Preening advice please (also - water blasters?)

**RantyDave** · 3rd August 2008, 20:26

So I gave the new bike a reasonably serious scrub today - given that we (Wellington) were offered a quick gasp of nice weather I thought I'd take the cack off the last week or two's nasty weather off it.

Now I've been a bucket'n'sponge guy since the year dot. I actually have this mitten like object that's got all soft cleany stuff on the outside and I use a turtle wax "clean and wash" stuff under the theory that it's better than nothing and probably less damaging than straight detergent. So off I go. Wash wash wash. Then spray it down with the hose (there was some complication with fixing up the chain oil in there too, but ignore that for now) and finally *mostly* dry it off with some old tea towels.

I go for a ride, as you do after washing the bike, and stop off to do tyre pressures and notice that the wheels have a thin film of very fine ... gunk. Powdery gunk. Much reminiscent of not having bothered washing them in the first place. I've been getting pretty unhappy with the rest of the process too - the mitt thing is starting to get oil and general gunk stuck in it kinda badly (I have washed it). And the old tea towel's ability to hold water is basically not enough. I have a chamois thing, that I suspect is most definitely not real leather, but I can't see how that works to get rid of water spots either.

So, really, I'm just fishing for ideas on how I can sort out my cleaning up routine. What do you guys do?

I'm also torn on the idea of a water blaster. On the one hand I'd quite like to start being able to remove gunk in those "hard to reach" areas like behind the exhaust headers and round the rear suspensions. On the other hand I've heard horror stories of the grease being pushed out of the wheel bearings by them. Clearly not at all good. It also strikes me that it might be good for damaging comparatively soft parts of motorbikes - fork seals, seats, possibly even damaging electrical connectors. Again - opinions are sought.

Dave

**James Deuce** · 3rd August 2008, 21:01

Stay away from water blaster or pressure washers. They have the potential to do more damage than good. The Motocross guys may swear by them, but they generally don't have to use their Motocross bike as reliable transport and usually do a lot of their own maintenance.

I wet mine with the low pressure setting on the two speed hose attachment.

Then I bucket and sponge.

If it is really filthy I'll use one of those products that claim to remove all gunk before I get the bike wet, BUT I spray it onto a cloth and wipe the grotty areas down so it doesn't end up being inserted into places it shouldn't go. If I have areas with a layer of road grime or spilled oil, Kero or WD40 applied to a cloth will get it off. Wipe gently though, so as not to mark or scratch paint.

I get as much dirt off as I possibly can, then I dry it with a couple of old towels that I have put aside instead of throwing away. These get washed and dried and stored after every wash so they don't pick up dust and dirt. The screen and clocks get polished with plastic polish.

Then I apply polish, out of direct sunlight. To help manage your wheel rims, you need to apply as much polish as possible, wax or synthetic doesn't matter. The application will remove any tar and then the next time gunk gets on your wheels it is sticking to the polish not the wheel rim paint. It's a drag, but the more polish you build up when it is new, the easier they are to clean. Don't over lube your chain if you can help it.

Once a year, the fairing panels and tank come off for a cleanup underneath and in the tank's case, a couple of layers of polish to help prevent corrosion. The plastic surrounds and subframe get a layer of silicon spray as well.

It's a pleasant couple of hours doing something for yourself and the kids will come and "help" for two minutes and then drift away and even wifey will leave you to it as you are actually cleaning something.

Bike's are just more work than a car and naked (or partially naked) bikes are another level of work to keep looking nice.

**Ocean1** · 3rd August 2008, 21:13

Nix on the blaster dude, can get away with it on a comp dirt bike because there's no electrics, even then it ain't a real good idea, (gets into rear linkage bearings in particular).

The dirt word: mix some fabric softener, (yup) and water in a squirty bottle and spray the bike all over, repeat 10 min later, then break out the sponge or soft brush. Don't ask, it just works.

**chanceyy** · 3rd August 2008, 21:23

Originally Posted by Ocean1

Nix on the blaster dude, can get away with it on a comp dirt bike because there's no electrics, even then it ain't a real good idea, (gets into rear linkage bearings in particular).

The dirt word: mix some fabric softener, (yup) and water in a squirty bottle and spray the bike all over, repeat 10 min later, then break out the sponge or soft brush. Don't ask, it just works.

thanks for the tip Ocean (nice to finally meet you last nite)

pity I washed BB when I got home from welly today

will keep that tip in mind for next ride/wash

**RantyDave** · 4th August 2008, 08:11

Thanks guys.

So, a "no" to the water blaster then.

I can see how the fabric softener thing might work, somehow. Like a pre-soak for the gunk, yes? Would this work for the really tricky bits like the little fiddly nooks and crannies around brake calipers? Oh, and about 10:1 ratio on the fabric softener?

Regarding polish, I have some of that polymer stuff. I used it before on the s4 - put it on kinda thick and it dries to a thin white layer that can then be gently polished with a nice clean cloth. Is this good for the wheels? They are finished with stuff that actually looks a bit like cheap frying pan teflon. Not that I can imagine anyone being smart enough to teflon coat wheels as they come out the factory.

Thanks,
Dave

**Pwalo** · 4th August 2008, 08:25

Clean your bike every day, it's quicker in the long run. Dry it down with an old towel if it's wet (gently), wipe around the wheels, swingarm, etc with a rag sprayed with WD40, quick spray over the bodywork and plastics with Pledge (lemon scented of course) and you're ready to go.

I spray my engine with Scotoiler FS365 after I've given it a good clean, and spray it on again after heavyish rain.

If the bikes really filthy (well actaully it never gets that way), I use S100 spray on the engine, lower parts of the bike,etc, and wash off with a garden hose (no water blasters). Then a quick wash over with a decent car polish, chamois, and the daily routine again (plus oiling the chain).

**vifferman** · 4th August 2008, 08:32

Buy a proper chamois - not the crappy synthetic ones - for removing the water before it dries and leaves rain spots.

**CookMySock** · 4th August 2008, 08:38

The blaster is ok to quickly flick some shit off before cleaning it properly, but brain must be fully engaged before using it. We have a blaster permanently set up in the backyard for commercial vehicles, so I just flick the switch on and go.. Bearings, stickers, paintwork, electrics, forkseals, and anything with fins will immediately be toasted by the blaster.

Interesting to hear Ocean1's suggestion - will try that.

Wheels are the hardest to clean. That black road gunk needs exactly the right product to remove it. Any of the Tergo products (including the yellow handcleaner) get this black off really easily - I'd love to know what solvent is in it. There is another cheapo product that I got from Repco which works a treat. Its some blue watery looking stuff that smells like ammonia, in a cheap looking clear bottle, but boy does it kick arse.

Absolutely do NOT use combination wax and wash products on your bike. Unless you follow the instructions PRECISELY, they will watermark your bike badly and permanently. Nasty shit.

Chamois dry and finish with TurtleWax Ice.

HTH,
Steve

**vifferman** · 4th August 2008, 08:45

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

Wheels are the hardest to clean. That black road gunk needs exactly the right product to remove it.

Both kero and WD40 work OK for "that black road gunk" (it's actually technically known as road spooge, but the stuff you're talking about on the wheels is a combination of chain spooge and brake dust.

Some thing you definitely shouldn't use on your wheels is engine degreaser. It gets the stuff off OK, but then deposits it as an emulsion on your tyres, and it soaks into the surface. Also, do not use any of those wheel cleaners that say they'll protect the wheels from brake dust; most contain silicon or similar, and coat your tyres.

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

Absolutely do NOT use combination wax and wash products on your bike.

Whatever.
Apart from the times I've used Sunlight dishwashing liquid on my bike, wash'n'wax is all I've ever used.

**Ocean1** · 4th August 2008, 18:49

Originally Posted by RantyDave

I can see how the fabric softener thing might work, somehow. Like a pre-soak for the gunk, yes? Would this work for the really tricky bits like the little fiddly nooks and crannies around brake calipers? Oh, and about 10:1 ratio on the fabric softener?

Yeah, does a reasonable job of breaking up the lumps. Won't help with oil or tar, and you've still got to wipe the dirt off but definitely makes things easier.

Ratio? guess that's about what I use.

Nooks an’ crannies? Toothbrush…

Hers.

Originally Posted by vifferman

Also, do not use any of those wheel cleaners that say they'll protect the wheels from brake dust; most contain silicon or similar, and coat your tyres.

Lots of cleaning products contain silicon, I avoid those that do. It’s got some useful qualities for shining and protecting things but if you ever want to paint anything that's been within a short parsec of silicon you're in for trouble.

**James Deuce** · 23rd August 2008, 17:45

Originally Posted by Ocean1

The dirt word: mix some fabric softener, (yup) and water in a squirty bottle and spray the bike all over, repeat 10 min later, then break out the sponge or soft brush. Don't ask, it just works.

Blimey, it works!

I also used WD40 to clean up the front of the engine.

The coolest thing is I used about half a Mr Muscle squirt bottle of Fabric Softener solution, and maybe half a bucket of water! Very green way to clean the bike.

Three thumbs up!

**Ocean1** · 23rd August 2008, 18:59

Originally Posted by James Deuce

Blimey, it works!

Give me BLING you tight bastard.

**98tls** · 23rd August 2008, 19:15

When finished cleaning etc i always give my old girl a liberal spraying with silicone 808,awsome stuff,makes everything look new and great for stopping crap sticking to your bike,awhile back it was at the bike shop for the weekend and the following week a mate of mine went to an engineering shop in town,the owner an older motorcyclist had been into the bike shop and set about telling my mate about "the new TLS down at the bike shop"lol.