Washing bike

[DaveMcC1967]

Hi - daft newbie question alert!

What products should I use to wash my bike given the general spray of oil off the chain onto the rear wheel, swingarm etc? I'm guessing normal car shampoo and a sponge is just going to end up with a very oily sponge!

I have a pressure washer if that makes a difference/helps.

Cheers
Dave

[Gunk]

I use a bit of brake cleaner on a rag to get rid of the chain spray. Rest of the bike I tend to use a strong mix of car wash and hot water and then leather it off.

[trickywoo]

Am I in the matrix?

What didn't you like about the replies to your first thread?

[cmaguire]

I would always start with the wheels and chain lube bits. You can buy bike cleaning detergents (Muc-Off etc) but spraying kitchen towel with WD40 and using that works fine and leaves a shine. When those bits are done I would use a pump spray for getting rid of the squashed flies on the front of the bike as they may need some direct attention as they are a pain in the arse to remove if baked on.
After that I'd get the hose out, wet the bike, and shampoo/clean with a sponge. Then dry off with a towel.
I wouldn't go near it with a pressure washer unless it is a motocrosser. They just bugger things up.

[DaveMcC1967]

No idea what a second thread has appeared..... Thanks for all of the responses (to both threads 😳).

[Prof Prolapse]

The trick is a bit of sharp sand in a bucket of brine.

[Löyly]

Yes, avoid the pressure washer, even if you're 10ft away and just blowing mist. I prefer to wash the bike by hand with a bucket and sponge, and then towel it down afterwards. That way, I know I'll never end up with water in the important bits (remember, the ability to shrug off some rain is not the same as 3 gallons a minute from a garden hose or a high pressure jet).

[bogie]

I try not to get it too wet...spray on Motul wheel cleaner for wheels if they are bad otherwise just a Vulcanet wipe, then polish off after.

If you have no choice because its a daily all weather commuter, it matters not. Spray with ACF50 and wash with usual car wash stuff when its really bad a few times a year.

[catso]

I use WD40 to clean the rear wheel, does the job and I've always got plenty of it.

[DanSI]

If I don't fancy to "wet wash" my bike (because 95% of the time its just dusty / not riding through the rain), can I use a wetted/damp microfiber cloth to wipe the bike over, while spraying also with one of the spray products on the market... Any advice on which product to use?

[Biker 1]

DanSI said:

If I don't fancy to "wet wash" my bike (because 95% of the time its just dusty / not riding through the rain), can I use a wetted/damp microfiber cloth to wipe the bike over, while spraying also with one of the spray products on the market... Any advice on which product to use?

Damp microfibre cloth. Soak all flies before gently scrubbing them. Use WD40 silicone shine for plastics/headlight/fork dust seals etc & regular WD40 for engine/wheels. So 3 cloths total....

[Gunk]

I use a trigger spray glass cleaner and kitchen towel to get the flys off and give it a quick clean, works on the helmet visor as well.

[CaptainMorgan]

Depends how far you want to go, a basic kit would be some motorcycle cleaner and brushes for the grubby bits and then use a car shampoo and a wash mitt for the rest.

[bogie]

DanSI said:

If I don't fancy to "wet wash" my bike (because 95% of the time its just dusty / not riding through the rain), can I use a wetted/damp microfiber cloth to wipe the bike over, while spraying also with one of the spray products on the market... Any advice on which product to use?

Vulcanet.

Once tried you wont bother anything else...honest, its only £30 for like a years supply so worth a try. I was dismissive of such "dry cleaning" until I tried it. Now I use it 95% of the time, my bike may get a full wet wash once a year.

For £30 you get a tub of large damp wipes and a microfibre cloth. The wipes have cleaning agent and polish built in, so you wipe/rub the bugs off and leave polish to dry. Few mins later go over it with microfibre and its like you just waxed it. Works great, 10 mins after a ride, job done.

Of course if you have ridden home 2 hours in torrential rain mid winter and the bike is covered in grit, its bucket of water and hose pipe time as normal .....

[moanthebairns]

I washed mines tonight. I hate washing bikes.

[Wedg1e]

moanthebairns said:

I washed mines tonight. I hate washing bikes.

Try cleaning a Pan Euro: it's like the Karate Kid meets the Queen Mary

[david mcc]

Personally I don't mind using a pressure washer on the bike. I don't go mental with it though and avoid spraying into electrical areas directly. Been doing it on various bikes for 13 years and it's never caused an issue.

Weekly wash is spray with snow foam or pre wash, use brushes and mitts to clean and then rinse off. Occasionally give it a polish.

Mine is shaft drive so no oily chain needing cleaned