Melted Plastic On Pipes and My Experience With Easy Off Oven Cleaner
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,051
Likes: 50
From: Florence, MT (Bitterroot Valley)
Years and years of riding and getting crap on the exhaust taught me that a penny was the best friend I had. No quarter or nickel as they potentially scratch the chrome. The copper in the penny is softer and won't scratch. Just an old "trick" from years gone by.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Ventura County - So Cal
My method is to saturate some 0000 Steel Wool with liquid polishing compound and rub lightly. Does wonders for melted boot sole marks and doesn't mar the chrome. No need to heat anything up.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 565
Likes: 1
From: Pittsburgh
I use Walmart's brand of Easy Off. Also comes in a can with a yellow top. The exhaust doesn't need to be really hot. Just warm to mildly warm. I use a sponge and spray the EO on it and then I wipe it on the pipe, trying to get a reasonable amount directly on the plastic. Let is stand for a couple of minutes and then begin to scrape it off. If the pipes cool down start the bike up again, let it run a couple on minutes and then do the EO again. Eventually you will get to the point of just needing to rub the EO on with the sponge and then scrub it a bit. When you're satisfied then rinse thoroughly with warm water, let the pipe cool and then put a good coat of chrome polish on.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 943
Likes: 41
I've used the razor blade method and it works very well. The thinner the blade the better. Coat the burned plastic or shoe sole generously with oil or gel type hand cleaner (I use Goop) and let it set for a few minutes. Lightly skim the burned plastic with the blade edge almost parallel with the pipe to avoid scratching. Keep the burned material moist with oil or hand cleaner and use just enough pressure on the blade to remove the burnt stuff without digging into the pipe and scratching. Clean up with chrome cleaner and good as new.
I have used 0000 steel wool dipped in soap and water for years for boot marks etc. The soap and water acts as a lubricant to keep it from scratching. Also works great for spoke wheels.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa, Ontaro
I originally posted in the touring section because that's what I ride. Then I thought there may be a lot of people who wouldn't see the post so put it in the general chat section. If I breached forum etiquette, my apologies.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 817
Likes: 26
From: PA
Way that works the best for me is warm pipe and put EO on a red shop rag ( dont use microfiber) and liberally put on the pipe. Let the EO sit on the pipe for a few minutes, put some more EO on the shop rag and it comes off pretty well with no scratches. Must turn the rag as it fills up with the plastic. If the plastic doesn't come off with the rag, put a liberal amount of EO on the mark and rub with marine bronz wool . Worked great in getting a heck of a lot of melted frog togg rain suit off after 600 miles in the rain a couple weeks ago. using things to scrape stuff out always gave me bad results.
Last edited by beammeup; Aug 8, 2013 at 06:13 AM.