Car Wash?
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 130
Likes: 36
From: Westford, MA
Car Wash?
Anyone take their bike to a car wash? Not automatic but the kind you spray yourself. I live in a complex that doesn't offer a place to use a hose and it's a bit weird asking friends if I can borrow their driveway
Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 116
Likes: 29
From: Off the X
I don't make a habit of it because I do have access to a hose and a driveway but I get some folks don't but I have used a car wash while on the road. Ya just have to be careful not to get the pressure wand too close and especially not too close to any engine or electric components. Just your common sense with where you are pointing the wand.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,565
Likes: 2,015
From: Missouri
We've done it on the road. I'm VERY careful with the pressure wand. Usually I'll start with a light presoak then wash from at least 4-5 feet depending on how much room I have in the bay. I don't like spraying water on a hot engine so we will park the bike and smoke a couple cigs before starting.
Just be careful.
Just be careful.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 17,008
Likes: 14,675
From: in a cave at the foothills
People make this a bigger deal than it is. Like said, common sense. Have done this for years any time I was on the road or even sometimes during the winter when I don't feel like messing with my hose that may be frozen.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,146
Likes: 11,220
From: San Diego, CA
I use a pressure washer all the time on all three of my bikes. I have a pressure washer at home, and used to frequently use the car wash pressure wands....
These things are made to ride in the rain....
That said, I am carefull with the pressure washer and where I direct the pressure.
I spray the wheels, but I don't spray directly onto/into the wheel bearings. I don't spray directly onto/into EFI/injectors/intake area, handlebar switch paks, the fairing gauges, or any obvious electrical connections....
I've never had an issue...
Lately, I use a dryer after washing because I usually follow up a wash with polish & wax, or detail spray...
PS- as a matter of habit, anytime I have an electrical connection separated during a repair or installation, I always use dielectric grease when it is reassembled.
These things are made to ride in the rain....
That said, I am carefull with the pressure washer and where I direct the pressure.
I spray the wheels, but I don't spray directly onto/into the wheel bearings. I don't spray directly onto/into EFI/injectors/intake area, handlebar switch paks, the fairing gauges, or any obvious electrical connections....
I've never had an issue...
Lately, I use a dryer after washing because I usually follow up a wash with polish & wax, or detail spray...
PS- as a matter of habit, anytime I have an electrical connection separated during a repair or installation, I always use dielectric grease when it is reassembled.
Last edited by hattitude; Aug 28, 2018 at 10:39 PM.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,980
Likes: 5,218
From: Michigan
I usually wash my bike at home but I took it to the spray wash one day last week for a quick spray down as it was mostly dusty with a few bugs on the front.
As others have already said, keep the nozzle/spray a good distance away from the bike and don't spray directly towards any part of the bike, especially electrical controls and wheel bearings.
I took a pre-soaped (wash glove) and one the bike was wet and the bugs washed off, I gave it a quickie bath and then used the spotless rinse for the final part.
I took an extra hand towel and my "super-soaker" dry cloth and I was totally done in about 10 minutes and it looked pretty good.
As others have already said, keep the nozzle/spray a good distance away from the bike and don't spray directly towards any part of the bike, especially electrical controls and wheel bearings.
I took a pre-soaped (wash glove) and one the bike was wet and the bugs washed off, I gave it a quickie bath and then used the spotless rinse for the final part.
I took an extra hand towel and my "super-soaker" dry cloth and I was totally done in about 10 minutes and it looked pretty good.
