10 Products (and Materials) You Need to Wash Your Harley

Don't let your Harley-Davidson get grimy.

You like to take it on both short and long distance trips, so all of that dirt and dead bugs accumulate on your beloved Harley. Treat your Harley-Davidson the way it treats you, and keep it clean, too. Here are ten products, as well as materials, you will need to keep your ride spotless and polished. 

1. Wash Mitt, Microfiber Cloth, Rags

Besides water and soap, this has to be a pretty obvious needed material. You will need wash mitts or sponges to wash your Harley, while the microfiber cloths and rags will be used to wipe off the water. Also, you will want to make sure you have enough of these, and keep them separate. Don't drag the dirt from one area to another because you want to use the same cloth. 

2. Wheel and Spoke Brush, Bug Sponge, Toothbrushes

There are also brushes and sponges available for specific areas. The wheel and spoke brush is for your wheels of course, and the bug eater sponge will help break down the bugs that have found a final resting place on your Harley's surface. Toothbrushes, on the other hand, can be used for those smaller, hard-to-reach areas.  

3. Soap

Soap varies, but you can generally go with any car wash soap. Mr. Clean, Meguiar's, Turtle Wax, Bike Brite are cleaning products that forum members have recommended. You should, of course, follow the label's directions. Dish soap, on the other hand, is something you want to avoid. While many have used it for washing their cars in a pinch, dish soap is going to strip away the wax on any paint surface, bike or car.

(Related Thread: Best Soap to Wash the Bike - HDForums.com) 

4. Dryer

Along with the microfiber cloth, you can also use Harley-Davidson's HOG Blaster Dryer, which will help to cut drying time. What's more, its warm, filtered air will eliminate streaks and spots. The dryer will make sure you achieve a spotless clean right from beginning. 

5. Bug Remover

Bird poop and the sun aren't the only elements that can hurt your Harley's paint; squashed bugs can also ruin the finish. If you didn't know, the insides of insects are acidic, and that is going to cause the paint to discolor over time if not removed properly. Bug remover is needed to aid in removing those nasty bugs off of your windshield, headlights, or any other areas those little creeps get on.

6. Wheel and Tire Cleaner

Soap and water might not be enough to get rid of the grime built up on your tires, so you will need a product specifically made to fight that. Wheel and tire cleaners are formulated to remove road grime, brake dust and even grease from your wheels to leave them looking shiny and new. 

7. Polish

Polishing your Harley is going to remove grease, dirt, scrapes and scratches that a regular wash can't remove. Polish is also used to return shine to the chrome and aluminum areas of your H-D. Don't forget to apply the polish in circular motions.

8. Wax

Waxing is done after polishing and is meant to add more shine to your ride, but it does more than that. Wax will protect your Harley's paint from elements such as dirt, dead bugs, bird poop and even UV rays. If you want to keep your Harley-Davidson looking new all the time, then wax is a must-have product.

9. Windshield Cleaner Wipes

Any driver knows that windshields can get grimy and become hazy over time. But did you know that you could do more harm than good by using Windex and paper towels? If you are in need of cleaning your windshield the right way, use Harley-Davidson approved windshield cleaner wipes. 

10. Quick Wash Cleaner

If you want a quick clean, then Quick Wash is the product for you. It is made to safely tackle all surfaces, from the tough to soft areas on your H-D. The Quick Wash cleaner is strong enough to remove those nasty bugs and yet safe enough to clean your leather seats. The directions are simple enough; just spray and rinse. 

Join the conversation about Harley-Davidson washing tips right here at HDforums.com!

For more information on maintenance and repairs, check out our do-it-yourself technical articles at HDForums.com/How-Tos/.