View Poll Results: How do you clean/detail your HOG?
Wash my bike? I like it grungy!
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I have been using the same processes for my Vette. I'm not happy with the results.
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Northern California
I have been using the same processes for my Vette. I'm not happy with the results.
I am looking for advice on cleaning and detailing my bike. The products and processes I have used to win car shows with my Cobra and Vette do not seem to do the job. A budy of mine said he never washes his bike with water! Any help is appreciated. 
Club Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 3
From: Idaho Falls
Hand wash with hot water and car shampoo, followed by hand dry with microfiber towels (lots of them), then detailed with a spray wax. I use Wizards Products exclusively. Whole job takes about an hour.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
From: Whiting, NJ
Tools for regular wash:
-leaf blower
-bucket, lambswool mitt, soft brushes for metals, wheel brush, microfiber towels
-S100 bike cleaner, car wash soap, Finish Kare all purpose cleaner, Finish Kare 425 quick detail spray
I start with a cool bike. I begin with the wheels using the all purpose cleaner (APC) and a brush. Rinse. Move on to spray engine with either S100 or APC. I wet the rest of the bike and wash the paint with the soap and mitt. I move to engine and exhaust and other grungier metal parts using a brush. Rinse the whole bike, use the leaf blower. I use the Finish Kare qd to add gloss as I dry off the remaining water droplets with the microfiber towel. Done in 15 minutes.
I will start the season with a wash, polish and wax using Klasse All In One and Klasse Sealant Glaze (3-5 coats). The rest of the time is just gloss maintenance.
-leaf blower
-bucket, lambswool mitt, soft brushes for metals, wheel brush, microfiber towels
-S100 bike cleaner, car wash soap, Finish Kare all purpose cleaner, Finish Kare 425 quick detail spray
I start with a cool bike. I begin with the wheels using the all purpose cleaner (APC) and a brush. Rinse. Move on to spray engine with either S100 or APC. I wet the rest of the bike and wash the paint with the soap and mitt. I move to engine and exhaust and other grungier metal parts using a brush. Rinse the whole bike, use the leaf blower. I use the Finish Kare qd to add gloss as I dry off the remaining water droplets with the microfiber towel. Done in 15 minutes.
I will start the season with a wash, polish and wax using Klasse All In One and Klasse Sealant Glaze (3-5 coats). The rest of the time is just gloss maintenance.
I have found that:
1) Simple green in a spray bottle on the wheels, motor and such works great. Spray, leave on for a minute, and rinse with water.
2) Pledge multi surface spray works great for chrome.
And as stated above LOTS of micro fiber towels.
1) Simple green in a spray bottle on the wheels, motor and such works great. Spray, leave on for a minute, and rinse with water.
2) Pledge multi surface spray works great for chrome.
And as stated above LOTS of micro fiber towels.
Club Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,633
Likes: 54
From: GA
Wheels - Pinnacle wheel cleaner, P21S or S100 products
Painted parts - Pinnacle soap
Inner fairing - Eimann Fabrik Crystall Clear Pearl II
Engine and hard to reach places besides wheels - S100
Wax products - Meguiars M105 & M205 if I need to get abrassive, I have Wolfgang Sealer, Pinnacle Signature Series II carnuba, Pinnacle paintwork cleansing lotion, Pinnacle liquid souveran spray and Pinnacle crystal mist and there are probably a couple other waxes in there.
Chrome - bikes new so I don't have any cleaner there yet but I'll end up with something...maybe some Wenol in the blue tube.
Painted parts - Pinnacle soap
Inner fairing - Eimann Fabrik Crystall Clear Pearl II
Engine and hard to reach places besides wheels - S100
Wax products - Meguiars M105 & M205 if I need to get abrassive, I have Wolfgang Sealer, Pinnacle Signature Series II carnuba, Pinnacle paintwork cleansing lotion, Pinnacle liquid souveran spray and Pinnacle crystal mist and there are probably a couple other waxes in there.
Chrome - bikes new so I don't have any cleaner there yet but I'll end up with something...maybe some Wenol in the blue tube.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 29,598
Likes: 19
From: Oregon
How I wash depends on how dirty it is. I've been known to use my pressure washer with the softest tip (like a coin op car wash) and the soap pickup tube with a good car wash product.
Westley's Bleche Wite on tires with a brass brush.
I also like the Mr. Clean system if the bike isn't too dirty. The rinse filter will keep it from spotting.
Always a leaf blower to get all water out of cracks and to dry it.
A good wipe down with Pledge (not lemon pledge - it's acidic.) I found regular Pledge at Wal Mart.
$.02
Westley's Bleche Wite on tires with a brass brush.
I also like the Mr. Clean system if the bike isn't too dirty. The rinse filter will keep it from spotting.
Always a leaf blower to get all water out of cracks and to dry it.
A good wipe down with Pledge (not lemon pledge - it's acidic.) I found regular Pledge at Wal Mart.
$.02
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I use Adam's products exclusively on my bike and vette. The nice thing about the Adam's stuff is that it comes in large refill jugs, so you are not contantly paying for those little 16oz pump bottles all the time. They have videos on their site for how to get professional results. I also like them because they are a local business and because Adam is a good guy and fellow enthusiast.
http://www.adamspolishes.com/
BTW, I have discovered that their "Undercarriage Spray" works great on the black H-D motors, holds up to the heat, and does not attract dirt and dust like silicon-based products. Unlike S-100 (which is also good), it does not dry glossy if you accidentally apply it too heavy in one spot (like is apt to happen when you spray it into an area you can't reach).
http://www.adamspolishes.com/
BTW, I have discovered that their "Undercarriage Spray" works great on the black H-D motors, holds up to the heat, and does not attract dirt and dust like silicon-based products. Unlike S-100 (which is also good), it does not dry glossy if you accidentally apply it too heavy in one spot (like is apt to happen when you spray it into an area you can't reach).
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"do not seem to do the job" What problem(s) are you trying to address?
What products and processes are you currently using on your cars and bike?
I may have a few suggestions for the 4 P's (Paint, Pads, Products & Process)
What type of paint finish and color is on your bike?
Is it the dreaded HD "Vivid Black"?
I little feedback would be helpful for trying to head you in the right direction.
lemon pledge & a bunch of microfiber towels.
If he used Pledge on his cars they would laugh him off the concours.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Northern California
I have been using Griots Garage products, pads, and processes almost exclusively!
There have been quite a few good suggestions already made.
"do not seem to do the job" What problem(s) are you trying to address?
What products and processes are you currently using on your cars and bike?
I may have a few suggestions for the 4 P's (Paint, Pads, Products & Process)
What type of paint finish and color is on your bike?
Is it the dreaded HD "Vivid Black"?
I little feedback would be helpful for trying to head you in the right direction.
Oh no, not this Pledge thing again. Pledge is NOT a detailing product!
If he used Pledge on his cars they would laugh him off the concours.
"do not seem to do the job" What problem(s) are you trying to address?
What products and processes are you currently using on your cars and bike?
I may have a few suggestions for the 4 P's (Paint, Pads, Products & Process)
What type of paint finish and color is on your bike?
Is it the dreaded HD "Vivid Black"?
I little feedback would be helpful for trying to head you in the right direction.
Oh no, not this Pledge thing again. Pledge is NOT a detailing product!
If he used Pledge on his cars they would laugh him off the concours.
