Proper Washing Technique
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 616
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Proper Washing Technique
The first thing I do is cover the gauges and the radio with a garbage bag. \\; I hang it from my three puches on the dash. \\; I got my radio wet right after I bought the bike and the radio display quit working for a few days then came back on.
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Put bike on my sears bike jack to level it so I can get to the wheels easy.
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Then I hose as many of the bugs off as I can and give them time to soften up. \\; They will scratch if you scrub.
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Good old micro fiber mit and car wash soap. \\; Do not wash in sunlight or when paint is hot from sun.
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Rinse with Mr Clean gizmo so you are using soft water.
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Blow dry with leaf blower, water will fly off the bike when rinsed with soft water. \\; Blow all the buttons and crevices out.
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Polish paint with Mcguires finish spray and micro fiber cloth and chrome with windex.
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A good coat of wax is a great idea especially on the fairing.
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I can do all this in 20 minutes give or take if i have to.
 \\;
Put bike on my sears bike jack to level it so I can get to the wheels easy.
 \\;
Then I hose as many of the bugs off as I can and give them time to soften up. \\; They will scratch if you scrub.
 \\;
Good old micro fiber mit and car wash soap. \\; Do not wash in sunlight or when paint is hot from sun.
 \\;
Rinse with Mr Clean gizmo so you are using soft water.
 \\;
Blow dry with leaf blower, water will fly off the bike when rinsed with soft water. \\; Blow all the buttons and crevices out.
 \\;
Polish paint with Mcguires finish spray and micro fiber cloth and chrome with windex.
 \\;
A good coat of wax is a great idea especially on the fairing.
 \\;
I can do all this in 20 minutes give or take if i have to.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 6
From: Indiana
RE: Proper Washing Technique
ORIGINAL: StreetGlide2006
I don`t wash my bike. I keep a good coat of wax on it and after riding I use Maguire's polymer detailer on it. Great for bugs and everything else I have run across. I use quality microfiber cloths from \\\\\\;www.autogeek.net
I don`t wash my bike. I keep a good coat of wax on it and after riding I use Maguire's polymer detailer on it. Great for bugs and everything else I have run across. I use quality microfiber cloths from \\\\\\;www.autogeek.net
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 56,052
Likes: 88,761
From: Western South Dakota
RE: Proper Washing Technique
I tried S 100 a while back as my local stealership said that it was the sheet, however I found that it left a filmy coat of crap on it. Needless to say won't use it again.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 30,881
Likes: 32,991
From: King George, VA
RE: Proper Washing Technique
I use engine cleaner on the underside of the engine and tranny to get the road grime off. \\; I use a tooth brush to loosen what won't come off with the rinse cycle. \\; Nothing like a clean underside of the scooter when leaning into the turns. \\; 8-)
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
RE: Proper Washing Technique
ORIGINAL: StreetGlide2006
Not many coats. Use a good wax and you only need to do it once a year. I have vivid black and wax it over the winter and buff out any marks I have collected during the riding season. Then I wax it and am good till the next winter. Using good microfiber clothes makes a big difference in not getting the fine scratches on the paint that other rags leave.
Ride Safe,
Mike
Not many coats. Use a good wax and you only need to do it once a year. I have vivid black and wax it over the winter and buff out any marks I have collected during the riding season. Then I wax it and am good till the next winter. Using good microfiber clothes makes a big difference in not getting the fine scratches on the paint that other rags leave.
Ride Safe,
Mike
also, i use meguires skratch-x to get rid of all those fine scratches (like around the gas cap). \\; its safe for clear coat and works great.
i've lately been using peroxide on the bugs (as per a tip from the forum here). \\; spray it on, they wipe right off.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 352
Likes: 0
From: Meadville PA
RE: Proper Washing Technique
I hardly ever wash with a Mit or sponge.. I bought a li electric pressure washer from Wally world (1500PSI) and Use that when the Bike starts getting Grimey.I use Purple power on the Motor wheels and Tires .Then use an absorber to get the Water off the paint and an air compressor to dry the motor... For a Quick Detail I use Lemon Free Pledge and two Micro fiber cloths,The first one to wipe it off,and the second to make sure all the streaks are gone...
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Since the Purple power strips wak,Go over the bike with your favorite wax, Mines Zymol
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Since the Purple power strips wak,Go over the bike with your favorite wax, Mines Zymol
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
From: Kenner, La.
RE: Proper Washing Technique
The only wau to wash a black bike is with a MR.Clean. If you do not wet the bike good you will end up with small white scatches that you can not buff out. As far as the water spots-there are no spots when using the MR Clean machine even if you wash it in the sun