New cleaning tips?
Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,244
Likes: 3
From: Stamford, CT
I just bought the HD micro fibers towels. So far they are leaving little bits of fabric on the paint but blow off easily. I assume this will go away as they get used more.
the leaf blower trick works great but read in the new issue of HOG that it's not a great idea cause its blowing dirty air. For the next wash I'm going to experiment with putting a T shirt over the inlet to make a filter, see how dirty it can get over time. I can see the potential for scratching paint if something gets in the airstream.
the leaf blower trick works great but read in the new issue of HOG that it's not a great idea cause its blowing dirty air. For the next wash I'm going to experiment with putting a T shirt over the inlet to make a filter, see how dirty it can get over time. I can see the potential for scratching paint if something gets in the airstream.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,029
Likes: 9
From: NYC
No hot water at the garage so I use a spray of 50/50 hydrogen peroxide and water like Homebrew does. Works on the windshield, headlamps and metal just fine. The mixture breaks down the dead bugs, something about the bug guts being and acid and the peroxide is a base and they destroy each other... I don't know, high school was for lacrosse and girls, not science.
I prefer Zainos towels to microfiber for the paint.
I prefer Zainos towels to microfiber for the paint.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,347
Likes: 602
From: The 9th Island
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,134
Likes: 4
From: Third Coast, South Texas
No hot water at the garage so I use a spray of 50/50 hydrogen peroxide and water like Homebrew does. Works on the windshield, headlamps and metal just fine. The mixture breaks down the dead bugs, something about the bug guts being and acid and the peroxide is a base and they destroy each other... I don't know, high school was for lacrosse and girls, not science.
I prefer Zainos towels to microfiber for the paint.
I prefer Zainos towels to microfiber for the paint.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,045
Likes: 36
From: ST. Louis
I just use a micro fiber towel soaked with hot water, then a dry towel to wipe water reside off.
My only secret is to use a new wet towel pretty often. Dead bug parts on your wet towel will scratch things. Use lots of towels.
I tried the hydrogen peroxide thing and Honda cleaner thing, but straight hot water seems to work just as well and doesn't stink or make my hands feel weird.
FYI: When you wash you dirty towels in the washing machine, then put them in the dryer "do not use a dryer sheet in the dryer".
They will leave some sort of waxy film on the towel that you don't want on the bike.
My only secret is to use a new wet towel pretty often. Dead bug parts on your wet towel will scratch things. Use lots of towels.
I tried the hydrogen peroxide thing and Honda cleaner thing, but straight hot water seems to work just as well and doesn't stink or make my hands feel weird.
FYI: When you wash you dirty towels in the washing machine, then put them in the dryer "do not use a dryer sheet in the dryer".
They will leave some sort of waxy film on the towel that you don't want on the bike.
Last edited by Texas Fat Boy; Mar 24, 2010 at 11:47 AM.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 285
From: Edmond Oklahoma
Beary
After washing, use a swirl remover before waxing, use a foam applicator pad for the wax, use a good wax. I use Meguier's Tech 2.0 or something. Works great, for light cleaning while on rides, I use Meguier's Nano spray wax.