Couple of weeks ago I accidentally put my heat shield in contact with a rubber traffic cone while backing the bike up. The encounter left some nice ugly marks on the heat shield which wouldn't come off with any of the polishing or detailing stuff I have.

Met a guy at Biketoberfest that said to pour lacquer thinner on a microfiber towel and wipe the area down while the pipes are cold, and that will remove the marks and leave the heat shields nice and shiney. I questioned him about lacquer thinner damaging them and he said no, no problem. Has anyone used lacquer thinner to do this and if so how has it turned out?

Thanks!

 

It wont harm chrome

 

Lacquer thinner or acetone... neither will harm any metal surface. Stay away from painted surfaces though.

 

I've had rubber on my pipes several times and while searching the forum I found several suggestions of using oven cleaner. Watch the paint though. I've had great success with easy-off and hope this might help. Search the forum for this. Heat the pipes up, I use a disposable brush and oven cleaner in a bowl.

 

Oven cleaner works great, but you do not want to spray it near the bike and get any on it other than the pipe you are cleaning. I put mine on a rag and then wipe it onto the pipe.

 

I've successfully used "Goof-Off" to remove rubber boot heel melted onto the pipes, and it also removed some melted nylon cover when I backed the bike up too far and contacted on of my car covers.