Cleaning your ride

I use a pressure washer with one of those attached bottles that I fill with dish washing detergent. I use Shellite for cleaning metal or big buildups of grease and gunk. Recently I made the mistake of leaving some degreaser on the bike too long and ended up with some oxidation on some of the shiny bits. By accident I found that if I spray my chain lube over it it brings it back to the original finish.

 

As a rule I use 4 to 5 cans of degreaser from Supercheap to get years of junk out of the way. Then out with Gerni to clean off.
Once the bike is clean I tend to use a little car wash to clean off the road grime.
I use Mothers Carnauba wax.... great results. Silvo is used for mirrors and some chrome bits.
Purple metal polish and when I run out always have a tube of Autosol in the cabinet.
Plastics... follow Murdo's lead and use Dubbins, amazing results.

 

I use WD-40 in a spray bottle for grime and gunk (so much cheaper than aerosol cans) and CT-18 to wash stuff. I usually mix 100:1 for general washing but adjust the ratio using the eyeometer depending on what I'm doing. And I used dirt bike engine oil (practically new) to clean chains with a tooth brush. final finish with turtle wax on paintwork. I never have used a pressure washer on my road bikes but occasionally on dirt bikes (especially if muddy). Never use tire shine on road tyres but I'm sure you know that.

 

I use regular car wash to get most of it off, then i use a motul shine and go


Dont use tyre shine in a motorbike.

 

Be careful with hose and that doesn't mix well with electrics

 

Finally something i'm useful for, If anyone has any queeries tag me or Message me as i'm a detailer by trade, and all too happy to help

Also, don't Use posihes with abrasives on Chrome
put your polish between your fingers and rub to feel for any harsh grit. Otherwise you'll scratch up your precious chrome work more and more untill it goes hazy

 

Mate, you've been holding out on us. Time permitting you should share some of the details of your trade on the Forum. Feel certain that would be well received by all members. The "do's and don'ts" would be great....give it some thought

 

CT-18 a sponge and my pressure washer

 

It may not be a problem using a pressure cleaner on a modern bike, but back in the 70's some friends of mine discovered there was a downside to using a steam cleaner or pressure cleaner to remove the oiled dirt that was deposited around the engine when racing on short circuit tracks.

Some of the seals were designed to keep the oil in rather than keeping water out. The pressure cleaner and more particularly the steam cleaner was able to force water and presumably dirt in past the seals.

Maybe seals have improved since the 1970s or maybe seals are not as exposed as they were on scramblers and enduro bikes back then.

 

This is the exact reason why I don't normally use a pressure washer. And if I do, I never aim the gun near seals or gaskets at close range. Pretty much, if you can't put your hand in front of the nozzle at the distance you have the gun from your engine, then it's probably too close. Same goes for fork seals (on convention forks), wheel bearings etc. Even an o-ring chain needs to be spared from the wrath of a pressure washer.

 

@Phil
I wouldn't know where to start mate, but more than happy to answer any questions.
I mostly clean harleys, (aka massive ***** to clean).
But it all carries over, I could do a bike wash write up? Maybe pin a post, "how do i clean this" Which i'd be happy to look after?

 

@Moo @KICKERMAN360 @Allan
Yeah, be gentle with the pressure washers,
1. Hose
2.Car wash
3. Rinse
4. Shammy, or leaf blower and shammy
Leaf blowers are so handy

 

Thanks for your reply
Think Murdo makes a very valid point, perhaps we should peruse the realm of "What not to do" to your bike whilst cleaning it.
We all have things...(products) that we use but perhaps shouldn't be. Also some insight into what the PRO's use might be handy.

 

Haha, "Pro" As far as i'm concerned i'm a dumbass with a rag XD ,Cheers though

I'd know even less about what to write in the not to do section.
I can make some product reccomendations, but i know how to clean effect materials and how to get different effects from different products, eg , autosol metal live saver on alloy will dull it if you like the look of flat coloured alloy like me

 

Want me to make a post? somewhere? where? What would you all like to see?

 

i spray with degreaser then use dishwashing liquid in hot water and a sponge and if difficult a soft dish washing brush/ sponge off and let air dry.