Bike cleaning topic

[MIKASAMUEL]

Hi guys, I am new to here and also newbie of riding.

Recently I am looking for a cleaning product to clean my bike, it's Yamaha R3, I found the product that called MOTOMUCK from Trademe.
After I did some research, some of you guys are using Dynamo. I am not sure is it safe for the bikes? And does it works well as the bike cleaner?

Making sure is this the one? https://shop.countdown.co.nz/Shop/Pr...shing%20powder

My friend recommend me to use Muc-Off, but that shit is quite expensive.

Newbie need you guys help.

[caspernz]

There's quite a few choices, and as long as you stay away from the Sunlight dishwash, think neutral detergent basically.

Look at CT18 from Chemwash, available at Repco and Supercheap.

Or try Grapewash from Pacer.

Both are cost effective and kind to your paintwork while still cleaning thoroughly.

Beyond that the main ingredient is elbow grease and a selection of brushes and sponges. Oh and save the water blaster to clean your driveway obviously...

[EJK]

IMO the ones with "Motorcycle specific wash formulae" are marketing bull crap. Cars are made of metal and plastic, bikes are also made out of metal and plastic.

Get a cheap big bottle car wash from Supercheap or Repco. Sometimes I also mix a little Bar's Bug Windscreen Cleaner to clean off bugs during spring/ summer.

[Ifsn8u]

IMO the ones with "Motorcycle specific wash formulae" are marketing bull crap. Cars are made of metal and plastic, bikes are also made out of metal and plastic.

Get a cheap big bottle car wash from Supercheap or Repco.

This, don't need know fancy shit.

[SVboy]

MotoMuck is great on dirt bikes, but is bloody dear. The Dynamo trick I worry about-works well but I think it leaves a corrosive residue in hard to rinse and dry places.

[swarfie]

Dynamo. Great stuff. Use it in my waterblaster (has a dispenser bottle) on all sorts of gear including the house, windows, car, motorhome and dirtbike. Stay away from sensitive areas like wheel and swingarm bearings because water in there will bugger them. Use it in a bucket with warm water with a brush on the road bikes and classics. Rinse off well and dry with a rag or chamois. Beats the hell out all those expensive cleaners that just simply cost more.

[R650R]

Yep just use meguirs car wahs tuff, big litre bottle on special quite often. Spray waxes are great, easier to use and lost long tiome.
Use metal polish to clean up a tired looking clear Perspex screen, water marks on mirros and petrified dry bugs in summer.
If need degreaser on your wheels for chain lube etc spray that first while bike dry then soapy water.
NEVER use water blasters unless you like replacing swingarma nd wheel bearings often

[pritch]

Yep just use meguirs car wahs tuff, big litre bottle on special quite often.

Yep (I think.) That's what I use.

[Honest Andy]

And don't just use wax on the paintwork, use it on your engine too cos it's covered in clear lacquer or silver paint that needs just as much protection from sun and rain and dust.

Use metal polish to clean up a tired looking clear Perspex screen

Never tried that! But my current screen is polycarb so that might be a bit soft for metal polish maybe? What do you reckon?

A mate of mine who was in the RNZAF always uses pledge furniture polish on his screens cos that's what they used on the choppers. Works ok too.

[Moi]

... But my current screen is polycarb so that might be a bit soft for metal polish maybe? What do you reckon?

A mate of mine who was in the RNZAF always uses pledge furniture polish on his screens cos that's what they used on the choppers. Works ok too.

You could try a wee bit of toothpaste in an out-of-the-way spot and see how that goes...

[george formby]

And don't just use wax on the paintwork, use it on your engine too cos it's covered in clear lacquer or silver paint that needs just as much protection from sun and rain and dust.


Never tried that! But my current screen is polycarb so that might be a bit soft for metal polish maybe? What do you reckon?

A mate of mine who was in the RNZAF always uses pledge furniture polish on his screens cos that's what they used on the choppers. Works ok too.

+1 Good stuff for buffing clear and shiny parts. Cheap, too. A can in the garage seems to last forever. Mine is rusty and still squirting.

I use generic car shampoo on the whole bike but I have yet to find a detergent that gets rid of oil residue from the chain and sprockets. I get anal with a toothbrush and kero to get rid of that spooge. I get anal first, then shampoo the bike.

After anal and a shampoo I take the bike for a wee ride to dry it off and then give it a bit of polish and detailing.

Being old, I'm a big fan of Solvol Autosol for polishing my exposed and unprotected alloy parts. It has a lustrous gleam when applied and removed with vigour.

Toothpaste is a very fine abrasive which is good for softer, clear plastics, but newspaper is cheap and just as effective. A bit like me....

I avoid water blasting the bikes not because of potential damage to me greasy bits but more because getting your hands on the bike is a form of maintenance. It's amazing what you notice needs attention when your getting anal with a toothbrush.

Oh. Don't use your own toothbrush.

[EJK]

Oh. Don't use your own toothbrush.

How about wife's?

[GazzaH]

Whose wife?

[CB ARGH]

While we're on the topic of bike washing...

Has anybody had any experience with foam gun washing?

I had a little go with a cheap alternative but failed miserably. Does anybody know a cheap way to do this?

[Laava]

I use xt88. This is what the local truckers all use. It goes in the waterblaster dispenser and foams on. Then give it a good swirl around with a soft brush and we're done. Note, no one cleaner is going to do everything, ie, tar spots, chain grease etc, but this is as good as motomuck. It is on trademe I believe, but I get it from the seller, take back my 4l container and pay $20. Also use it in a spray bottle for cleaning the shower, is odourless so works for me!