Motorcycle Wash Service
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 8,012
Likes: 6,908
From: NC
Waterless wash left fine scratch visible in the black paint. I was using a new microfiber for small sections, like half tank, then half saddle bag, etc. I used 10+ microfiber towels. It was a Griots waterless wash.
I then re-washed the whole bike with dawn dish soap to remove all the wax down to the paint. Then re-waxed the paint and polished the chrome. About 4 hours work. The swirls were not into the paint so I got lucky.
A few years ago I bought a bunch of Griots stuff. Foam cannon, foam wash, microfiber cloths. Never will buy their stuff again. Turtle wax and S100 works for me.
I then re-washed the whole bike with dawn dish soap to remove all the wax down to the paint. Then re-waxed the paint and polished the chrome. About 4 hours work. The swirls were not into the paint so I got lucky.
A few years ago I bought a bunch of Griots stuff. Foam cannon, foam wash, microfiber cloths. Never will buy their stuff again. Turtle wax and S100 works for me.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 3,442
Likes: 1,429
From: pensacola fl
Waterless wash left fine scratch visible in the black paint. I was using a new microfiber for small sections, like half tank, then half saddle bag, etc. I used 10+ microfiber towels. It was a Griots waterless wash.
I then re-washed the whole bike with dawn dish soap to remove all the wax down to the paint. Then re-waxed the paint and polished the chrome. About 4 hours work. The swirls were not into the paint so I got lucky.
A few years ago I bought a bunch of Griots stuff. Foam cannon, foam wash, microfiber cloths. Never will buy their stuff again. Turtle wax and S100 works for me.
I then re-washed the whole bike with dawn dish soap to remove all the wax down to the paint. Then re-waxed the paint and polished the chrome. About 4 hours work. The swirls were not into the paint so I got lucky.
A few years ago I bought a bunch of Griots stuff. Foam cannon, foam wash, microfiber cloths. Never will buy their stuff again. Turtle wax and S100 works for me.
Dawn can degrade wax but it can't remove it. It leaves a film on the paint to inhibit beading, why people think it removes wax. Now if the wax is on its last leg then sure it can remove it.
If the swirls were not in the paint, what were they in??
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 18,462
Likes: 3,723
From: backwoods
Ya, smells like a stripper, kinda like baby oil. I used bugslide for awhile, I am not sure there is a huge difference. For 20 years I used pledge on the windshields. Then year before, I decided to be a better person, after scrubbing scrubbing, hot towel, hot towel on my fairing, repeat. So now I try to do the fairing after most rides, and little more around the front depending on mood. A *****'s bath for sure.
For the price and that I can't tell the difference, I am going to keep buying it. The big slide is cheaper if you buy in bulk, but it is still pricey.
I am trying to figure out if I can tell on the windshield or not. Again, I don't think I can.
For the price and that I can't tell the difference, I am going to keep buying it. The big slide is cheaper if you buy in bulk, but it is still pricey.
I am trying to figure out if I can tell on the windshield or not. Again, I don't think I can.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,160
Likes: 11,249
From: San Diego, CA
Ya, smells like a stripper, kinda like baby oil. I used bugslide for awhile, I am not sure there is a huge difference.
For the price and that I can't tell the difference, I am going to keep buying it. The big slide is cheaper if you buy in bulk, but it is still pricey.
I am trying to figure out if I can tell on the windshield or not. Again, I don't think I can.
I'll wash the motorhome one day (if it is dirty from travel) and then go over it with the Wash/Wax All the next day.... Sometimes, if the sun doesn't come out early and heat things up, I can apply the Wash/Wax All on the RV, while it's still damp from the wash, all in one day.
It is a lot easier than wax (I pay to have the RV detailed once a year), the job goes quickly (albeit with a lot of up & down the ladder), and the RV looks great afterwards. If the motothome is just dusty or just has some streaks/spots from dew/rain, I can skip the wash..
I now use it on my bikes, in between wash/wax sessions, as my "go to" quick touch up detail spray...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 32,934
Likes: 36,032
From: Carlsbad, CA
Maybe I'm just the "exception".....but I actually enjoy detailing my Ultra Limited myself. I always detail it at the end of the riding season here in the Midwest but I also do it at least once a summer if the weather isn't riding weather. (I don't have a water/hose issue) It gives me time to clean and inspect al the nooks and crannys.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 8,012
Likes: 6,908
From: NC
Technique for WW is the most important thing when doing this type of wash. Either the paint was too dirty for this type of wash, bad MF, or bad technique. Ive used WW on a customers Subaru vehicles and no issues, Subaru has the softest paint known to man.
Dawn can degrade wax but it can't remove it. It leaves a film on the paint to inhibit beading, why people think it removes wax. Now if the wax is on its last leg then sure it can remove it.
If the swirls were not in the paint, what were they in??
Dawn can degrade wax but it can't remove it. It leaves a film on the paint to inhibit beading, why people think it removes wax. Now if the wax is on its last leg then sure it can remove it.
If the swirls were not in the paint, what were they in??
I'll stick to S100 as I have successfully used it for 30+ years now. I follow the directions on the S100 and get great results.
Supporter
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,714
Likes: 650
From: San Ramon, Ca
Like Breaking Bad ?
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 757
Likes: 443
From: Baltimore, MD
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 18,462
Likes: 3,723
From: backwoods
Carrying on 2 buckets of water doesn't sound fun, and in an apartment may not have great way to fit them, may not fit in kitchen sink. Again myself, blast it at car wash, and touch with waterless or just polish at home, is what I would do. But I also don't care as much as some.
Supporter
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,714
Likes: 650
From: San Ramon, Ca
Carrying on 2 buckets of water doesn't sound fun, and in an apartment may not have great way to fit them, may not fit in kitchen sink. Again myself, blast it at car wash, and touch with waterless or just polish at home, is what I would do. But I also don't care as much as some.
in a plastic bag to the pass seat. Then just ride down to the coin wash. I do let it cool down
for a few minutes. But it's only a 5 min ride.
It's great for getting the road grime off the underneath.
Then touch it up at home. I like to use Windex on the chrome.
.