Bike Cleaning For Best Results

ericgst
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ericgst 5/19/2022 1:47pm
5/19/2022 1:47pm
I also do not like Shout, it doesn’t work that well at any mixture. Maybe I don’t leave it soaking long enough but I don’t want to have to wait too long either.

I use simple green 50/50 and a 1700psi electric pressure washer.

Pressure wash all the heavy dirt/mud off and leave the bike wet. - 2mins
Spray 50/50 mix of simple green everywhere. - 2mins
Let soak. - 2mins
Pressure wash all surfaces starting at the top, include chain - 4 mins
Dry with Dewalt 60v blower - 1min
Run bike - 1 min
Do not spray any silly shiny/slippery stuff on it - 0 mins

Lube chain after it has time to completely dry/during pre-ride prep
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Pirate421
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Pirate421 5/21/2022 8:43am
5/21/2022 8:43am
I know it’s a little more expensive but I have really come to like muc off. I swear it give the bike an extra bright and shiny finish. I also use it on my mtn bike. Can order the concentrated mix or the powder packets and make 4 liters of it. Just like using a decent oil I think the finish of my bikes parts are just as important as what it looks like on the inside.

Have buddies that use simple green and even if it doesn’t totally strip the anodizing it 100% leaves the finish more dull than if it was a more milder cleaner. Plus I’ve always been told not to use a degreaser as a bike wash since it could potentially degrade the grease you want to stay like headset and linkages. Not sure how true that is but it’s what I’ve always believed.
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Yzf916
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Yzf916 5/21/2022 5:59pm
5/21/2022 5:59pm
Simple Green 50/50. Used for 15yrs. Never a problem. Tried Shout after recommended here. Nowhere near as good as Simple Green at 50/50. Not even close. Never have to put a brush to the bike. Spray heavy dirt off. Simple green. By the time I spray whole bike, start hiding off. Best looking bike at the track. My bikes are IMMACULATE.
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Sandusky26
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Sandusky26 5/23/2022 4:10am
5/23/2022 4:10am
Put your bike in the sun. Spray simple green on one fork and shout on the other and leave it. Let us know the results.

Shout works better with dawn dish soap.
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OCgoon1533
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OCgoon1533 5/23/2022 10:48am
5/23/2022 10:48am
Not sure about the effects of Mr clean on anodized parts but I wasn't that impressed with it compared to shout as far as cleaning power goes.
Luke_Richards 5/23/2022 4:38pm
5/23/2022 4:38pm
MXer391 wrote:
Remove air filter and put cover on. Plug exhaust. Power wash (with lowest pressure nozzle) the heavy, caked on stuff. Spray entire bike down with Shout...
Remove air filter and put cover on.
Plug exhaust.
Power wash (with lowest pressure nozzle) the heavy, caked on stuff.
Spray entire bike down with Shout (Scrubbing bubbles works too),
Get beer and take a few swigs (most important step)
Rinse bike off
Hit it with the leaf blower or compressed air.
Take the seat off and lean it up against a wall or something and let the water run out of the foam.
Put clean air filter
Unplug exhaust
Fire bike up and let it run for a little bit
Lube chain and pivot points
Finish beer and get another one
The post ride beer is the best beer
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SPYGUY
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SPYGUY 5/23/2022 9:12pm
5/23/2022 9:12pm
Anything specific to look for on MSDS sheets to clue us in on whether or not a cleaner will be safe for aluminum / anodizing?

I used to be a Simple Green guy but switched to LA's Totally Awesome which can be found dirt cheap at Dollar General and does a good job.. I've also recently used Formula 88 at Home Depot. I worry about the aluminum etching that many of you mention, however.


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Tracktor
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Tracktor 5/25/2022 9:44am
5/25/2022 9:44am Edited Date/Time 5/25/2022 9:52am
SPYGUY wrote:
Anything specific to look for on MSDS sheets to clue us in on whether or not a cleaner will be safe for aluminum / anodizing? I...
Anything specific to look for on MSDS sheets to clue us in on whether or not a cleaner will be safe for aluminum / anodizing?

I used to be a Simple Green guy but switched to LA's Totally Awesome which can be found dirt cheap at Dollar General and does a good job.. I've also recently used Formula 88 at Home Depot. I worry about the aluminum etching that many of you mention, however.


LA'S Totally Awesome is the shit. A guy on Wakeworld did a chemical analysis of it years ago for use in expensive wake boats. Was basically the same as Malco Professional detailer. I use that shit on everything..................

Test 0

http://www.wakeworld.com/forum/showthread.php?t=786614
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2Fmx
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2Fmx 5/26/2022 12:58am
5/26/2022 12:58am Edited Date/Time 5/26/2022 5:43am
You obviously know already what works and doesn't for you, but I'll just chip in a little how I do it.

I've spent quite some time on this matter also. Tried a lot of chemicals and different methods, but ended up with Muc-Off bike cleaner.

I hit the bike with pressure washer as soon as possible after getting home from a ride day. Do not let the dirt sit for too long! I spray all areas to get the bike as clean as possible with just the pressure (careful there). Once its all semi-cleaned from big junks of mud, I spray the bike with Much-Off bike cleaner as much as I can. Let it sit like 5-10 minutes.

I then use a soft brush (Maybe on some not so exposed areas use stronger brush) and brush all sprayed surfaces. Then pressure-wash the bike again. In about 8 out of 10 times, it gets rid off all dirt and the bike looks really good. If not, then repeat the Muc-Off and brush combo and wash again. There is something about Muc-Off bike cleaner that leaves the bike looking really nice. It looks like it has some wax, or some detailer (car enthusiasts know) solution in it. It leaves black matte plastic, tires, etc. looking really nice.

After that I usually hit it with compressed air and a towel. Towel is used just to get rid of all the water stains, as it can stain your aluminium pretty bad if not taken care of. What I do afterwards, I use SC1 or similar product on all spaces where you don't need to make contact with your bike while riding. Especially under the plastics and skid plate. This helps for future clean-ups as the dirt does not stick so hard to these "prepped" surfaces. I hit these areas hard with SC1 but then gently wipe off with some sort of cloth to not to be so sticky.

I know it sounds like a lot of work but really washing our 2 dirtbikes this way, isn't really as much hassle as it sounds.

Also, kids can help Wink
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Pirate421
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Pirate421 5/28/2022 5:04am
5/28/2022 5:04am
2Fmx wrote:
You obviously know already what works and doesn't for you, but I'll just chip in a little how I do it. I've spent quite some time...
You obviously know already what works and doesn't for you, but I'll just chip in a little how I do it.

I've spent quite some time on this matter also. Tried a lot of chemicals and different methods, but ended up with Muc-Off bike cleaner.

I hit the bike with pressure washer as soon as possible after getting home from a ride day. Do not let the dirt sit for too long! I spray all areas to get the bike as clean as possible with just the pressure (careful there). Once its all semi-cleaned from big junks of mud, I spray the bike with Much-Off bike cleaner as much as I can. Let it sit like 5-10 minutes.

I then use a soft brush (Maybe on some not so exposed areas use stronger brush) and brush all sprayed surfaces. Then pressure-wash the bike again. In about 8 out of 10 times, it gets rid off all dirt and the bike looks really good. If not, then repeat the Muc-Off and brush combo and wash again. There is something about Muc-Off bike cleaner that leaves the bike looking really nice. It looks like it has some wax, or some detailer (car enthusiasts know) solution in it. It leaves black matte plastic, tires, etc. looking really nice.

After that I usually hit it with compressed air and a towel. Towel is used just to get rid of all the water stains, as it can stain your aluminium pretty bad if not taken care of. What I do afterwards, I use SC1 or similar product on all spaces where you don't need to make contact with your bike while riding. Especially under the plastics and skid plate. This helps for future clean-ups as the dirt does not stick so hard to these "prepped" surfaces. I hit these areas hard with SC1 but then gently wipe off with some sort of cloth to not to be so sticky.

I know it sounds like a lot of work but really washing our 2 dirtbikes this way, isn't really as much hassle as it sounds.

Also, kids can help Wink
I was thinking the same thing after I started using muc off. It definitely makes the bike look slicker or shinier somehow. Not sure what’s in it but I’ve noticed it. The biggest test of all for ktms is the hubs. They will start to dull before anything else my hubs after 30 hrs and probably 25ish washes still look brand new and shiny.
jmc2
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jmc2 5/28/2022 8:41pm
5/28/2022 8:41pm
Good to see the comments with Muc-off. I picked up some of the bike wash and spray-on protectant/shine at the motorcycle expo in Las Vegas a few years back. I have used it a few times and it seemed to work pretty good. Picked up some more of the bike wash just recently. Probably need to use it more often.
bvm111
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bvm111 5/28/2022 9:58pm
5/28/2022 9:58pm
no one uses S100/Hondabrite anymore… it’s the OG and works awesome!
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murph783
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murph783 5/29/2022 5:35pm
5/29/2022 5:35pm
bvm111 wrote:
no one uses S100/Hondabrite anymore… it’s the OG and works awesome!
I stock S100 cause it’s definitely still got a cult following, lotta guys won’t use anything else. That and the Honda polish (now original spirits). The red guys really had their chemical game dialed.
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stone881
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stone881 6/2/2022 12:22pm
6/2/2022 12:22pm
sandman768 wrote:
I have been using simple green for years, I use a garden hose when I can to get most of the mud/sand off, then spray simple...
I have been using simple green for years, I use a garden hose when I can to get most of the mud/sand off, then spray simple green, wait a few mins, maybe scrub brush if needed, then rinse good… dry off with compressed air, oring safe lube on chain… I have never had an issue with the simple green on aluminum or anodized parts? I don’t let is sit on those parts very long… I don’t know, eventually all the bare aluminum & anodized parts seem to fade over time…
I second this
Leeham
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Leeham 6/4/2022 12:26am
6/4/2022 12:26am
Ive been using Simple Green mixed with my well water. Pre-soak bike with some water. Spray down the bike. Let it sit. Pressure wash. Fasteners and bolts look fine.

Perhaps some different minerals that are in some peoples water mixed with SG makes aluminum fade. City water or something I dunno. Just a thought
Whymee 6/4/2022 5:30am
6/4/2022 5:30am
Another Simple Green User here. Been addicted for over 30 years.

I have no intentions of "kicking the habit"...

Pit Row

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Kkawi
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Kkawi 6/6/2022 7:13am
6/6/2022 7:13am Edited Date/Time 6/6/2022 7:15am
Yesterday I rewashed my bike because it didn't look clean up close. I bought a big shout sprayer for $3.75, pre rinsed the bike then sprayed the whole bike down very liberally with shout, and cleaned the airbox with contact cleaner and my twin air box cleaner. Let the shout sit for a few minutes, contact cleaner the chain, then rinse and then shout the chain, then rinse the whole bike. Dry with compressed air. WD40 Chain and Header pipe. Then SC1
Bike looks better than new. Only thing I didn't do was polish the frame.

soggy
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soggy 6/9/2022 6:50pm
6/9/2022 6:50pm
This thread is worthless without pics
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ElliotB16
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ElliotB16 6/10/2022 4:48am
6/10/2022 4:48am
Mr clean works good, cheap, and is available at most stores


hog501
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hog501 6/21/2022 5:00pm
6/21/2022 5:00pm


From the HRC rig that all the mechanics work out of. Wondering if that's what they're using to clean the bikes
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DR743
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DR743 5/31/2023 6:11pm
5/31/2023 6:11pm

Comet, muriatic acid, blow torch for heavy mud,  gotta burn that mud off. then complete wire brush everything.  I prefer to use a drill with a wire wheel.  once that is all completed I like to fill the exhaust with water so at start up it spits the water out real fast, gets the inside of the exhaust clean.

Or, you can move to a state with low taxes and just trade it in when it gets dirty.  Smile

captmoto
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captmoto 6/2/2023 11:49am
6/2/2023 11:49am

I use undiluted Shout. I've used a little Dawn mixed with shout and didn't get the same result as straight Shout. Rinse with 1700 PSI pressure washer, spray Shout on wait 4-5 minutes, blast off with PW. I rarely scrub. Glen Helen dirt/mud is easy to clean. Elsinore is a different story. I may have to do a few spots over with that shit. 

I used one of these and still use them for other projects. I call them a poor mans pressure washer.

https://www.amazon.com/Bon-Aire-Original-Ultimate-Aluminum-Nozzle/dp/B0…

bpaderta
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bpaderta 6/2/2023 1:55pm
6/2/2023 1:55pm

Heated pressure washer eliminates much more scrubbing than cold water 

DaBaum44
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DaBaum44 6/2/2023 8:16pm
6/2/2023 8:16pm

I use a $20 foam gun from Amazon that attaches to my pressure washer wand. I just use Dawn dish soap mixed with water. First thing I do is spray the bike, especially the heavy areas and let it sit for 3 to 5 minutes. If it is really dirty, I will spray it twice and the heavy stuff starts to fall off. This has worked really well for me, but I have never used only a hose. I always use a little electric pressure washer, so that is all I can speak for.

Side note, I made up a 3 gallon bucket with all the tools, sprays, and brushes I use to wash my bike and it has saved me a good chunk of time, not running back and forth between the shop. It's worth noting since your washing multiple bikes at a time.

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