cleaning bikes
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 313
Likes: 1
cleaning bikes
Who here thoroughly washes their bikes that is with water hose and a bucket of soapy water? I saw someone posted they just wipe their bikes down including the forks/gas tank and fenders. And not wash their bikes because its hard to get in the hard spots to dry out.
I am thinking just wiping down the bike as opposed to washing my bike. I have the '12 SB in black denim.
I know someone says to wipe black denim tank with windex or ammonia.
I am thinking just wiping down the bike as opposed to washing my bike. I have the '12 SB in black denim.
I know someone says to wipe black denim tank with windex or ammonia.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 689
Likes: 2
From: East Coast
old traditional wash...water hose, bucket of soapy water...wash top to bottom...hose off, manual dry with chamois...blow dry with shopvac if i feel like it for the hard to reach areas...when all dry, polish chrome, if i feel like it...sit and admire...drink more beer...i'm doing mine tomorrow...
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 689
Likes: 2
From: East Coast
when i had bikes with spoke wheels, used that wire brush spoke wheel cleaner...used that soapy water...wheni had the denim black bike, i never used ammonia or windex...same soapy water...i never really changed my vehicle washing habits...i just like a thorough clean job...
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
From: Northwest PA
I do a soap & water wash followed by the leafblower and some wax on the paint and chrome about 4 or 5 times a season. Other than that it is Meguiers quick detail spray and a microfiber.
The aluminum wheels are a total pita to clean - not because of the aluminum but just because it is so hard to get my hand around the dual front brakes and everything else in the rear. I usually do them as their own little project on a bad weather day. Just got done with them!
The aluminum wheels are a total pita to clean - not because of the aluminum but just because it is so hard to get my hand around the dual front brakes and everything else in the rear. I usually do them as their own little project on a bad weather day. Just got done with them!
I used to do soap and water, but just started using S100 Total Cycle cleaner since I like their engine brightener so much. Spray the whole bike down with it, hose it off, amazing results. Then go over with soapy sponge to get tough bugs, etc.
Ideally i would have a spot free rinse and let it drip dry when done, but right now i use the blower
Ideally i would have a spot free rinse and let it drip dry when done, but right now i use the blower
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
I was mine with soap and water top to bottom. then i rinse and remove the saddle bags and dry manually. then use a blow dryer type device to hit the hard spots. then polish the whole thing.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 517
Likes: 3
From: Cleveland
I wash mine about twice a season with s100, rinse thoroughly and dry with microfiber, then use a leaf blower. Otherwise wipe down with "stripper juice" about every other week.
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Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 550
Likes: 8
From: Syracuse, NY
spray the bike down with pigsnot or simple green, hose off with garden hose (full pressure), suck up water with The Absorber cloth, dry off remaining water with a microfiber, touch up with pledge all purpose cleaner. About once-maybe twice a season i'll wax the tins.
Road Master
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,140
Likes: 6
From: Arkansas
Don't ever "clean" dry paint. You will wind up with lots of scratches. If your bike needs a good cleaning. Then brake out the soap and water. If you are worried about the water, just don't spray in an upward direction under the tank or seat. I usually spray horizontally accross the top of the heads to rinse the soap. But that is as far as I go.
Last edited by FXDWG12; Jun 2, 2012 at 10:01 AM.