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

[trickywoo]

Everyone has their favourite but I like SDOC100. Its pricey but does a great job.

Alternative is to use a degreaser on the greasy bits and normal shampoo elsewhere. Two sponges is a good idea. Power washer not a good idea.

[lindrup119]

For a full clean, you'd want to use a degreaser on the chain first. Then you can do your regular wash with the usual products. Then reapply some lube to the chain once the bike has dried off.

That's what I do anyway. Or at least that's what I say I'll do. I only ever do a half-arsed job of washing it.

[sjtscott]

Gunk to degrease stuff/remove like chain lube.
Use a prewash dirt remover like muc-off/castrol greentec or autoglym bike clearner. To take the worst of the traffic film/dirt off with the jet wash.
Separate dirty part of the bike from cleaner bodywork upper.. use different sponges .. yes multiple!
I use standard car shampoo works fine
Wheels/Swingarm/Forks/Radiator areas generally require the most work.

Try not to power spray the electical parts of the engine too much too Bikes however are pretty waterproof now a days lol

This take my bike to the level of clean suitable for myself with daily year round daily commuting.

The OCD lot will be along to tell you about detailing full dismantles to get to everything etc etc LOL

Edited by sjtscott on Tuesday 23 August 14:38

[Mr OCD]

The trick is not to let the bike get too dirty in the first place... if it does then a proper strip and clean is the best way initially then just regular cleaning.

- SDOC100 or similar for the oily stuff
- a good quality wash mitt and car shampoo for the rest
- some wheel woollies (help get into all the bits you cant reach

Spend some time washing everything you can see... suspension linkage, inside of swing arm, disk bobbins, etc... all makes a difference. Don't just wash the plastic panels as most people seem to do...

Jet washes are absolutely fine - use some common sense though yeah?

ACF50 any bare metal.

A proper deep clean and dry (without dismantling) will take me 2-3 hours... a general clean is approx. an hour.

(don't forget to dry and lube the chain)

Edited by Mr OCD on Tuesday 23 August 14:37

[Fleegle]

Mr OCD said:

A proper deep clean and dry (without dismantling) will take me 2-3 hours... a general clean is approx. an hour.

A general clean will take me approx. 15 mins at least twice a year.


Whether it needs it or not

[Dakkon]

Surely washing the bike is just like sex with the girlfriend, give it a squirt and wipe off on the curtains, off you go job done in five mins

[tom_e]

Dakkon said:

Surely washing the bike is just like sex with the girlfriend, give it a squirt and wipe off on the curtains, off you go job done in five mins

I wish I had a girlfriend that was as dirty as my bike is right now.

[Ki3r]

Dakkon said:

Surely washing the bike is just like sex with the girlfriend, give it a squirt and wipe off on the curtains, off you go job done in five mins

Alright no need to brag about being able to last five minutes!

[Wedg1e]

I just put my waterproofs on and ride through a carwash.








Maybe.

[Wedg1e]

tom_e said:

I wish I had a girlfriend that was as dirty as my bike is right now.

I had no complaints with her

[DanSI]

Mr OCD said:

The trick is not to let the bike get too dirty in the first place... if it does then a proper strip and clean is the best way initially then just regular cleaning.

THIS ^. 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?

[Mr OCD]

DanSI said:

THIS ^. 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?

Sonus BSD is a good cheap all-rounder.

[Mr OCD]

Fleegle said:

A general clean will take me approx. 15 mins at least twice a year.


Whether it needs it or not

I said 'proper'. Tit.

[tight5]

Mr OCD said:

(don't forget to dry and lube the chain)

Unless it's a shaftie !

[DanSI]

Mr OCD said:

I said 'proper'. Tit.

Thanks for the Sonax Brilliant Shine Detailer. I will check that out!

Regarding the above - I see that on ALMOST every thread on pistonheads. Somebody states they have something, can do something, paid something.... then there will ALWAYS be one, who posts up what they have, which will always be more expensive, faster, more powerful, quicker, blah blah - obviously these individuals have little d1cks and NEED a fast car/bike to out-do everyone else on the road (in their head at least), in order to feel a sense of karma. lol.

[m9rko]

For me...

Flies = bug and tar remover + microfiber cloth
Bodywork = GT85 + microfiber cloth
Exhaust, frame, swinger, wheels, other metal bits etc = WD40 + microfiber cloth
Brakes = Wurth brake cleaner + microfiber cloth
Chain = WD40 sprayed onto microfiber cloth (then lubed after)

Keep cloths for separate tasks separate! So you don't end up cleaning your brake discs with an oily cloth.

So basically a big pack of microfiber cloths, WD40, GT85, brake cleaner and bug & tar remover will have any bike 100% immaculate. No water needed at any point.

[ooo000ooo]

Fleegle said:

A general clean will take me approx. 15 mins at least twice a year.


Whether it needs it or not

You MOT your bike twice a year?

[Mr OCD]

m9rko said:

For me...

Flies = bug and tar remover + microfiber cloth
Bodywork = GT85 + microfiber cloth
Exhaust, frame, swinger, wheels, other metal bits etc = WD40 + microfiber cloth
Brakes = Wurth brake cleaner + microfiber cloth
Chain = WD40 sprayed onto microfiber cloth (then lubed after)

Keep cloths for separate tasks separate! So you don't end up cleaning your brake discs with an oily cloth.

So basically a big pack of microfiber cloths, WD40, GT85, brake cleaner and bug & tar remover will have any bike 100% immaculate. No water needed at any point.

Fair weather rider only I would suggest...

[Mr OCD]

DanSI said:

Thanks for the Sonax Brilliant Shine Detailer. I will check that out!

Regarding the above - I see that on ALMOST every thread on pistonheads. Somebody states they have something, can do something, paid something.... then there will ALWAYS be one, who posts up what they have, which will always be more expensive, faster, more powerful, quicker, blah blah - obviously these individuals have little d1cks and NEED a fast car/bike to out-do everyone else on the road (in their head at least), in order to feel a sense of karma. lol.

It's a good detailer spray... the GTechniq quick detail is pretty good as well but more pricey.

Ignore Tony. He just likes to see if I bite ... he is a good gent really. Just a bit grumpy being an old fart