Cleaning suggestions.
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 419
Likes: 223
From: Florida
Trash bag.......good idea!!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 3,187
Likes: 2,228
From: College Station, TX
Some of the degreasers have a very high pH (alkaline) and can damage surfaces if left on very long. How long is very long depends on the surface. I've seen aluminum left with dark splotches after using some of these cleaners if left on long enough to dry. The Super Clean purple degreaser is a cleaner that I have seen do that. I have a friend that was detailing a bike and used Super Clean on the plain aluminum (not black powder coated) cases and left it on too long resulting in dark spots. He used some silicon bead blast media to make a paste and used a small brush in circular motions to get it back to normal. It took a long time!
For things that I want to degrease but don't want to affect the surface as much as possible, I usually use varsol and a soft nylon brush for caked up oil and grease. Then spray things down with Dawn Power Wash and rinse clean. If it's really bad it may take more than one attempt.
If it is just oily, Dawn Power wash worked really well. It also works well if I drip or spill a little oil on the conrete. Spray it on and wait a few minutes and use a brush to scrub the spot(s). Then rinse with clean water. It's better if you spray the spot quickly, but it has also greaty improved left over stains from previous work.
Paul
For things that I want to degrease but don't want to affect the surface as much as possible, I usually use varsol and a soft nylon brush for caked up oil and grease. Then spray things down with Dawn Power Wash and rinse clean. If it's really bad it may take more than one attempt.
If it is just oily, Dawn Power wash worked really well. It also works well if I drip or spill a little oil on the conrete. Spray it on and wait a few minutes and use a brush to scrub the spot(s). Then rinse with clean water. It's better if you spray the spot quickly, but it has also greaty improved left over stains from previous work.
Paul
Last edited by pgreer; Aug 1, 2024 at 04:09 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 554
Likes: 359
From: Bristol, CT
Or cheap plastic drop cloth - big ones.
A big 👍 for Simple Green. Ive used it for years to break up oil based gook of all sorts on alll kinds of surfaces. Just after all the oily mess is cleaned I go over it with a bike cleaner like Bike Spirits or something (many choices) else to make the surfaces ascetically pleasing. I did the Gunk treatment on my first shovel very-very long ago it worked great but a hose is needed, no need on my current shovel as it is pretty tight.
A big 👍 for Simple Green. Ive used it for years to break up oil based gook of all sorts on alll kinds of surfaces. Just after all the oily mess is cleaned I go over it with a bike cleaner like Bike Spirits or something (many choices) else to make the surfaces ascetically pleasing. I did the Gunk treatment on my first shovel very-very long ago it worked great but a hose is needed, no need on my current shovel as it is pretty tight.
Tourer
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 396
Likes: 336
From: Coastal Carolina
I would think if using products like Simple Green, Purple power you will truly need a garden hose to finish the job. If no garden hose I would go back to brake and parts cleaner and a big bag of those red shop rags, no need to letting is sit, just spray one small section at a time and remove the grime, a tooth brush may help? As crazy as it sounds use eye protection as I forget every time I'm cleaning with brake cleaner. If you ride pass my house and you see me with my head under the water spigot flushing my eye, I forgot my glasses again...
Last edited by Soundman5000; Aug 2, 2024 at 10:17 AM.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 99
Likes: 35
From: Ca.
Just answered a post that spits phantom codes. He washed his bike. I'll say it till blue in the face, but you just don't wash a computer bike. WD40 is the cleaner.
But then again,
NOLTT (no one listens to turtle)
But then again,
NOLTT (no one listens to turtle)
Tourer
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 396
Likes: 336
From: Coastal Carolina
I have seen this posted so many times, I will always be one who washes my bike with water and soap.( perhaps most people should not but I do it with care) I take precautions such as I would never use high pressure or even medium pressure but a just enough water from a hose with no end on it to wash away the soap. I stay away from bearings and I always seal up the air cleaner and don't spray anything around the fairing electronics but for me personally I feel using low pressure water with care is no different then me riding in the rain.
I may one day learn a lesson if I get a code but i'm very careful... I have been washing a Harley lots 28 years now, never had a issue....
I may one day learn a lesson if I get a code but i'm very careful... I have been washing a Harley lots 28 years now, never had a issue....
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 3,187
Likes: 2,228
From: College Station, TX
WD40 is a solvent and lubricant. The solvent will evaporate leaving some lubricant. It will losen grease and displace water too. So lots of good uses. For smaller areas it may be great, but if having to degrease a larger area, it may get expensive.
Paul
Paul
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 25,068
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From: New York
When my bikes were rear chain driven back in the 60's, I used kerosene to clean up the chain lube splashing onto the frame/rear wheel, etc. It clean the grease right off. The kerosene never did any damage to the custom paint job.
Last edited by 470004; Aug 2, 2024 at 11:06 AM.