How to Fix Bluing on Motorcycle Exhausts

Over time, heat from a motorcycle's exhaust can cause a bluing discoloration on the exhaust pipes. The bluing on the pipes is generally an indication that the motorcycle exhaust system is running too hot. This is a common and unsightly problem among most motorcycle owners. Removing the discoloration is a fairly simple process that requires few tools.

Step 1 - Dust Pipes

Once the pipes have completely cooled down, dust them off with a microfiber cloth. Make sure to remove any excess debris and dirt.

Step 2 - Wash Motorcycle

Wash motorcycle and pipes thoroughly with motorcycle shampoo. All of the grease, dirt and debris must be removed in order for the polish to clean the pipes effectively. If their is any dirt or debris left, this could possibly scratch the chrome in the polishing process. Make sure that you dry the pipes with a microfiber cloth.

Step 3 - Polish Pipes

Place some of the polish onto a microfiber cloth and dab onto exhaust pipe. Rub the polish onto the pipe using a small circular motion. Polish only one square inch section at a time. Once that area of the pipe is clean, move to another blue area using a clean section of the cloth. Repeat until pipes are free of all the bluing.

Step 4 - Buff Pipes

Once you have polished the blue discoloration from all the pipes, use a clean microfiber cloth to buff pipes to a perfect finish. If desired, wash with motorcycle shampoo again before buffing.

It is best to polish the pipes in the shade to prevent the pipes from getting too hot. Also, make sure to use a liquid polish. Powder polish contains abrasives that will scratch the chrome finish of the motorcycle pipes. Overtime, this can completely strip the finish off of the pipes. Also, please note that chrome polish takes off a very thin layer of chrome every time it is used. For that reason, this will not be a process that you want to repeat every week.

Unfortunately, there is not much that can be done to prevent the bluing of pipes on your motorcycle. One option that you can use to hide the bluing is to cover your motorcycle pipes with a plastic or chrome covering. These can come in many different shapes, sizes and colors. Some people like to use these pipe covers for aesthetic reasons to decorate their motorcycle. Other people like to use these covers for the purpose of protecting their bike. However, there is no evidence that these covers will protect the pipes from bluing completely. You may find that there is still some bluing once the covers have been removed. In this case, it is important to have your system checked by a licensed mechanic on a regular basis to ensure it is running properly and not over heating.