Engine CLEANING
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 119
Likes: 86
From: Southwest Michigan
I wash with car wash soap, dry with a leaf blower and detail with WD-40. Something bad I will use gun cleaneing oil. Brushes like a tooth brush, paint brush, gun cleaning brushes. From the picture you are pretty clean. The WD-40 will dress up the painted surfaces nicely. Do a final detail with cotton swabs and micro fiber cloths.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,142
Likes: 19,308
From: The Wasteland
I wash with car wash soap, dry with a leaf blower and detail with WD-40. Something bad I will use gun cleaneing oil. Brushes like a tooth brush, paint brush, gun cleaning brushes. From the picture you are pretty clean. The WD-40 will dress up the painted surfaces nicely. Do a final detail with cotton swabs and micro fiber cloths.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 119
Likes: 86
From: Southwest Michigan
I also thought WD-40 would attrack dust, it doesn't. Not sure why but it makes the black part of the motor look like new. I apply it a nice coat of it too. Let it set and soak in and wipe it off. Takes a litttle polishing to get the residue off the chrome parts but nothing too terrible. This something I've been doing since 1981 detailing cars when it was 16. It will smell funny until it gets fully warmed up but it is almost as good as that new car smell!
Using Shout is a new one to me. Had to ask the wife what Shout was used for. It makes sense, it is a gentle cleaner.
Using Shout is a new one to me. Had to ask the wife what Shout was used for. It makes sense, it is a gentle cleaner.
Last edited by BigFuji; Jan 13, 2026 at 01:33 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 449
Likes: 22
From: In a van, down by the river
These are the two I've been using. I definitely cut the S100 50-50 with water before spraying on. Otherwise it really takes some spraying to get it completely rinsed off. With any cleaner, rinsing is really important, otherwise it may leave a white residue when it dries.
Last edited by Max96; Jan 13, 2026 at 06:53 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 295
Likes: 23
From: Northeast
huh, this is interesting. Won't the WD-40 leave some type of residue after it burns off though? And discolor the engine perhaps permanently? Man I'd be leery to try this.
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 295
Likes: 23
From: Northeast
SIMPLE GREEN + MAGIC ERASER PADS.
Keep in mind, this was on the silver powder coat that's found on the Super Glides of the 2000's. That silver wrinkle is almost impossible to keep clean, and takes on a more of a brown especially in the case of the fins near the rocker covers. However, with some patience I got it to almost new. But, man, it took some serious patience and elbow grease. I haven't had to do it again since then, and that was like 3 years ago. Probably due for another dooshing soon. Maybe that'll be my winter project.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 492
From: Northern CA
try it. You wont go back to the other stuff
