Cleaning Your Bike

OneDirtyMXRider
Edited Date/Time 1/27/2012 12:18pm
What do you guys use to get your bikes "Looking New" again? I use purple power and some brush's. Just was wondering what you guys use? I also was wondering if purple power will damage any metal on my bike, like my excel rims?
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mx5471
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mx5471 10/27/2011 6:22pm
10/27/2011 6:22pm
They only look new when you buy them, or if you don't ride them. Every bike I bought for my son, I said, " take a picture,and then kick it off the stand" , because it will never look like that again. The kids laughed because the bike didn't look good, but some of the pro riders said, "it's because he rides it". The guy that was washing Chad Reed's bike at Unadilla said he uses Mr. Clean diluted half and half with water. He used a scotchbrite pad on the swingarm and frame. Purple and Simple Green undiluted could cause damage unless rinsed off completely. Clean it up nice, but it'll never look new again.
burba437
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burba437 10/27/2011 11:18pm
10/27/2011 11:18pm
i used purple power and brushes and i can ussaully getting the bike looking decent and i dont think it damages the metal atleast i havent noticed
lumpy790
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lumpy790 10/28/2011 7:14am
10/28/2011 7:14am
Back in the day.......I used Palmolive dish soap and soft long bristle brushes.....now I use simple green & a pressure washer on the lowest setting.
mxtech1
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mxtech1 10/28/2011 7:37am
10/28/2011 7:37am
Simple green is the best way to go. Buy the concentrate and mix it 50/50 with water to make it stronger than the premixed bottles you buy. spray off all the mud first before you apply the cleaner and then let it "soak" for 2-3 minutes so it can penetrate before you do a final rinse. There are some other cleaner concentrates out there for automotive use than can damage the anodizing and raw aluminum so be careful with those. When I was a mechanic for a rider he gave me some cleaner in a bottle and told me thats what his dad always used. He didn't tell me it was unmixed concentrate. I sprayed it on the bike and it actually pitted the coatings on his A kit suspension :o

For the frame you need to use green scotch brite. If you do it everytime you wash you can actually keep a bike looking like new. Invest in a Grunge brush for the chain, they work really good. Periodically, I will remove the chain from the bike and soak it in solvent overnight. The solvent pentrates and loosens up the crud and keeps the pins clean. This really extends the life of the chain. Always lay the bike on its side so you can get a better shot at the underside of the bike. Use soft bristle brushes for the hard to reach spots, wheels, spokes, hubs, etc.

Another good tip is to hand wash your bike with a wash mitt. Power-washers work good, but they can still leave a haze embedded in the plastics, seat, and porous metals. A good rub with a was mitt and Dawn dish soap really brings back the shine and provides a great clean. Always try avoid power washing whenever possible. Unless the bike is caked in mud, it can usually be cleaned with a garden hose with a spray nozzled and hand washing. The power washer is very hard on bearings and seals and I don't recommend using them unless needed.

After washing blow dry the bike an air compressor or leaf blower. Start the bike to allow the engine heat to evaporate the moisture. wipe the plastic down with a microfiber and apply some plastic protectant to increase the shine. Oil the chain. Spin the wheels and apply the brakes several times to remove any mositure left in the brake calipers.

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OneDirtyMXRider 10/28/2011 11:57am
10/28/2011 11:57am
Thanks for the Replies, and +1 on the grundge brush. I have one of those, and it really does a great job and saves you from alot of work. It also preserves the life of the chain.
rmgsxr
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rmgsxr 10/29/2011 10:47am
10/29/2011 10:47am
Best by far is Suzuki Wash. That stuff is amazing. One problem, its expensive. You can't beat it though.
Erick
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Erick 10/30/2011 7:26am
10/30/2011 7:26am
mxtech1 wrote:
Simple green is the best way to go. Buy the concentrate and mix it 50/50 with water to make it stronger than the premixed bottles you...
Simple green is the best way to go. Buy the concentrate and mix it 50/50 with water to make it stronger than the premixed bottles you buy. spray off all the mud first before you apply the cleaner and then let it "soak" for 2-3 minutes so it can penetrate before you do a final rinse. There are some other cleaner concentrates out there for automotive use than can damage the anodizing and raw aluminum so be careful with those. When I was a mechanic for a rider he gave me some cleaner in a bottle and told me thats what his dad always used. He didn't tell me it was unmixed concentrate. I sprayed it on the bike and it actually pitted the coatings on his A kit suspension :o

For the frame you need to use green scotch brite. If you do it everytime you wash you can actually keep a bike looking like new. Invest in a Grunge brush for the chain, they work really good. Periodically, I will remove the chain from the bike and soak it in solvent overnight. The solvent pentrates and loosens up the crud and keeps the pins clean. This really extends the life of the chain. Always lay the bike on its side so you can get a better shot at the underside of the bike. Use soft bristle brushes for the hard to reach spots, wheels, spokes, hubs, etc.

Another good tip is to hand wash your bike with a wash mitt. Power-washers work good, but they can still leave a haze embedded in the plastics, seat, and porous metals. A good rub with a was mitt and Dawn dish soap really brings back the shine and provides a great clean. Always try avoid power washing whenever possible. Unless the bike is caked in mud, it can usually be cleaned with a garden hose with a spray nozzled and hand washing. The power washer is very hard on bearings and seals and I don't recommend using them unless needed.

After washing blow dry the bike an air compressor or leaf blower. Start the bike to allow the engine heat to evaporate the moisture. wipe the plastic down with a microfiber and apply some plastic protectant to increase the shine. Oil the chain. Spin the wheels and apply the brakes several times to remove any mositure left in the brake calipers.
Thank you for this detailed post Cool

How do you guys clean your airbox? Do you do it everytime you wash your bike?

I have problems with it because I usually put too much oil in my air filter so it drips out (I am afraid that I don't put enough oil in). Now my airbox becomes saturated with mud and grease.
Cygnus
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Cygnus 10/30/2011 7:59am
10/30/2011 7:59am Edited Date/Time 10/30/2011 8:02am
After you are done with the washing use some Honda bike polish
CamP
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CamP 10/30/2011 9:03am
10/30/2011 9:03am
Erick wrote:
Thank you for this detailed post B) How do you guys clean your airbox? Do you do it everytime you wash your bike? I have problems...
Thank you for this detailed post Cool

How do you guys clean your airbox? Do you do it everytime you wash your bike?

I have problems with it because I usually put too much oil in my air filter so it drips out (I am afraid that I don't put enough oil in). Now my airbox becomes saturated with mud and grease.
I remove and clean the airbox every time I service the filter. That is the only way to be certain that not a single grain of sand gets in your engine. WD40 is an excellent filter oil solvent so I spray the inside of the airbox with WD40, wait about 10 minutes for it to soak into the greasy spots, then spray the entire airbox with Shout Satin Remover and allow that to soak for about 5 more minutes. After that, you just hose off the airbox with water and it will be left spotless. No scrubbing is required.

BTW, I used Simple Green for about 15 years before someone turned me onto Shout as a bike wash. Needles to say, I don't use Simple Green anymore.
Erick
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Erick 10/30/2011 9:56am
10/30/2011 9:56am
CamP wrote:
I remove and clean the airbox every time I service the filter. That is the only way to be certain that not a single grain of...
I remove and clean the airbox every time I service the filter. That is the only way to be certain that not a single grain of sand gets in your engine. WD40 is an excellent filter oil solvent so I spray the inside of the airbox with WD40, wait about 10 minutes for it to soak into the greasy spots, then spray the entire airbox with Shout Satin Remover and allow that to soak for about 5 more minutes. After that, you just hose off the airbox with water and it will be left spotless. No scrubbing is required.

BTW, I used Simple Green for about 15 years before someone turned me onto Shout as a bike wash. Needles to say, I don't use Simple Green anymore.
Thanks for the tip, I will try this next time Cool

Do you happen to use Twin Air Bio air fitler oil?
CamP
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CamP 10/30/2011 12:05pm
10/30/2011 12:05pm Edited Date/Time 10/30/2011 12:06pm
Erick wrote:
Thanks for the tip, I will try this next time Cool

Do you happen to use Twin Air Bio air fitler oil?
No, I use Maxima FFT. I've also used Motorex and Belray filter oils in the past and they are also excellent.
kippy450
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kippy450 10/30/2011 3:47pm
10/30/2011 3:47pm
I found using "Spray and Wash" or Shout. I works great on grease and on the chain. Spray it on and leave it for 5min. then wash off. It safe for the bike since its ment for clothing. If it is really dirty and second spray might be needed. I found it works best when your bike is dusty and not super muddy. It makes the bike look new. I got it from motocross 101 book.
TeamPropainTurbo38t 10/30/2011 4:46pm
10/30/2011 4:46pm
kippy450 wrote:
I found using "Spray and Wash" or Shout. I works great on grease and on the chain. Spray it on and leave it for 5min. then...
I found using "Spray and Wash" or Shout. I works great on grease and on the chain. Spray it on and leave it for 5min. then wash off. It safe for the bike since its ment for clothing. If it is really dirty and second spray might be needed. I found it works best when your bike is dusty and not super muddy. It makes the bike look new. I got it from motocross 101 book.
I use the purple stuff from Walmart. I diute it about 10:1 so it doesn't harm the frame. I pressure wash the whole bike first to remover dirt. I use an FMF airbox cover also. I then apply the degreaser and by the time I finish spraying the whole bike I pressure wash it again. I do not let it sit. I then use a maroon scothbrite on the frame, kickstarter, brake lever and pipe. I then soak the chain and any spots that soot/grease may remain with degreaser and use a nylon scrub brush to clean them. One last rinse of the whole bike and that's it......towel dry and then wd-40 on chain, motor and pipe.....Liquid Wrench silicone spray on everything else and wipe down everything with a towel. Once or twice a year I will take my pipe off and "pretty it up". I use wd40 and a wire wheel to clean the "pickle" or dark spots off all the welds, then I scoth brite the whole thing with wd-40 then I use oo or ooo steel wool with wd40 and wipe it clean afterwards. Sometimes I'll take a MAPP torch and ad some "color" to the pipe.....just for looks...Turbo
kippy450
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kippy450 10/30/2011 6:01pm
10/30/2011 6:01pm
kippy450 wrote:
I found using "Spray and Wash" or Shout. I works great on grease and on the chain. Spray it on and leave it for 5min. then...
I found using "Spray and Wash" or Shout. I works great on grease and on the chain. Spray it on and leave it for 5min. then wash off. It safe for the bike since its ment for clothing. If it is really dirty and second spray might be needed. I found it works best when your bike is dusty and not super muddy. It makes the bike look new. I got it from motocross 101 book.
TeamPropainTurbo38t wrote:
I use the purple stuff from Walmart. I diute it about 10:1 so it doesn't harm the frame. I pressure wash the whole bike first to...
I use the purple stuff from Walmart. I diute it about 10:1 so it doesn't harm the frame. I pressure wash the whole bike first to remover dirt. I use an FMF airbox cover also. I then apply the degreaser and by the time I finish spraying the whole bike I pressure wash it again. I do not let it sit. I then use a maroon scothbrite on the frame, kickstarter, brake lever and pipe. I then soak the chain and any spots that soot/grease may remain with degreaser and use a nylon scrub brush to clean them. One last rinse of the whole bike and that's it......towel dry and then wd-40 on chain, motor and pipe.....Liquid Wrench silicone spray on everything else and wipe down everything with a towel. Once or twice a year I will take my pipe off and "pretty it up". I use wd40 and a wire wheel to clean the "pickle" or dark spots off all the welds, then I scoth brite the whole thing with wd-40 then I use oo or ooo steel wool with wd40 and wipe it clean afterwards. Sometimes I'll take a MAPP torch and ad some "color" to the pipe.....just for looks...Turbo
Whole cow....that thing must spackle! How long does each washing take and what kinda of colors do you get with the torch? I don't use a pressure washer because I don't like what it does to the suspension components, though its faster. The book I got the spray and wash from said to use instead of pressure spray..it cleans and makes things shine (plus its cheap) but it takes longer then a sprayer. I use simple green and a brush when it muddy. I use the same silicone spray as you but I can't stand the smell.
Dnlp D952
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Dnlp D952 10/30/2011 9:13pm
10/30/2011 9:13pm
Simple Green, some mild dish washing liquid, scothbrite, Goof off, compressed air, and SC-1...The key is to never let the bike get filthy when new without washing it after every ride and replace all scratched up shit when needed,..My bike is 10 years old but you couldn't tell...
OneDirtyMXRider 11/2/2011 3:52pm
11/2/2011 3:52pm
Isn't There like a spray that you spray on your bike and it helps repel dirt and mud.

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