Washing your bike?
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 126
Likes: 6
From: Clover SC
Washing your bike?
How do you guys wash your bikes? Soup and water and spray it off?
What kind of cloth?
Chamois to dry it?
What do you use to keep the wheels clean?
What kind of chrome polish?
What kind of wax?
My house is on a well and we have hard water. Was thinking about taking the bike to the car wash so I dont have to worry about hard water spots.
Thanks
Wade
What kind of cloth?
Chamois to dry it?
What do you use to keep the wheels clean?
What kind of chrome polish?
What kind of wax?
My house is on a well and we have hard water. Was thinking about taking the bike to the car wash so I dont have to worry about hard water spots.
Thanks
Wade
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,510
Likes: 8,349
From: Cleveland, Ohio
Do not use chamois to dry it can scratch finish.
Terry cloth or microfiber only.
I usually dont use much water at all. Sometimes I dont use any.
I blow blow all dust off bike. Use car wash soap with sponge if needed, use clean towel and sponge to rinse, no hose. Then a leaf blower to dry
Then I use meguirs spray cleaner to clean it thoroughly. And apply a quality paste wax. You can use a spray wax but it wont last as long.
Min the spring I use a meguirs rubbing compound, that is not very aggressive, before I wax.
A good coat of wax is key to keeping the bike protected and easier to clean the next time.
Last edited by Just Mike; May 5, 2018 at 08:17 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,625
Likes: 123
From: Meridian, Idaho
I use a leaf blower to blow off the water after washing it. And then use a microfiber cloth to polish the chrome. We have hard water here in Idaho as well. no issues. I myself do not use wax on denim paint. The tires and rims I use a spray bottle full of 50/50 water and simple green and a sponge they clean right up.
Some riders say they never wash their bike, some occasionally. I wash mine all the time never had any problems. Do not use armor all on the tires or running boards or seats...
Ride safe man
Some riders say they never wash their bike, some occasionally. I wash mine all the time never had any problems. Do not use armor all on the tires or running boards or seats...
Ride safe man
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 5,691
Likes: 1,651
From: Olean, NY
Youre seriously going to get a million different answers on this subject. But, I use a combo of a few things. When the bike is really dirty, I spray the engine area with Gunk foamy degreaser, wash the bike with Meguires car wash soap, dry with a leaf blower and wipe down with a spray detailer.
When the bike is just dusty, Ill use a quick spray wash on the whole bike or simple green (do not let it sit on the bike for too long!). Or Ill just wipe it down with a spray detailer but Im not as **** as most. I keep my bike looking good, not showroom condition after each ride, thats just ridiculous to me.
When the bike is just dusty, Ill use a quick spray wash on the whole bike or simple green (do not let it sit on the bike for too long!). Or Ill just wipe it down with a spray detailer but Im not as **** as most. I keep my bike looking good, not showroom condition after each ride, thats just ridiculous to me.
Banned
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 607
Likes: 107
From: Dark Side of the Moon
I've been using the car care products by Griot's for both bike and cars. I've also used Meguiar's products, and it does a good job. Use a soft cloth or sponge, just like you would on a new expensive car.
For waxing, I use a good carnauba wax.
For drying, I use an air blower by Metrovac called AirForce Blaster. It's great for my cars and bike.
For waxing, I use a good carnauba wax.
For drying, I use an air blower by Metrovac called AirForce Blaster. It's great for my cars and bike.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 820
From: Moneta, Virginia
I keep my bike waxed, nothing fancy, Nu Finish or Black Magic.
I use S100, but dilute it about 30% with water.
I spray the engine and wheels and hard to reach spots with the S100 mix then use car wash and a mitt (saves your hands) and do section at a time... rinse extremely well and then I use a leaf blower to dry it off. I usually take it down the road a mile or so to dry the brake rotors and heat the moter up a bit to finish the drying.
It takes about 30 minutes to wash and dry and another 30 to put a light coat of wax on her.
I use S100, but dilute it about 30% with water.
I spray the engine and wheels and hard to reach spots with the S100 mix then use car wash and a mitt (saves your hands) and do section at a time... rinse extremely well and then I use a leaf blower to dry it off. I usually take it down the road a mile or so to dry the brake rotors and heat the moter up a bit to finish the drying.
It takes about 30 minutes to wash and dry and another 30 to put a light coat of wax on her.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 248
Likes: 187
From: Central mass
I don’t usually “wash” my bike, unless I’m stuck in rain and it’s especially dirty. My usual cleanings I use either Honda polish or a spray detailer and always a microfiber cloth no matter what I’m using. The most important thing to remember whenever cleaning anything that’s painted is to never wipe dirt off dry, it’ll leave scratches every time, even foaming glass cleaner works great for small touch ups in a pinch.
For chrome my absolute favorite is blue devil (i think,I’ll have to go to my shed and double check the brand but it’s a blue topped jar available at Wally World of all places) I’ve tried every major brand chrome cleaner and polish, but this stuff gives the best shine, removes way more imperfections and lasts the longest ( it says it leaves a silicone layer behind to protect the chrome
For chrome my absolute favorite is blue devil (i think,I’ll have to go to my shed and double check the brand but it’s a blue topped jar available at Wally World of all places) I’ve tried every major brand chrome cleaner and polish, but this stuff gives the best shine, removes way more imperfections and lasts the longest ( it says it leaves a silicone layer behind to protect the chrome
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,347
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From: Moneta, Virginia
