Proper Washing and Drying
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Proper Washing and Drying - 8/1/2005 10:25:04 AM
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Autogeek
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Proper Washing & Drying
Most of the swirl marks that occur on your vehicle are likely caused by regular washing and drying. Though weekly washes and towel-drying are the best care you can give your vehicle, improper techniques will cause unsightly swirls and scratches in the paint that will require compounding or polishing at the very least. You can prevent these problems and save yourself a lot of extra work by following a few simple tips when washing and drying your vehicle.
Why wash weekly?
Weekly washing is optimal because some contaminants can do serious damage to the paint if they are not removed quickly. One such contaminant is bug splatter. Their bodies contain organic acids that break down the carcass, but they also eat into the clear coat if not removed promptly. Weak spots in the clear coat make your vehicle susceptible to corrosion.
Another problem contaminant is brake dust. It contains metal shavings from the rotors and an adhesive used in the production of brake pads. This makes brake dust highly corrosive and very sticky. Washing your vehicle weekly will remove these contaminants before they have the opportunity to do permanent damage.
Wash Tools
It’s very important to choose tools that are gentle on the paint, yet effective at removing contamination. As a rule of thumb, sponges and mitts that are plush or have a deep nap are better than flat weave towels or dense sponges. For example, a Natural Sea Sponge has numerous deep compartments where dirt and debris can accumulate. The natural fibers themselves will not scratch the paint and they will essentially pull contamination into the sponge’s openings, away from the paint. Always use the softer side of the sponge for washing. Rinse new sea sponges thoroughly before use to remove any shell fragments or sand.
Another option is a Sheepskin Wash Mitt. Sheepskin is extremely soft and plush. The fibers are gentle on the paint while the nap is deep enough to accommodate loose dirt and sand so they do not rub against the vehicle. Because sheepskin is natural, it does not last as long as a synthetic microfiber mitt. However, for luxurious softness, you can’t beat the texture of sheepskin.
Microfiber mitts are another paint-safe option. Microfiber’s combination of polyester and polyamide make it capable of scrubbing the paint without scratching or swirling. It traps dirt and grit within the fibers rather than leaving them on the surface of your vehicle. Be sure to rinse the mitt frequently to release these particles.
Cotton chenille pads and mitts are also good choices because they clean easily and they last longer than sheepskin or natural sea sponges.
Washing
1. Wash the wheels and tires first. If you splash wheel cleaners or dirt onto your vehicle, you can simply wash it off as you wash. Use a cleaner that is safe for all wheels, like Wolfgang Tire & Wheel Cleaner. It is water-based and has no corrosive chemicals, which is safer for coated wheels and rubber. Agitate with an OXO or New England Wheel Brush to clean wheels without scratching. Wash each wheel and tire one at a time and rinse thoroughly before moving on to the next one.
2. Now you’re ready to wash. It’s important to use a car wash that is rich in lubricants. The purpose of the car wash is to remove contaminants and lubricate them so they do not scratch the paint as they slide off the vehicle. Dish detergents
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RE: Proper Washing and Drying - 5/31/2006 9:35:18 AM
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mudpuddle
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From: the 50s & the 60s
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How bout an article specific to scooters??
mud
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RE: Proper Washing and Drying - 6/29/2006 9:50:02 PM
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wildman67
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From: Maryland
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I agree with kevin! I went and bought a electric leaf blower from home depot. It cost me like 30 buck's and it work's great!
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RE: Proper Washing and Drying - 7/19/2006 12:59:17 AM
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Desighitter
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Joined: 7/16/2006
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Yea, if you're lucky enough to have an air compressor, it does the job.
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RE: Proper Washing and Drying - 7/31/2006 3:59:50 PM
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PSO169
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I have had the same luck with the leaf blower, especially with the engine, it makes drying the engine better with less drip marks. I always wash mine in the shade as well.
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RE: Proper Washing and Drying - 8/1/2006 11:57:26 PM
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HDRIDER242
Posts: 38
Joined: 8/11/2005
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I just bought a "air force blaster" blower/dryer kit to dry off my bikes. It was much more than a leaf blower but much easier to use and blows warm filtered air, it does a really nice job.
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RE: Proper Washing and Drying - 8/2/2006 10:33:20 AM
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3Dog
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DITTO
Its the difference between making a bulky piece of equipment do a job or a machine that was made to do the job. I experimented with other the other forms of drying...leaf blowers, vac blowers etc. When I went to the Black Baron I immediately knew that a lot of time had be wasted experimenting.
quote:
ORIGINAL: HDRIDER242
I just bought a "air force blaster" blower/dryer kit to dry off my bikes. It was much more than a leaf blower but much easier to use and blows warm filtered air, it does a really nice job.
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RE: Proper Washing and Drying - 8/2/2006 10:45:11 AM
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tda69
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I use a Vac blower. My 6.5 hp Rigid has a detachable motor for use as a leaf blower, or whatever suits you. In this case it makes a handy HD dryer. Works especially well on black paint and those spots in the engine where water gets trapped. On an Ultra there are many places for the water to hide and the Vac blower does a great job of drying things up. The best part though is the ride afterwards.
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RE: Proper Washing and Drying - 8/15/2006 5:42:13 PM
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smithr
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I use a handheld Oreck vac (using it backasswards). I got it along with their upright. It blows warm air since the little electric motor is working it's butt off. It dries the bike just fine. I'm an old auto tech, you should watch using compressed air. If the air is not filtered in any way, small metal particles from the air tank will be shot out and into your paint or chrome. That's why we never used air to blow dirt off our clothes in the shop (I've seen it done). You'll end up with shrapnel in your hide. Ride safe. Jr.
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RE: Proper Washing and Drying - 9/5/2006 7:10:05 PM
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buffdaddy
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Open Beer, squirt water on bike, wash, rinse, open second beer, ride bike in circles until dry-or you fall over.
Just kidding...but I like to talk about beer also.
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RE: Proper Washing and Drying - 10/18/2006 10:21:46 AM
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Daddy O
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I liked the article, there are some good points. I prefer to use "Rain-X" soap, the extra water from rinsing just rolls off and to dry it off my electric leaf blower, the blower drys the engine and tight places. Oh I still need to towel it some around the guages.
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RE: Proper Washing and Drying - 12/3/2006 10:22:28 AM
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Sandhog
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The Black Baron is around $200,
I bought the Sears 16 gallon wet/dry vac for $110 on sale,and after Im done blasting the water off the bikes with 265 mph air,I can vacum the cars and garage. I can dry both Hogs in 10 minutes.
I mean if ya wanna just spend money its OK but the shop vac has more uses and costs 1/2 the price.
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RE: Proper Washing and Drying - 12/3/2006 10:41:07 AM
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3Dog
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Heres the deal with wet/dry vacs......filters become dusty and dirty...you blow that back on your bike.......hoses have dirt, dust and whatever stuck on the inside of them..that gets blown back.
Whatever is used to blow across the paint and chrome of a bike should be dedicated for that purpose. No matter if it a 200.00 filtered and heated air blower to a ten dollar shop vac.
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05 Road King Classic
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RE: Proper Washing and Drying - 12/3/2006 11:26:38 AM
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SamStone
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From: New Carlisle, Ohio
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The last couple times I have used a bug sprayer with water and vinegar solution. I spray after the final rinse, and then use the leaf blower. No spotting at all and an awesome shine.
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RE: Proper Washing and Drying - 12/3/2006 12:07:15 PM
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metal_mike
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quote:
ORIGINAL: SamStone
The last couple times I have used a bug sprayer with water and vinegar solution. I spray after the final rinse, and then use the leaf blower. No spotting at all and an awesome shine.
thats known as the "massengill treatment"....ever have one of those days when your bike just doesnt feel "fresh?" lol
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RE: Proper Washing and Drying - 3/18/2007 12:53:10 PM
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chester1957
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Joined: 10/20/2006
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Just tried the MR Clean autodry. Bike cleaning made easy. Found the tip on HDF. After 30 yrs, the thought of cleaning a bike doesn't make me shudder. Might wash it once a week now rather than " I'd rather ride than clean"
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RE: Proper Washing and Drying - 3/25/2007 9:50:28 AM
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gregorysfd
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Not sure what kind your using but my blower has no hoses, it is separate from my vac, shop vac and blower are two different pieces of equipment. The blower is a hand held piece of equipment and works great blowing 265 mph water does have a chance staying any where on my Ultra works great and $119.00 at Sears.
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RE: Proper Washing and Drying - 4/5/2007 2:33:56 PM
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GAWSHoG
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glad i found this thread. i posted in another forum about washing your bike. Thanks guys fer the tips. i'll get some mr. clean, next time i'm a wally world..
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RE: Proper Washing and Drying - 4/11/2007 11:55:17 AM
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jimsreddyna
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Have any of you that used the Mister Clean system used it on a bike with the black wrinkle engine cases?
Are ther any special things to do or not do with those black cases?
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RE: Proper Washing and Drying - 8/21/2007 8:58:27 PM
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hooked
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Just watch oil and water that can accumulate in conpressor tank and is then shot onto the bike at high pressure.
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RE: Proper Washing and Drying - 11/16/2007 3:04:51 PM
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1Coastie
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For washing, S100 total bike cleaner, then a good medium pressure solid stream of water to rinse. (Dont let the cleaner dry on the bike or a white residue wii result.)
Dont get ant wax on them, and scrubbing is useually not a good idea either (but if you have too a small soft toothbrush works well.) After they are dry Pig Spit is your best friend, S100 is second best, just spray on wipe off the chrome and walk away.
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RE: Proper Washing and Drying - 1/13/2008 4:15:43 PM
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Geoff
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quote:
ORIGINAL: buffdaddy
Open Beer, squirt water on bike, wash, rinse, open second beer, ride bike in circles until dry-or you fall over.
Just kidding...but I like to talk about beer also.
LOL!
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RE: Proper Washing and Drying - 4/7/2008 2:01:28 AM
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Roadjunkie1
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Joined: 2/18/2008
From: Chicago
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quote:
ORIGINAL: GAWSHoG
glad i found this thread. i posted in another forum about washing your bike. Thanks guys fer the tips. i'll get some mr. clean, next time i'm a wally world..
I can't answer your question as I have my wife wash my bike. It's a biker thing, now go ask her to wash yours!
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