Removing oil stains from Exhaust.

[KnoxvillePig]

Can anybody elaborate on the best method to remove oil stains from stainless steel exhaust tubes? I have heard that oven cleaner and a scotch brite pad does the trick.

Thanks,

Darrell

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1969 Camaro RS/SS L-78

[Don_Lightfoot]

When needed on my stainless system Darrell I use SOS pads and a lot of elbow grease. My system is not polished. A different approach may be required for a polished system.

I will also follow this thread for other alternatives.

[KnoxvillePig]

Thank you Don. I love The Blue Beast (just checked it out).
Anyone else have any recommendations or ever use oven cleaner?

Darrell

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1969 Camaro RS/SS L-78

[camarojoe]

for polished systems, just use finer grade steel wool, either 00 or 000, but it will require even more elbow grease... i wouldn't use oven cleaner, as it's likely to etch the stainless, giving you a new problem all together. Another recommendation is to then fix the oil leak thats causing the staining in the first place.

[KnoxvillePig]

Thanks Joe, I'll probably stay away from the oven cleaner and just use extra elbow grease.

The oil leak was from a valve cover gasket that had apparently dry rotted. The car sat in storage for quite a while and was rarely driven by the gentleman I bought it from.

Unfortunately, some oil had already leaked down to one of the exhaust pipes before I realized the problem. However, I strongly suspect there will be no more problems w/ leaky valve cover gaskets considering the motor was pulled from the car shortly after.

Thanks again

Darrell

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1969 Camaro RS/SS L-78

[Plowman]

While working in a welding shop, welding stainless steel you sometimes get stains. We used lemon juice on a shop rag and it took it right out! Try a spot and see how it works.

[KnoxvillePig]

Thanks for your help Plowman. I will give it a try tomorrow and see if it works.

Darrell

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1969 Camaro RS/SS L-78

[jds353]

follow up with arm & hammer wipe down. jd

[KnoxvillePig]

[ QUOTE ]
While working in a welding shop, welding stainless steel you sometimes get stains. We used lemon juice on a shop rag and it took it right out! Try a spot and see how it works.

[/ QUOTE ]

WOW, I just tried the lemon juice and the oil stains came right out w/ almost no elbow grease involved. I have used several different cleaners w/ little to no results. However, the lemon juice worked like MAGIC. I then followed up w/ the Arm & Hammer wipe down. It worked so well I went ahead and cleaned the other exhaust tube. They ended up looking brand new. Thanks guys.


Darrell

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1969 Camaro RS/SS L-78