I've scored a used set of AS&M single-cat conversion headers and am looking to clean them up before installation.

From what I've read, it seems that Scotchbrite pads and Simple Green are the two reccomended ways to clean the outside from residue/stains.

What about the inside?
Obviously the Y-pipe will be a case of "as far as you can reach in" since I don't wanta ruin the cat with chemicals or by accidentally poking it.

Has anyone used something besides soap & water to clean out any carbon inside their headers? I know it sounds stupid, but I figure that since they're off anyway...

My plan so far is:
- rinse with a hose
- soap & water soaking
- rinse
- Scotchbright & Simple Green (outside and as far inside as I can reach)
- rinse

- Soak in Simple Green?
- Use my pressure-washer to "blast out" some carbon?

How durable is ceramic coating?

 

The coating is very durable. I got a used set of these headers and used a sand-blaster and a wire wheel to clean the outside. Basically, the coating stayed anywhere surface rust hadn't already compromised it. I was getting mine recoated, so I was looking to take it off, but it wouldn't come off in most places, so the new coating went on when I got them as clean as I could. I wouldn't worry too much about the inside. They'll be back the way they were after you've run the car for a while.

 

cool. sounds like soap & water followed by Simple Greena dn scotchbrite pads will do.

I'll be picking up some of these trick header bolts to make things easy on myself: www.go-breslin.com (Split Lock)

 

i bought a set of ASM's too, i used autosol to clean them, its a metal polish, worked pretty good...