Looking For Washing Tips
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 353
Likes: 100
From: Wisconsin/Florida
Looking For Washing Tips
Ive had my bike since last September and I have yet to wash it. Im a fair weather rider, I do clean the bugs off after every ride and I keep it covered in my garage so it does look nice. But Im thinking its time for its first bath. Is there anything I need to be concerned about? Are there any tools or devices that make for a better wash job? Any hard to clean areas? I appreciate any tips you have to offer.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 25,310
Likes: 2,446
From: Eastern NE
Bike wash & water, soft cloths, microfiber towels pretty much sum up my cleaning essentials. The only other splurge, as I have 2 bikes & 4 cars, is my Air Sammy (air dryer) which speeds up dry time and gets water out of cracks. My wife got me one for Xmas a few years back and I love it. Otherwise it's the time with the bikes.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,337
Likes: 9
From: Phoenix, AZ
I use to spend hours washing mine but then a buddy turned me on to a simple way, Simple Green.
Utilizing a hand pump sprayer fill it up with Simple Green and with the bike dry and in the shade spray it all over the bike and then let it sit for about 5 minutes, come back and spray it again, a couple minutes later utilizing a hose wash it down with water, that's it for the cleaning, as another poster said you can use a Leaf Blower I use to but now I just use my air tank to dry the bike.
I let it sit afterwards for about an hour then I use Protect All (bought at the Harley Dealer) it is a spray can and I use it on all the painted and chrome parts.
Protect All polishes, waxes, treats and protects, it is fast and can be used in-between washes to keep the bike looking good. spray it on a cloth wipe the painted and chrome areas and with another cloth wipe it off, I can do the whole bike in 5 minutes.
Utilizing a hand pump sprayer fill it up with Simple Green and with the bike dry and in the shade spray it all over the bike and then let it sit for about 5 minutes, come back and spray it again, a couple minutes later utilizing a hose wash it down with water, that's it for the cleaning, as another poster said you can use a Leaf Blower I use to but now I just use my air tank to dry the bike.
I let it sit afterwards for about an hour then I use Protect All (bought at the Harley Dealer) it is a spray can and I use it on all the painted and chrome parts.
Protect All polishes, waxes, treats and protects, it is fast and can be used in-between washes to keep the bike looking good. spray it on a cloth wipe the painted and chrome areas and with another cloth wipe it off, I can do the whole bike in 5 minutes.
Advanced
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 80
Likes: 1
From: Georgia
I use simple green to lift any greaey spots' too but I don't do it every time I clean the bike. I use Maguirs Quick Detailer for the tank and fenders just spray it on and wipe off. And I get the crome with Never Dull. I haven't given it a hose down water bath in years. Every once I a while I do the paint cleaner, polish, and wax bottles my kids get me but I'm not that worried about it.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,088
Likes: 1,962
From: Somewhere on the Bourbon trail
I've been using HD Quickwash or Sunwash for warm sunny days. Been working pretty good so far for me. I also use an Airforce Blaster to dry the bike. Makes quick work for drying, and leaves no spots. Then I hit the chrome with a chrome polish.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 25,310
Likes: 2,446
From: Eastern NE
Just be extra cautious with leaf blower/vac for drying...all it takes is one dip to the ground to make it become a sandblaster. Those things can pick-up debris in a sec and shoots out onto your tins...causing damage galore. Also, they blow air at higher rate(s) than hand vacs so you can actually push moisture into places it shouldn't go.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 64
Likes: 1
From: North Alabama
Air Dryer
I have a little vacuum/blower I bought from sportsman's guide for $12.98 last Christmas. I use the vac for refinishing furniture and the blower for drying. I have used it for two furniture pieces and 2 bike dryings, so it has been well worth it.