Pipe repair - recommendations?

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JeffKDX
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Pipe repair - recommendations?

Post by JeffKDX »

Exhaust dents... hate 'em.

I've got the FMF "fatty" gold series on my 94 KDX and considered sending the pipe off to Bret Mitchell at PipeRepair. The pipe is actually in pretty good shape, with just a few dings where it crosses over in front of the jug. There is also some "mild" corrosion (gunk) around the head-pipe. I'd like to have the dents removed and get the pipe polished...

I think the dent removal is pretty basic, but the polishing bit is what I'm REALLY after. :-) Has anyone had any experience?
Thanks!
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Post by september9 »

There is some kind of dent repair tool on ebay usually. I don't know anything about them. As for cleaning and shining, can't you just get some steel wool and some kind of metal polish?
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Post by JeffKDX »

Yep, I probably could... just not sure how easy it is. I'll pull the pipe and see how far I can get.

However, it seems that "Piperepair.cOM" does an incredible job for $50+shipping. Anyone have experience with them (and their polish jobs)?
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Post by kicknrocks »

What's a Polish job?
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Post by JeffKDX »

>|<>QBB<
kicknrocks wrote:What's a Polish job?
This is a FMF "Gold Pipe" - it's nickel plated. They get spooge and mild corrosion around the head pipe. Should be able to be polished off and made like new. Nickel plating is pretty tough stuff, I guess.

Check out the guys site: http://www.piperepair.com
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Post by canyncarvr »

I've had pipes undented by Pacific Crest. He does a good job, and the pipes fit when he was done.

I don't know that he polishes anything (that would be without a capital 'P'). I didn't see any mention of such on his website.

My pipes haven't come back spitshined..looked pretty much the way they were in that regard.

Maybe test the steel wool idea. That will scratch the finish..which will make the finish WORSE later. Use WD40 to clean it up..and some good metal polish..like Mother's.

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Post by JeffKDX »

>|<>QBB<
kicknrocks wrote:What's a Polish job?
Eh-heh. Sorry about that. I meant polish without the capital "P" - as in "the use of a light abrasive to clean off the glop and corrosion". This guy says he uses polish, but his web site doesn't mention it. A competitor of his says he blasts the crud off... but he's a few bucks more.
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Post by JeffKDX »

I'll try the metal polish before I send it off. It's really not that bad - I'm just anal. :-) I got my FMF Turbine Core coming now!
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Post by canyncarvr »

IMO, do it after..not before. I don't now the method used ('cuz it's a secret, but polishing it before you send it would be kind'a like waxing your car before you took it to the body shop, wooden it?

Re: 'It's really not that bad - I'm just anal.'

..in which case you may want to use medicated polish. One without alcohol, too!

Re: 'I meant polish without the capital "P"'

I didn't notice that you used a captial 'P'.

Good Luck!

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Post by JeffKDX »

Heh. I guess I didn't.

Anyway - ya, I know it's like waxing the car... but maybe it's like brushing your teeth before you get to the dentist? HAhaha - I dunno.

Everyone tells me he does a nice job on the pipes though... dent-wise. I wrote and asked and he said he polished too. He also re-sells FMF goodies.
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Post by canyncarvr »

Re: 'I wrote and asked and he said he polished too.'

So let HIM do it! After you spend a whole lot of time taking the dents out (gotta do that before you send it to him of course), you'll be plumb tuckered out..so leave him the polishing.

Bet he does it with a toothbrush!

I've never had any luck making my pipe shiny if'n it wasn't pretty much shiny to start with. Seems it's easier to keep it shining than it is to make it shine.

He's just up the road from here. I'll stop by and tell him to take special care with your pipe!!


SURE I will!!! :roll:

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