washing the Bike question
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 644
Likes: 0
From: NE. Pennsylvania
For denium black, I have been using a product called, Bike Bright...which just really gets all the crap off the bike and works awsome!!!
Spray the bike with bike bright.....
Wash off the bike with hose, just water......
Leaf blower at High speed, low speed, gets all the excess water off, drys and leaves no water film.
Lucas slick mist onto a cloth, and rub into a awsome finish.....Lucas slick mist can be used when surface is wet or dry..... Works really, really well.
Spray the bike with bike bright.....
Wash off the bike with hose, just water......
Leaf blower at High speed, low speed, gets all the excess water off, drys and leaves no water film.
Lucas slick mist onto a cloth, and rub into a awsome finish.....Lucas slick mist can be used when surface is wet or dry..... Works really, really well.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 17,265
Likes: 21
From: Los Angeles, CA
I don't have a denim bike, but I would wash it the same way I wash the bike I have now.
Wet down a cool bike. Spray with selected cleaner in a spray bottle (d'uh). I usually use Shout! laundry stain remover as it does a great job and costs $2. I do one portion of the bike at a time. Font wheel, let it soak for a minute or two and hit the spokes with a paint brush to spread it around. Rinse thoroughly. I do the same for the rest of each area of the bike. Then I grab a bucket and put some soap in it (whatever car wash crap or bikewash soap I ahve on hand) I don't really think it matters that much which you use, especially on a Denim bike. I get a wash mit and wash the whole bike section by section again rinsing each area thoroughly. Blow dry or ride up and down the street a few times, then get out the chamois. Dry it and then use pledge, purple slice, or whatever else you desire. If I had denim I would just windex it.
Wet down a cool bike. Spray with selected cleaner in a spray bottle (d'uh). I usually use Shout! laundry stain remover as it does a great job and costs $2. I do one portion of the bike at a time. Font wheel, let it soak for a minute or two and hit the spokes with a paint brush to spread it around. Rinse thoroughly. I do the same for the rest of each area of the bike. Then I grab a bucket and put some soap in it (whatever car wash crap or bikewash soap I ahve on hand) I don't really think it matters that much which you use, especially on a Denim bike. I get a wash mit and wash the whole bike section by section again rinsing each area thoroughly. Blow dry or ride up and down the street a few times, then get out the chamois. Dry it and then use pledge, purple slice, or whatever else you desire. If I had denim I would just windex it.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Escondido, CA
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May our Moderator Rest in Peace
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,386
Likes: 35
From: Rochester, NY
I tried a bunch of different things some expensive some not.
But what seems to work as well as anything else is Simple Green.
Best part is that you can buy it in places like Sam's in a large bottle fairly cheap. Cuts through the road grime nicely.
If you guys are using a leaf blower I suggest making some kind of a filter for the intake side. Those damn things will chuck fairly hefty chunks of anything they can suck up at a fairly high velocity. So even fine dirt particles can turn one into an unintended sand blaster of sorts.
But what seems to work as well as anything else is Simple Green.
Best part is that you can buy it in places like Sam's in a large bottle fairly cheap. Cuts through the road grime nicely.
If you guys are using a leaf blower I suggest making some kind of a filter for the intake side. Those damn things will chuck fairly hefty chunks of anything they can suck up at a fairly high velocity. So even fine dirt particles can turn one into an unintended sand blaster of sorts.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Denim owners: Do not use normal methods or cleaning chemicals. There are specific instructions in your owner's manual on how to clean denim.
Others:
Cleaning:
1.) Spray bike down with plain hose water (not on hot engine).
2.) Spray bike with S100 cleaner or Simple Green (recommended).
3.) Wash off with moderately strong water pressure, except electronics.
4.) Blow dry with absolutely clean leaf blower.
Polishing:
1.) Use a micro fiber cloth (Costco in bulk) to wipe on Protectall.
All surfaces o.k.
2.) Wipe off Protectall from all surfaces with a fresh (clean) microfiber.
3.) Do not use a previously used microfiber cloth on painted surfaces or
windshield unless it has been washed in warm water with other cloths
only. (Dry in dryer but do not use dryer sheets or fabric softener).
I've used many methods. This is the easiest (only 2 products) and the fastest. It takes me 25-30 minutes to do a complete detail. It takes 5-10 minutes to do a touch up cleaning/polishing.
I don't know about you, but I'd rather ride my bike than to spend hours cleaning it!
Others:
Cleaning:
1.) Spray bike down with plain hose water (not on hot engine).
2.) Spray bike with S100 cleaner or Simple Green (recommended).
3.) Wash off with moderately strong water pressure, except electronics.
4.) Blow dry with absolutely clean leaf blower.
Polishing:
1.) Use a micro fiber cloth (Costco in bulk) to wipe on Protectall.
All surfaces o.k.
2.) Wipe off Protectall from all surfaces with a fresh (clean) microfiber.
3.) Do not use a previously used microfiber cloth on painted surfaces or
windshield unless it has been washed in warm water with other cloths
only. (Dry in dryer but do not use dryer sheets or fabric softener).
I've used many methods. This is the easiest (only 2 products) and the fastest. It takes me 25-30 minutes to do a complete detail. It takes 5-10 minutes to do a touch up cleaning/polishing.
I don't know about you, but I'd rather ride my bike than to spend hours cleaning it!