20. 08-12-2010 #19
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      Try some flat top stove cleaner.....

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    21. 08-19-2010 #20
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      When I used 0000 steel wool it removed burnt oil stains but also left the finish a little dull. However, it wasn't where it was visible. Took alot of work!
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