Stupid Question Alert - Cleaning
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4,606
Likes: 2
From: Denver, Colorado
Stupid Question Alert - Cleaning
Okay, keep in mind I have owned a Street Bob for almost 5 years with a blacked out set up, denim paint, and a lot of wrinkle powder coating. As such, I only had chrome on the front forks, which I admit I neglected in the cleaning department.
See that huge expensive thing down there in my signature? Yeah I want to take care of that, but all the Bob ever needed was a garden hose and some dish soap. Window cleaner "shined" the denim paint and that was it.
Any suggestions on the best supplies (not named Harley) for cleaning this kind of paint and all this chrome? Neverdull, etc? Also, and this sounds waaaaaay stupid, but I have never ever had to polish a bike in my life. Suggestions? I would rather do it write from the beginning than use some crap cleaner that will lead to oxidization in the future.
Thanks in advance! haha.
See that huge expensive thing down there in my signature? Yeah I want to take care of that, but all the Bob ever needed was a garden hose and some dish soap. Window cleaner "shined" the denim paint and that was it.
Any suggestions on the best supplies (not named Harley) for cleaning this kind of paint and all this chrome? Neverdull, etc? Also, and this sounds waaaaaay stupid, but I have never ever had to polish a bike in my life. Suggestions? I would rather do it write from the beginning than use some crap cleaner that will lead to oxidization in the future.
Thanks in advance! haha.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,833
Likes: 35
From: Southern Maryland
i use windex for anything chrome, s-100 a couple of times a year to clean it all over. i also have some s-100 paste wax i use at the beginning and end of the season and use detail spray in between....i've used turtle, meguiars, pledge, and others. i keep coming back to the meguiars for ease of cleaning and shine in between quality time with my bike. most of the time, its a kiss and a promise and the meguiars does it for me. easily obtained at wally world.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 364
Likes: 8
From: Newberry SC
Expect a lot of variability in responses to your question! I've used Pledge, along with the orange and lemon furniture spray equivalents from Dollar Tree and it looks great. Also like Meguiar's detailer and Lucas Quick Mist spray wax.
Get some microfiber towels from Sam's.
Once or twice a year, I'll go at it with a clay bar, then follow up with a liquid wax, like Meguiar's NXT.
'fooz
Get some microfiber towels from Sam's.
Once or twice a year, I'll go at it with a clay bar, then follow up with a liquid wax, like Meguiar's NXT.
'fooz
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 171
From: Simi Valley, CA
There's a lot of good products out there and like some of the previous posters I swear by Meguiars products.
Here's the kicker for you though... Regardless of what product(s) you use or even what brand of products you use - the process you use is equally as important, if not even moreso.
Here's the kicker for you though... Regardless of what product(s) you use or even what brand of products you use - the process you use is equally as important, if not even moreso.
Last edited by 2black1s; Oct 11, 2013 at 10:15 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,138
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From: SE Michigan
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 386
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From: Houston, OH
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 335
Likes: 21
From: Nassau County, NY
Not sure what chrome polish I use. I will check later for you. But for the tins i use Malco Paint Rejuvinator to polish. It will remove all the swirls and water spots. Follow that with a coat of Collonite 845 wax on the paint and chrome. Do that 2x a year and you will be good with regular washes when needed. Rain X i feel is still the best for windshields IMO.
I also went from an 08 Denim Black SB to a 13 RK in vivid black. This whole cleaning thing sucks.
I also went from an 08 Denim Black SB to a 13 RK in vivid black. This whole cleaning thing sucks.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 10,637
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From: Lake, Ms
Expect a lot of variability in responses to your question! I've used Pledge, along with the orange and lemon furniture spray equivalents from Dollar Tree and it looks great. Also like Meguiar's detailer and Lucas Quick Mist spray wax.
Get some microfiber towels from Sam's.
Once or twice a year, I'll go at it with a clay bar, then follow up with a liquid wax, like Meguiar's NXT.
'fooz
Get some microfiber towels from Sam's.
Once or twice a year, I'll go at it with a clay bar, then follow up with a liquid wax, like Meguiar's NXT.
'fooz
As someone mentioned before I used to use furniture polish and it worked pretty good. Now I used either Protect All or Original Bike Spirits. I like the Protect All because you can spray it on anything paint, chrome, glass, mirror, vinyl, and it won't harm it and will not leave streaks. Just spray it on and wipe it off with a microfiber detailing rag.