The interior of your motorcycle's exhaust is inevitably stained over time by the combination of heat, salt, water and carbon build-up. Cleaning the inside of your motorcycle's muffler should be done at home. It should be part of your motorcycle maintenance routine because clogged pots can cause backfire, which is surprising and dangerous.
Exhaust pipes - general information:
Do not hesitate to consult our guide on exhaust pipes to learn more about this essential component in every motorcycle. In this article, we discuss the different types of exhaust that exist, how they work and buying advice if you want to replace your exhaust.
How to clean the inside of your motorcycle's exhaust?
The interior of your motorcycle's muffler is forgiving so you can clean them roughly. If they look dull brown and feel rough to the touch, it's time for a deep clean.
Remove stains before cleaning the inside of your motorcycle's muffler
The most recommended way to clean the inside of your motorcycle's exhaust is to use soap, water, and window cleaner. Wipe the surface with a sponge or rags. This is an effective cleaning method for common carbon build-up stains and water spots. This also applies to anything burnt in the pipes, such as bugs and insect guts.
For more stubborn clumps that really stick to the chrome, you can use other softening agents like carburetor cleaner, oven cleaner, and tar remover.
Not all chrome stains are removable. Blue and gold colored stains are more difficult to remove. These unique stains are called "bluing" and can be removed with an anti-bluing agent. This usually happens when the chrome is not equipped with full coverage heat shields.
Softening agents available on Amazon
Use an acid to clean the inside of your motorcycle's exhaust
There are tons of mild acids you can use to remove the discoloration. You can use toilet cleaners containing 9% hydrochloric acid to remove discoloration. You can also use white vinegar. Just keep in mind that the milder the acid, the more you will have to repeat the soak.
White vinegar available on Amazon
The first step is to remove dirt and clumps. Toilet cleaners get stuck on the bogs and this can lead to plugging. You can soak them with damp rags before removing them with a steel brush. Once the surface is clean and smooth, apply the acid. You may need to do this a few times until the discolorations are completely gone.
To speed up the cleaning process, soak the hose in acid for a few hours. Add agitators like nuts and bolts. Shake the hose, rinse and repeat. Agitators will scrape the interior surface and remove discolorations.
Some toilet cleaners, especially the harsher variants, can permanently damage the interior of your motorcycle's exhaust. Start with a mild cleanser and do several soaks to avoid serious and permanent damage.
Rinse off all traces of acid completely when you are done. If they remain inside your motorcycle's exhaust, they could lead to corrosion of the metal. Use a microfiber towel to completely wipe down the jars. Microfiber towels are great because they are soft and won't scratch the pipes. They are also extremely absorbent.
Polish the metal
There are many metal polishes you can use. Pair it with a metallic wool to polish the surface of the metal. Be sure to use the finest wool possible to minimize damage. Rub until the surface is smooth and free of stains. It may take you longer if the acid you used caused a chemical peel.
Burns are caused by the extreme heat given off by the combustion of air and fuel in the chambers. We can fix it either by replacing her or by using a metal polish and a fine mesh. More severe cases can be treated with oven cleaners. Be careful when using oven cleaners as the product can splash all over the place and damage your motorcycle.
Wipe off excess product with a clean cloth. You can add a top coat of heat resistant coating, such as a silicone coating, to keep your exhaust cleaner longer.
Pollution products available on Amazon
Our recommended products for cleaning the inside of your motorcycle's exhaust pipe:
To conclude, here are some recommended products on Amazon:
