cleaning the dresser
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
cleaning the dresser
After a weekend trip I just happened to get caught in a downpour with hail. What a mess but made it through safely. Of course I want to get the bike clean like it was before the crappy weather. What can others recommend for tips on cleaning the bike and bringing it back to showroom. I was thinking of giving a complete bath then using a leaf blower along with a air compressor to help get excess water off it. Any tips from the crew would be appreciated. Thanks.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,287
Likes: 3
From: murfreesboro tn.
RE: cleaning the dresser
s100 for cleaning meguires for waxing. i dont recommend compressed air or a leaf blower as it blows dirt and dust all over the clean bike. a clean chamois to dry the put in the shade to wax while the bike is cool
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 612
Likes: 0
From: Phila
RE: cleaning the dresser
Shop Vac, compressed air or leaf blower are not good choices - they don't have any filters on them, so the air coming out contains minute dust and debris.. it can scratch paint.
 \\;
Here's a link to a motorcycle blow dryer that works pretty good. \\; It filters the air, and heats it so the air itself is not moist.. helps dry quicker.
 \\;
http://www.hdtalking.com/ext.php?ref...ycledryer.com/
 \\;
You could also google Dog Dryers.. there's a couple out there that are a bit cheaper than the M/C dryers, with filtered air too.
 \\;
let me know when you're proficient at it, and I'll bring mine over
 \\;
 \\;
Here's a link to a motorcycle blow dryer that works pretty good. \\; It filters the air, and heats it so the air itself is not moist.. helps dry quicker.
 \\;
http://www.hdtalking.com/ext.php?ref...ycledryer.com/
 \\;
You could also google Dog Dryers.. there's a couple out there that are a bit cheaper than the M/C dryers, with filtered air too.
 \\;
let me know when you're proficient at it, and I'll bring mine over
 \\;
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 349
Likes: 0
From: United States of America :-)
RE: cleaning the dresser
If you have bugs spattered all over the windshield/faring, etc. a 50/50 mix of hydrogen peroxide and water does wonders and far better than scrubbing till the paint comes off. 
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,413
Likes: 17
From: eastern oklahoma
i refuse to use the quarter car wash, my solution was to use a new weed sprayer, the pump up kind, ortho one gal, for me. ivory dishwashing in first tank, then clear water in the rinse, or second filling, a tad of calgon if ya want the sheeting action to prevent water spots, it has worked for me. the weed sprayers cost fourteen bux at wally world.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,272
Likes: 3
From: Slidell, Louisiana
I use regular car wash and a wool mitt. Rinse entire bike before wash with a low pressure garden nozzle, wash, 50/50 mix s100 and water on eng. then rinse and plug in the Mr. clean for a spot free rinse. Shop vac to blow off water unless there is a dust storm or you live in a junk yard the shop vac works. I use micro fiber towels to finish off with protect all.
Last edited by captjon37; Aug 14, 2008 at 12:33 AM.
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 359
Likes: 0
From: Western North Carolina
If you just came thru a storm like that your bike is clean, its been over 2 yrs since I've washed a bike.
If you wash and wax them they just get dirty again.
Look for a got rain shower every few days and you are good for life.
If you wash and wax them they just get dirty again.
Look for a got rain shower every few days and you are good for life.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,314
Likes: 5
Don't use a high pressure sprayer anywhere on the bike, just a low pressure garden hose type. Try not to get any more water up around the inner fairing than necessary to keep from fogging gauges and other electronic problems. I use an electric blower I got from cycle care a couple years ago, it has a soft rubber tip so you won't cause any damage if you happen to touch paint or other surfaces, but any blower will work, just be careful with the tip if it is metal or hard plastic.