How to clean up TR exhaust headers

As my engine gets it's complete make over, other parts that were once okay are now detracting from the overall asthetics. The exhause headers in particular are pretty cruddy looking. I used some spray on mag cleaner and that did take lots of the grunge off, but it stinks like crazy and I'm worried about affecting other things close by. I guess I could use some polish and wear my fingers to the bone....but they haven't grown back yet from my fuel system project! What have some of you guys used to clean up the headers?

Hi Jeff,

wow you are really going at that thing. I think you and Henry will have the nicest, most serviced TR's in the country, maybe the world!

To be honest I have never found "an easy way" to clean used car parts short of an industrial steam washing machine. You lay the parts in turn on the timer and high pressured steam and cleaners do all the work. The next best is the local quarter car wash high pressured steam cleaners, then would be soaking in solvents and/or cleaners and pressure washing. I personally try to avoid the caustic cleaners when possible because they need to be thourouhly nuetralized after use as they can continue to eat at the base metals. After the preceeding we're left with the use of strong solvents of any type one feels they can use safely and wire brushes and steel wool. In a shop one generally has the use of a glass bead machine also when appropriate. Needless to say while not requiring a lot of skill, cleaning dirty car parts to achieve nice results does require a lot of time and work.

Looking forward to seeing pics of the final results.

Regards, JRV