cleaning
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Novice
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Nova
cleaning
Greetings everyone, im a noob to all this an i love my first Hd sportster xl1200c... Just wondering if anyone knows where and what type of cleaning supplies i should get to keep my bike nice and clean, engine, exaust pipes, seats etc. Also if you can direct me to a website where i can get these items. Thanks so much in advance.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 12,986
Likes: 712
From: NE Philly
You can go to your local Pep Boys or AutoZone. I use car wash soap to wash. I use a leaf blower to dry the bike. I use clay bars after I wash to remove sap and debris that washing usually won't get. I use a good wax and polish. I use aluminum polish for the aluminum. I also use Orange (or Lemon) Pledge (yes furniture Pledge) for all surfaces between washes and for use on seats, chrome and windshield. I use a lot of microfiber towels. I probably use about 5-8 towels per wash, clay, wax.
With a little love and patience cleaning your bike is easy. Therapeutic at times too.
With a little love and patience cleaning your bike is easy. Therapeutic at times too.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 568
Likes: 1
From: New Jersey Somerset
I clean it with alcohol (dries very quickly haha) and then wax/polish everything. But more importantly I lubricate the **** out of my bike, every part that moves 
Including my eyes with dry eye lubricant
Including my eyes with dry eye lubricant
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,212
Likes: 212
Lemon pledge is popular. I use Dawn dish soap in some warm water and a microfiber cloth once a year when I prep for claying/waxing. I also use a chrome/metal polish-protector called MAAS on all the chrome and steel parts.
No rust, the rain still beads, and she has seen everything from snow to sand storms. The rest of the time it gets washed in the rain or wiped down now and then.
Whatever you do, it doesn't matter so much just as long as you DO NOT power wash it. That's asking for trouble.
No rust, the rain still beads, and she has seen everything from snow to sand storms. The rest of the time it gets washed in the rain or wiped down now and then.
Whatever you do, it doesn't matter so much just as long as you DO NOT power wash it. That's asking for trouble.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 235
Likes: 7
From: San Diego
I power washed my douche, errr I mean my duece. LOL I garage my bikes and mostly just do touch up. The duece was wasted to I power washed, hosed the motor down with WD and did all the paint and chrome with rubbing compound and then wax on the tins and metal polish on the chrome and metal. But I agree, doesnt matter all that much, the paint on HD's is great and will take some abuse. For that matter, all the surfgaces, chrome and frame have solid finishes. And I agree, detailing is great, and definetely fun to tool around on the finished product.
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Joined: Jul 2012
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From: New Jersey
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 280
Likes: 0
From: Martinez, California
I use only Mcguiers products. After winning three car shows I figured out what works best for me. Always wax if you clay bar, never let water bead and dry on your paint...it can be a bitch to remove. Weekly washes are simple: Wash in sections (light on soap) get all nooks and crannies, dry as you go. NEVER use a dry chamois on your paint surface. Use microfiber cloths to wash. If you drop one, or if you are using clay and you drop it. throw it away. Cloth is cheap. Dry and dress.
Go RIDE!
Go RIDE!