Quick Cleaning question
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Stage I
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1
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From: Central Illinois
Quick Cleaning question
I saw this new cleaning product on HD.com called "Quick Wash", does anyone know if is worth a worth the $8, or any other quick cleaning tips/products? I also hear that Simple Green was great for cleaning bikes. A buddy told me he will rinse "not spray" off his bikes with a hose then cover it in Simple Green, wait about 10 minutes then rinse. Any and all quick cleaning tips are appreciaed. I am just looking to keep the new bike looking new, and not have to spend hours detailing it.
Last edited by Ryan Oldridge; Apr 21, 2012 at 01:58 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,221
Likes: 4
From: Annemasse (border of Geneva-Switzerland) facing Mt-Blanc.
I'm also curious about these new detergents and I read the MSDS of the "Simple Green" product because it's sold over here...
MSDS says you can have a slight irritation of eyes and skin, it's PH is above 10, is non flammable and has less than 5% solvent.
Reading between the lines I understand this is a fine cleaning product as long as your surface remains wet during the process but you still have to carry away the dirt 'mechanically' otherwise it will be transformed in a powder/dry residue as soon as it dries.
I use tap water and wipe the bike dry because there is much less risk of scratching the surfaces. BTW all seals and connectors are designed to resist to water coming from the front
MSDS says you can have a slight irritation of eyes and skin, it's PH is above 10, is non flammable and has less than 5% solvent.
Reading between the lines I understand this is a fine cleaning product as long as your surface remains wet during the process but you still have to carry away the dirt 'mechanically' otherwise it will be transformed in a powder/dry residue as soon as it dries.
I use tap water and wipe the bike dry because there is much less risk of scratching the surfaces. BTW all seals and connectors are designed to resist to water coming from the front
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,124
Likes: 4
From: pittsburgh, pa
These spray-on bike washes are pretty good when the bike is lightly soiled/dusty/rain spotted. I use Captain Richard's Cherry Bike Wash myself in these applications, and am pleased with the results. But nothing beats a good quality car wash detergent and a wash mitt to properly wash your bike. I use the bike wash in between full washes, and usually use a spray detailer afterwards to have a high gloss to the bike.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,124
Likes: 4
From: pittsburgh, pa
BTW-be careful when using Simple Green on your bike. Spraying it on undiluted will eat the wax/polish off it, and Simple Green is corrosive to aluminum. I generally avoid Simple Green on my bike, but have used it on my stock wheels on my '08 FLHTP work bike. We ride in salt/slush during the winter, and it beats the hell out of our wheels (not to mention every other part too!).
You will be better off staying on top of the cleaning so you can avoid having to use harsh cleaning products.
You will be better off staying on top of the cleaning so you can avoid having to use harsh cleaning products.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,022
Likes: 60
From: Greer, South Carolina
If it's dusty some of the quick cleaners might work okay, but use caution because they'll push dirt along the paint surface and scratch it. If it's dirty, hand wash with car detergent and water as PghCycle 24 said. Nothing can beat that.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 983
Likes: 4
From: Indiana
Have not used Simple Green in years as I found it to be very caustic and thus damaging.
S-100 Cycle cleaner expensive but well worth it.
http://www.s100.com/s100_tcc.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrvVb...eature=related
S-100 Cycle cleaner expensive but well worth it.
http://www.s100.com/s100_tcc.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrvVb...eature=related
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Tourer
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: San Diego, CA
Regular simple green can be harmful to aluminum and is harsh on paint. While it's not cheap, I keep some "Extreme Simple Green" on hand. It was designed to clean aluminum aircraft.
I use it to wash the engines on my car/truck and occasionally on the wheels or frame on my Harley, if they get really dirty/greasy. I do avoid getting it on painted surfaces to preserve the wax.
http://industrial.simplegreen.com/in...ts_extreme.php
I use it to wash the engines on my car/truck and occasionally on the wheels or frame on my Harley, if they get really dirty/greasy. I do avoid getting it on painted surfaces to preserve the wax.
http://industrial.simplegreen.com/in...ts_extreme.php
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,949
Likes: 288
I'll try to answer your question. I bought the Quick Wash and have only used it once. However, it worked exactly as advertised. I wet down the scoot, sprayed it on one side at a time, waited 1-2 minutes, then sprayed it off. Repeat for the other side. Worked perfectly. Dried the scoot with my dryer and it looked great. I think it will work fine for the "in between" the serious wash/wax/chrome events, which I do about 3 - 4 times a year. Give it a try.
TedMan
TedMan