YamahaWolf Posted August 29, 2009 Share Posted August 29, 2009 Can anyone give me any tips and advice on how to keep the bike clean, the products that you use how often you clean. Any advice would be much appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mojobanana Posted August 29, 2009 Share Posted August 29, 2009 I've started using Muc-Off products, they work quite well. After using the bike cleaner (douse the bike in water then spray that stuff all over it and clean with a sponge) I've coated my bike in Bike Protector which stinks but it makes the bike nice and shiny Gotta make sure you don't get it on the brake discs though. You can get it in Halfords and can be a bit pricey, but I just got paid so I've shelled out £20 or so on a few products. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted August 29, 2009 Share Posted August 29, 2009 Yeah I like muc-off as well. Failing that just use any old car shampoo, but definitely not washing up liquid.Don't use a pressure washer either unless it's on the fairings and only if you've taken them off. Some people do but I don't take the risk of forcing water into places it shouldn't go. Use a citrus-based degreaser to get all the sh1t off like grease and black crap that gathers around the side stand, etc.Dry with a chamois leather, a cheap one from Tesco will do. Then put some wax on. Again Tesco have a deal on the Simoniz products - buy 2 things for 4 quid or something. The spray on wax is good and won't leave white crap all over your black bits Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Posted August 29, 2009 Share Posted August 29, 2009 spend a good few hours cleaning properly like suggested above and after a while it will take only a quick wash for the bike to look amazing because it wont be that dirty and the worst of the muck has gone and only a light film is covering the bike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 29, 2009 Share Posted August 29, 2009 If ya want cheap alternatives, then a mild hand soap does the job quite nicely.Rinse bike from bottom up, appply soap with soft sponge or cloth, being careful not to scratch bodywork, and then rinse from top down.Simples !!ps, you need elbow grease. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 29, 2009 Share Posted August 29, 2009 I did that too Dan,tiny squirt of washing up liquid in bowl, and had a bowl of normal water as well and dunked the sponge in that too so it didn't make the bike too soapy. Then rinse down, then a wipe with some leather and window cleaner for the shiny bits Worked a treat ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 29, 2009 Share Posted August 29, 2009 washing up liquid is a no no. Contains stuff which can damage the plastics etc. Mild hand soap though is a different story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mojobanana Posted August 29, 2009 Share Posted August 29, 2009 I'd been using washing up liquid... won't any more!Besides, got me muc-off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urbanmark Posted August 29, 2009 Share Posted August 29, 2009 Ive heard washing up liquid can flatten the paint, but my bikes matt black so I use it. Ive tried other cleaning products like muc off and halfords own stuff but it always leaves streaks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bogof Posted August 29, 2009 Share Posted August 29, 2009 tiny squirt of washing up liquid in bowl, and had a bowl of normal water as well and dunked the sponge in that too so it didn't make the bike too soapy. Not washing up liquid, it damages the paint finish http://www.eforecourt.com/carcare.htmOn a brighter note, the best polish I ever found for car (works equally well on a bike) is Mer. Halfords now sell it and it's really easy to use, even when the vehicle is wet! http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... &langId=-1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest akey Posted August 29, 2009 Share Posted August 29, 2009 Here are mine,Over winter use FS365 to protect from corrosionI wash my bike most weekends, but then i do a fair amount of miles during the week. quick wash - muc-off then rinse, and I do use a pressure washer, its perfectly safe as long as you dont go mad and point the jet close to wheel bearing etc, or put the nozzle right next to decals etc, but with a bit of common sense they are fine (ride did a guide to using them a few months back)full wash - I use muc-off to remove stubbon dirt etc, then wash the bike with auto-glym shampoo, rinse well and use parrafin on any really stubbon oil or grease on the back wheel or the chain. Chamois down the bike and leave to dry then I use muc-off miricle shine on all the paint work - or auto-glym resin polish if I am out of muc-off. I then use either gt-85, wd-40 or muc-off bike spray to lube those little bits like leaver pivots on the handlebars or stand pivots etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin the Bear Posted August 29, 2009 Share Posted August 29, 2009 Any cheap hair shampoo for general washing. (Detergent free.)Asda smart price multi purpose cleaner for greasy bits. One cap in a bucket of water.Both applied with a large sponge and rinsed well. Cheap synthetic bathsponges will push into nooks and crannies and can be discarded. A washing up brush for spokes.Autosol and electric tooth brush for tarnished metal.Mr sheen to finish off. Then apply cheap sunglasses to avoid blindness from shine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 29, 2009 Share Posted August 29, 2009 I'd been using washing up liquid... won't any more!Besides, got me muc-off Same !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiggleit Posted August 29, 2009 Share Posted August 29, 2009 Autosol and electric tooth brush for tarnished metal. Thats brill - electric toothbrush - wish I'd thought of that last week when I was sprucing up the exhaust would've saved a heap of elbow grease Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 wet the bike, (when cold.. not straight after a ride), then wash with Car wash/bike wash i use a sheepskin mitt, fits like a glove and doesn't break up like a sponge, then rinse off.and Dan has posted that Screenwash (Diluted) in a spray bottle sprayed at the front will remove flies with ease.. wet, leave then wash the rest of the bike and they will come off as you sponge over the area.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 If you want to get obsessive about cleaning your bike take a look at the link below, mainly car enthusiasts but several members have bikes.The showroom and the studio parts of the forum well worth a read http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/Rob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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