dduelin
Site Supporter
With nearly 3000 miles on my NC now I noticed the stainless steel muffler was beginning to show the effects of heat and oxidation. This shows up as a brownish or golden tint to the polished stainless steel. While some owners may like the effect as a badge of miles ridden I prefer to keep the oxidation at bay. It is just cosmetic and doesn't hurt the metal but I prefer to remove it.
There are metal polishes that can remove it but I am basically a lazy person and prefer better living through chemicals. No rubbing and polishing for me if I can help it. I took some Bar Keeper's Friend and made a paste of BKF and a little water and applied it to the muffler, leaving it for about 3 minutes. BKF is purchased at a grocery store in the household cleaners and it has oxalic acid in it with a little abrasive. Rubbing is not necessary and may scratch the polished metal so don't really rub it in, just a wet paste is applied with a sponge or paper towel. After 2 or 3 minutes rinse with water and the oxidation is removed. These pictures don't really show the effect as well as it works.
There are metal polishes that can remove it but I am basically a lazy person and prefer better living through chemicals. No rubbing and polishing for me if I can help it. I took some Bar Keeper's Friend and made a paste of BKF and a little water and applied it to the muffler, leaving it for about 3 minutes. BKF is purchased at a grocery store in the household cleaners and it has oxalic acid in it with a little abrasive. Rubbing is not necessary and may scratch the polished metal so don't really rub it in, just a wet paste is applied with a sponge or paper towel. After 2 or 3 minutes rinse with water and the oxidation is removed. These pictures don't really show the effect as well as it works.