Exhaust Downpipe Cleaner. Autosol, Harpic and Optiglanz. Yeah i know.. Harpic is not bleach!

A lightweight contender, An old pro, And the Ivan Drago of exhaust cleaners battle it out. Ohh and yes i am now aware...HARPIC IS NOT BLEACH!! ok i get it.
#harpic #harpicexhaust #exhaustcleaner

[@alexmorgan3435]

Why didn't you wear gloves or protect you bike engine block with plastic cover? Acid is very bad for aluminium. It will dissolve it if strong enough or left in contact with it long enough.

[@billy4rocks]

Coz im hard.

[@misstelanious2025]

Really greatful I found your video. Many thanks for taking the time to make it

[@billy4rocks]

You are welcome, hope it helps.

[@nathangarciamuro]

Great video and comparison. I didn’t know that Autosol existed. I will go to the store and get it. Thanks a bunch.

[@billy4rocks]

Cheers Zaska, yeah its great stuff you wont be disappointed.

[@anthonyortiz4538]

I really appreciate this video I was having a hard time choosing between autosol and optiglanz to clean my MK7 GTI downpipe thanks a lot, great video mate

[@billy4rocks]

No worries Anthony, cheers! 🙌

[@dwangs465]

Cheers for the video buddy really helpful.

[@billy4rocks]

No worries Growler. Cheers.

[@bmulli12]

Growler kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIbUaKSLhMufj5Y

[@rui_bras]

Nice video.

[@L0ND0NITE]

Just used autosol on my stainless steel down pipes discoloured from heat. Easy. Back to a mirror silvery shine now.

[@badbeatking80]

Thanks for this vid. I'm going with the Autosol. Definitely deserve a 👍

[@billy4rocks]

Yeah dude, no problem. 👍

[@liberaamoremio]

Thank you that was really helpfull!

[@billy4rocks]

No problem mate, glad it was of some use. Cheers.

[@FirstnameLastname-dm2xl]

steel wool?

[@pistonheater]

i have KTM duke 390 so its exhaust pipe travels over the engine but under it .. so i fear using harsh chemicals that it can corrode the engine paint and others parts .. so i use dishwasher liquid and scotch brite scrubber to clean and apply metal polish afterwards .. is it okay ?? please reply ..

[@Team-fabulous]

Iv used harpic with good results and when using the solvo iv used some fine wire wool which really helps but the best product for cleaning stainless is pickle paste, stainless fabricators use it to remove blueing after welding but it's dangerous stuff as it will lift the skin from your bones. As with all these types of products keep them away from aluminium as it will eat it alive.. Good video..

[@billy4rocks]

teamfab cheers mate, i might have to check that out.

[@SixmiffedyUkvlog]

Autosol is amazing, not cleaned my exhaust for the entirety of winter, small amount with 5 mins elbow grease and looks almost like it went off the factory floor 15 years ago (minus the pitting). I wonder if the bleach would do as good a job as Gunk for the wheels or if Autosol would get the grease off them as well.

[@billy4rocks]

Its quality stuff for sure, I reckon the bleach probably would do a as good a job as gunk, but id be super cautious about getting near any paint work, its pretty brutal stuff.

[@SixmiffedyUkvlog]

Yeah I think I'll stick to the gunk and the brushes for the wheel with an autosol finisher :)

[@1240enzo]

As Matt from the workshop explains be really really careful if you are going to use a product like Harpic (as it contains hydrochloride acid). Compounds like this acid, and similarly anything with caustic are corrosive to alloys. So you never want to get this on your wheels and or any other parts of your bike that are made from aluminium or alloys. Autosol is fine as it’s simply a metal polish. Out here in Oz and likewise over in NZ we don’t use salt on the roads. Finally as my exhaust is wrapped, polishing my downpipes is a non issue.

[@captainwin6333]

They should just make all downpipes brown in the first place. Save everyone the bother!

[@bmulli12]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIbUaKSLhMufj5Y Captain Win

[@vitobelas3699]

Manufacturers make exhaust as cheap as possible, couse they know owners will replace it anyway, so no point to paint it

[@richardtaylor3047]

Amazing,wonder if that Harpic is ok to use on the block behind the down pipes,where it gets grubby too

[@billy4rocks]

Ive yet to try it on any painted surfaces, good idea though, I might do a little patch test on a heavily soiled area, see how it fares. Thanks for the comment. Cheers.

[@roythearcher]

DON'T! the acid in the cleaner will eat your paint!

[@thepangolin5022]

Also if the alloy has got ANY zinc in it, it will go all blotchy and horrible.

[@richardferro2545]

I would use the 1st cleaner to get the heavy stuff off quickly then used the polish. I use a product called flitz. After polishing, I give a thin wipe with ACF50 then dry it off. They key is not to let them get so bad to begin with.

[@donwetherell8738]

Richard Ferro that's what thought. I've been using solvol autosol for about 45 years and it's great. A combination of the harpsichord then the solvol would be my option.

[@KJC3101]

You didn't apply a bit of elbow grease when using the bleach like you did when you used the autosol. I seen previous video and the user used a scourer when rinsing off bleach and it appeared to come up as good as yours did with the autosol. Autoglanz needs to be left for a minimum of three minutes to be most effective.

[@AmatuerEnthusiast]

Very good video. I done one myself using Harpic. Great results!

[@billy4rocks]

Amatuer Enthusiast thank you very much! Its amazing stuff, and my toilet has never been so clean! Cheers.

[@randomrides]

I just stumbled upon your video right after cleaning my downpipes. I buy the Harpic power plus from the poundshop so it's very cheap, applied with a brush and left for 5-10 mins, I then wash it off with a green pot scrubber then I apply autosol and polish. It works extremely well so there is absolutely no way would I pay £25 for that opti-glanse stuff. Like you said the downpipes can be awkward and overlooked but I find that it's a great time to clean the frame and underside of the engine while there with GT 85 or ACF50. One last thing I'd like to mention is when I've used Harpic alone the exhaust change colour and look dirty again once the heat gets to them. Using autosol as well helps keep them shiny 😁 Regards RR

[@billy4rocks]

Cheers Random, yeah i agree with you regarding the autosol, great idea to apply that after the harpic. Ive yet to try GT-85, might have to give it a shot.

[@randomrides]

@@billy4rocks GT85 is a bit like WD40 but contains PTFE (Teflon) really gets the grime off and makes everything look clean Not used on the downpipes) and for god's sake keep it away from the brake pads/disc and forks. ACF50 is in my opinion expensive but has a very good reputation. It's used in aviation to keep corrosion off planes etc. But if applied to your bike before winter it really does help keep corrosion away in the horrible wet winters.

[@billy4rocks]

Just ordered some, £3:00 a can from amazon, thanks for the info, and the sub! Nice one.

[@randomrides]

@@billy4rocks if you have a local Wilkinson's store nearby it's available there and Asda also sell it.

[@SvenTviking]

billy4rocks I was recommended Brick cleaning acid (from builder’s merchants) by my BMW dealer. It’s not as thick as the Harpic though.

[@gvybin]

A word of warning : Although the internet is full with advices to use Harpic Power Plus 10X to clean a stainless steel exhaust, I would strongly advice not to. It contains hydrochloric acid and yes it will clean and penetrate the stainless steel surface impurities, but at the same time it will destroy the surface of some stainless steel products that don't contain enough chromium to form a new passive protective layer. So in the end the cleaned surface will start to oxidice very quick and you do not want that. hydrocloric acid is the one acid that should NOT be used on Stainless steel, it actually destroys its capability to reform a hard chromium surface that prevents it from corroding There are far better, safer products like welders pickling paste , that use milder nitric acid used in passivation solutions. They come in a paste form that is brushed on. Let it sit for half an hour and rinse very thorough (high pressure would be good) with a lot of water. It will clean and decolour the surface perfect and it won't harm the surface of the stainless steel. It is used by welders to clean the coloured and contaminated welding surface on stainless steel welds Just to give a bit of warning.... You shouldn't believe me, search the internet on hydrochloric acid vs stainless steel..... Do the same on nitric acid.( Just don't let the nitric paste come in contact with aluminium.) And one more thing : It is even stated in the Harpic Power Plus product safety data sheet : Reactive or incompatible with the following materials: metals

[@NichoTBE]

these are all acid based products right? So what about corrosion? Should you spray an anti corrosion product on them after using the autosol such as acf50 im wondering?

[@billy4rocks]

NichoTBE its funny you should say that, The vid i done after this is exactly that!. Cheers.

[@markgoscinski3509]

i do a lot of detailing of bikes and if you apply a light treatment of harpic , then wash of with soap/water (within 30 -60 seconds) dry off ,then polish the parts of the pipes with solvol or Belgom to the parts you can get access to the results are extremely good without causing long term damage , and they stay like that for some time depending on type of weather you're out in . To clean the locating flanges i use a dremel with a small cone wire brush as you can't get enough pressure to clean these fiddly bits with solvol etc

[@billy4rocks]

Cheers Mark, appreciate the comment. Nice to get some constructive input that we can actually benefit from instead of hearing people whine like spoilt children, yet not offer up anything off any value.

[@markgoscinski3509]

I am a fully skilled engineer with metallurgy as part of my training , whilst it's not 100% sympathetic to the stainless steel material if done lightly as described there will be no ongoing detrimental issues , ok keyboard know it all warriors I'm waiting for the onslaught of knowledgeable opinions that I'm sure will come now I've offered a reasoned and experienced method .

[@president4971]

What the best product to clean yellow thing from exhaust pipe ?

[@markgoscinski3509]

@@president4971 in the UK it's called "HARPIC MAX STRENGTH" brush on carefully and wash off after 30-60 seconds

[@adamkwalczyk]

Hydrochloric acid used in Harpic damages metal in the long run.

[@globalfallout7249]

I always harpic mine first to get all the deep dirt off with a hard toothbrush or trimmed down paintbrush or a scotch brite scourer a kitchen green used ines best. The autosol them after washing thoroughly leave to dry and then autosol with a sof cloth job dun.

[@billy4rocks]

Globalfallout Ishere cheers mate.

[@billy4rocks]

The scotch brite scourer is a great idea, 2 birds with one stone there! Might give that a try later in the year.

[@pethelprc4721]

i use spray on oven cleaner and a soft brush once a month but i'm talking about just removing some light road grime, and maybe some melted plastic from a grocery bag that's blown onto my hot pipes, nothing like what your pipes look like, that looks like years worth of road grime and weather.....

[@billy4rocks]

Yeah i let mine get pretty bad to be honest, its an everyday commute bike, so they put up with everything london throws at them, never heard anyone use oven cleaner, might have to check that out. Cheers.

[@mottev52]

Are these pipes stainless or Titanium?? Anyone know if the Harpic would work on both ?

[@billy4rocks]

To the best of my knowledge I believe they are stainless.

[@Adriano_Berlin]

The Optiglanz costs about 14€ in Germany...25 Pound is intense

[@billy4rocks]

AdrianoNo1 crazy price, considering bleach did the same job! Cheers

[@eddiegreenslade8970]

Not called rip off Britain for nothing

[@user-jx2np2yb7r]

хороший обзор!!

[@billy4rocks]

ОГРОМНОЕ СПАСИБО!

[@DarujteZivotcz]

Měl ještě s tím tak čtrnáct dní jezdit,aby se vidělo,které koleno se dříve vrátí do původního stavu. 😊

[@tomvivash]

Seems a slightly odd comparison. Two are chemical routes to cleaning the other is abrasive polish? Surely you’d use the chemical then polish? I’d imagine the autoglanz will be less harmful to the metal also.

[@billy4rocks]

I am a bit odd.

[@mick7899]

i use harpic on my pipes then polish up with autosol, shinny shinny

[@billy4rocks]

Good idea, might give that a shot next time, the old double whammy!

[@bmulli12]

mick jump kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIbUaKSLhMufj5Y

[@lrowlands53]

Shiny too.

[@Pytte]

auch, the acid (Hydrochloric Acid) in the Harpic, is not good for aluminium .. careful ..

[@tamar5261]

That's great..do you think harpic would work on my toilet?

[@billy4rocks]

Chris Debono.... no poo stain is safe from this stuff.

[@edwardmulder3777]

Then wax it and it will stay clean longer

[@tombeckett7567]

Autosol ur hole

[@edwardmulder3777]

Vinegar works well, also pour it into the tank

[@raymorris952]

Acid alloy wheel cleaner and green pan pad, hydrochloric acid, stronger and cheaper than that stuff, then use the autosol.

[@billy4rocks]

Cheers Ray!.

[@clivegreenall309]

Never thought of using an alloy wheel cleaner. Thanks for the tip. Regards from S Africa Clive

[@eddie2613]

For those thinking Harpic is the real deal - word of caution. It eats everything around, if you are lazy enough to use it on your expensive exhaust make sure you wash it off with tons of water. And I mean it - as thoroughly as you can. Anything you leave is going to eat into the metal and corrode it. If you don't believe me give a good inspection around the areas you didn't rinse well. In my personal opinion - use Autosol. It won't corrode the metal even if a bit of it is left uncleaned and it will produce the best result.

[@SvenTviking]

I was recommended Brick cleaning acid by my BMW dealer, and that’s way stronger than Harpic.

[@1240enzo]

Agreed, as one of its main ingredients is hydrochloric acid and corrodes alloys, aluminium etc. I wouldn’t use that stuff on a bike.

[@jamesjones8720]

Eddie lazy enough ? Who the fk are you

[@charlesscottkelly]

Yes I burnt my kitchen worktop just from the bottom of the bottle sitting on it.

[@juncenteno8632]

I have my volume in full but could hardly hear what you are saying.... You could have used a microphone for better presentation.

[@billy4rocks]

Jun Centeno i could off... if i had one back then. I do now though!

[@ivanjulian2532]

@@billy4rocks the correct words are *could have*, not "could off". Your English is appalling. Like your ability to polish stainless steel.

[@billy4rocks]

Ivan Julian ahh you’re back! Hey i appreciate the comments. Have you done a video on how to do it correctly yet?.

[@billy4rocks]

I gotta pin this comment, i hope you dont mind... i pinned your previous one, but nobody liked it...almost as if no one cared, hopefully we will have more luck with this one. By the way, in all honesty i really do appreciate the comments, it drives traffic towards the channel and makes it bigger, so thanks. x

[@billy4rocks]

Ivan Julian you gonna delete this comment as well? 😂😂

[@quadflopper1012]

I've never seen any of those products here in the US....

[@billy4rocks]

I imagine there marketed under a different name, I thought autosol, like wd40, would be a global product.

[@262cmb]

I just did research. Looks like Walmart carries ZEP acidic toilet bowl cleaner which has the hydrochloride acid like the Harpic. I’m going to try it tomorrow. I think they also sell the auto soul but where I am it is not in the store so I might try a different brand of metal polish.

[@edwardmulder3777]

Try limeaway in the green container, some guy made a vid ,worked real well on his chrome exhaust and chrome valve cover, in just a few minutes took the rust right off, also rinse off thd limaway with aa neutralizer, he used whitewall cleaner,said dollar store sold limeaway

[@ras4782]

It's hard to hear you

[@peterwashington1230]

Try rolled up tinfoil and any cola !

[@Bansidhe]

Make sure it's diet/sugar free cola. The artificial sweetener is nasty gutrot stuff but it's usefully corrosive. I used it for a coolant flush. Full sugar cola would leave a sticky residue.

[@jamesjones8720]

It’s not bleach mate , the harpic you used is acid based👍🏻.... ah just read comments , people already said this lol,

[@billy4rocks]

Lol....yes, people love to tell me this.

[@rtoebak76]

Im sorry to say, you put wayyy to much on your pipes, stop wasting it my friend. Apart from that, awesome video😉👍. I would start with harpic and afterwards polish.

[@billy4rocks]

Cheers Robert.

[@edwardmulder3777]

Next time u could try coca cola and scrub it with crumpled up aluminium foil,look up I believe the Russianhacker

[@billy4rocks]

Is that a thing? I might give that a shot in the next vid, cheers Edward.

[@johnmatthews778]

Drdownpipe.com best stuff ive used on downpipes. Make sure you agitate with the pads provided.

[@billy4rocks]

cheers John, never heard of it, will check it out.

[@billy4rocks]

Just ordered some, will run a vid and give you a shout out on it, thanks for the comment.

[@billy4rocks]

Excellent stuff, cheers John.

[@AirsoftCityValencia]

Hi, you are a cylinder short :), nice vid

[@billy4rocks]

haha, its must of fallen of a few miles back..thanks Dragos, much appreciated.

[@Team-fabulous]

No no..... He's two cylinders too many...

[@RTD553]

Not bleach. Acid.

[@billy4rocks]

Apparently so. X

[@theintolerantleft3235]

Great video, music too loud, can't hear a word you're saying, cut through the first 5 mins and the demo was good ;)

[@billy4rocks]

West Wales Roadrunner cheers! What music bit was to loud? I dont recall putting any music over the talking. Thanks for the comment.

[@theintolerantleft3235]

The music at the start, before the talking, I turned my speakers down, then couldn't hear what you were saying, good instructional video tho' ;)

[@billy4rocks]

West Wales Roadrunner ohhh i see!! Ok thanks for letting me know, i'll turn it down in the future. Cheers.

[@yveslegrand9826]

I don't care what is the best for the exhaust cleaning, but they are all bad for skin...and provably painted surfaces.

[@johnmatthews778]

Idiots use harpic to clean motorcycle downpipes What it does it cause tarnishing on stainless and ruins the finish on your downpipes making them foul up a lot quicker and affects the chromium in the metal. Use a motorbike product, not a bog cleaner. Also you are comparing a polish to a cleaner. Do not use Harpic on your downpipes unless you want to ruin them.

[@billy4rocks]

Some people (idiots, in your book) swear by it, some avoid it like the plague, like yourself. I think the trick is do not let them get to bad in the first place. From what i have learnt and been told is that it is a desperate last resort. Appreciate the input. Don’t appreciate being referred to as an idiot, but it seems to bring out alot of passion in people, therefore it drives debate, which results in lessons learnt. Which is no bad thing at the end of the day.

[@johnmatthews778]

@@billy4rocks why would you use a product that says on the back is corrosive to metals? One think i agree with is optiglanz is too expensive and only like 250ml.

[@billy4rocks]

John Matthews because from what i have seen, including on delboys garage, it does an excellent job of making your pipes look spotless. Im sure the makers of harpic did not have exhaust pipes in mind when it mentioning avoiding use on metal. I did use a motorcycle specific product... the optiglans, it didn’t make the pipes look as good as the harpic. Its not intended as use a daily/weekly cleaner either, if you have old pipes that look utterly dreadful, use harpic, rinse thoroughly. From my experience the pipes looked great for ages and had no negative affects. The worse thing i did regarding my downpipes is not clean them for so long that i had to use harpic to get them back to looking half decent.