Cleaning bike and Bike cleaners
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 82
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RE: Cleaning bike and Bike cleaners
I guess I dont get why you would use Windex on painted surfaces, It strips any wax you have used right off! Any protection the paint may have had is now gone once you hit it with windex or regular old dish soap. I take a lot of time to wax and protect the paint I would never use windex to clean it off.
I wash, put a good wax on and then use a Spray detailer between wash and waxes. Seems to stay very clean and the spray detailer can be used on paint and chrome and windsheild with great results. Very similar to using Pledge except it doesnt contain the petroleum that Pledge does.
I wash, put a good wax on and then use a Spray detailer between wash and waxes. Seems to stay very clean and the spray detailer can be used on paint and chrome and windsheild with great results. Very similar to using Pledge except it doesnt contain the petroleum that Pledge does.
Madame Moderator
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 25,140
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From: The Peach State
RE: Cleaning bike and Bike cleaners
I haven't noticed the Windex removing any wax, but when I do a thorough cleaning, I wax as the last step anyway. Paint seems fine. I'm sure we all have our different way of going about this.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 17,265
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From: Los Angeles, CA
RE: Cleaning bike and Bike cleaners
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,424
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From: Hoboken, New Jersey
RE: Cleaning bike and Bike cleaners
Using Windex or any glass cleaner on the chrome for light clean up is fine as long as you use some sort of protectent on the chrome after.
For the painted surfaces using glass cleaner (windex) is not good at all. First off it will strip off any wax that may have been on the tins.....and worst of all it will leave the paint totally unprotected, and give the dirt and road grime, dust what ever, a perfect surface to adhere to making it MUCH harder to clean the next time, and chances are because the paint is unprotected the dirt will get embedded into the clear coat and leave swirl marks.......all of this will leave you with a progressively duller and duller paint job.
If you want to do your painted surfaces correctly, what you need to do is first wash them with a soap that is formulated to work with car waxes (dish washing detergent is the worst.....it is designed to remove grease, and oil.....exactly what the wax uses to protect the surface.....it is very good if you want to strip the old wax to put a new coat though). Then if there are any imperfections in the paint you have to address them with a polish, clay bar, swirl remover/reducer, hand glaze, or for the extreme rubbing compound. Then after the paint is clean and smooth you can wax it with a high quality wax of your choice. What you can do to see just how much dirt and imperfections there are in your paint, take a piece of common kitchen plastic wrap, and put it over your index finger like a condom, and rub your finger over your paint.....you will feel all the little bumps and grooves and what not......after a good three step you can remove about 90% of that even if your a beginner.
for you guys with bikes less than a year old......be very careful because your paint will still be soft in comparison to a bike that is a few years old, and you can do some serious damage if you mess up.
All you need to do is a bit of research on the net......there is a boat load of quality info for everyone from the total novice to pro detailer. All in all its VERY easy to keep the paint job looking very good for many many years
For the painted surfaces using glass cleaner (windex) is not good at all. First off it will strip off any wax that may have been on the tins.....and worst of all it will leave the paint totally unprotected, and give the dirt and road grime, dust what ever, a perfect surface to adhere to making it MUCH harder to clean the next time, and chances are because the paint is unprotected the dirt will get embedded into the clear coat and leave swirl marks.......all of this will leave you with a progressively duller and duller paint job.
If you want to do your painted surfaces correctly, what you need to do is first wash them with a soap that is formulated to work with car waxes (dish washing detergent is the worst.....it is designed to remove grease, and oil.....exactly what the wax uses to protect the surface.....it is very good if you want to strip the old wax to put a new coat though). Then if there are any imperfections in the paint you have to address them with a polish, clay bar, swirl remover/reducer, hand glaze, or for the extreme rubbing compound. Then after the paint is clean and smooth you can wax it with a high quality wax of your choice. What you can do to see just how much dirt and imperfections there are in your paint, take a piece of common kitchen plastic wrap, and put it over your index finger like a condom, and rub your finger over your paint.....you will feel all the little bumps and grooves and what not......after a good three step you can remove about 90% of that even if your a beginner.
for you guys with bikes less than a year old......be very careful because your paint will still be soft in comparison to a bike that is a few years old, and you can do some serious damage if you mess up.
All you need to do is a bit of research on the net......there is a boat load of quality info for everyone from the total novice to pro detailer. All in all its VERY easy to keep the paint job looking very good for many many years
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: clearwater, fl
RE: Cleaning bike and Bike cleaners
ORIGINAL: GAGirl
Windex does work really well to clean off greasy road grime and sparkle up both the chrome and the paint. I use a plexiglass cleaner on the windshield. Need to get a bottle brush for cleaning the spokes. I use olive oil on my seat and leather bags to keep them soft and supple and to prevent drying and cracking.
Windex does work really well to clean off greasy road grime and sparkle up both the chrome and the paint. I use a plexiglass cleaner on the windshield. Need to get a bottle brush for cleaning the spokes. I use olive oil on my seat and leather bags to keep them soft and supple and to prevent drying and cracking.
i use lemon pledge on everything. it really leaves a shine, just make sure you really wipe it good. if not it will leave a waxy streak. kinda like an oil slick. but its ook just give it a good licking sorry i meant wiping.
i was thinking if karens "soft and supple" comment
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,262
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From: Logan, Ohio
RE: Cleaning bike and Bike cleaners
DO NOT!!!I repeat,DO NOT!!!Use chrome polish on your windshield.I made that mistake(totally by accident knowing that chrome polish is abrasive) and looked as though I had used sand paper to clean the glass with.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2007
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From:
RE: Cleaning bike and Bike cleaners
I use Mother's carnuba wax on most everything...of course, after washing with gel concentrated wash, hand wash.. wax and wipe off with soft cotton cloth..if fact, I use baby recieving blankets!! No swirls and it brings out the deep color...wheel cleaner, etc...
ride on, ride a lot.
[IMG]local://upfiles/38813/7CD404F3FC184858BD88263628F4E681.jpg[/IMG]
ride on, ride a lot.
[IMG]local://upfiles/38813/7CD404F3FC184858BD88263628F4E681.jpg[/IMG]