Detailing bikes? What do you guys use?

Alec138
Profile picture for user Alec138
Posts
540
Joined
1/29/2018
Location
Bethania, NC US
Alec138
Edited Date/Time 2/13/2019 5:14am
Wanting to tear my 350sxf apart and clean it up real nice just for looks and to prevent unneccesary wear on stuff. I am not gonna go crazy like pulling motor and all that but am gonna pull all the plastics off and scrub them down. Plan on using simple green and some magic erasers and a brush and toothbrush. Any other cleaners that wont hurt anything? Also taking the stains off the frame and factory plastic skidplate? Both look rough. Also any advice to take all the mud stains out of the airbox? The bottom of it is stained (not pulling it off because i have no idea how on these bikes). Also what do you guys do about dirt under the seat where all the eletrics are at? Was thinking duct tape and a trash bag to cover it?
3
|
bigk218
Profile picture for user bigk218
Posts
1290
Joined
1/2/2018
Location
Summerville, SC US
Fantasy
3155th
bigk218 2/10/2019 3:39pm
2/10/2019 3:39pm
Matthes in a can. Don’t even need to wash the bike.
4
Alec138
Profile picture for user Alec138
Posts
540
Joined
1/29/2018
Location
Bethania, NC US
Alec138 2/10/2019 3:56pm
2/10/2019 3:56pm
bigk218 wrote:
Matthes in a can. Don’t even need to wash the bike.
Link
rockn216
Profile picture for user rockn216
Posts
11
Joined
6/1/2015
Location
Wallace, NC US
rockn216 2/10/2019 3:58pm
2/10/2019 3:58pm
For cleaning, I use a product called awesome. You can buy it in a gallon jug or quart size from family dollar store It works just like the name implies...Awesome. After I clean the bike I take a leaf blower and get as much water off of it as I can. The next step is to spray wd-40 on the chain and engine. The last step is to apply maxima sc-to all the plastic and rubber parts. Presto, you have a new bike.
1
Alec138
Profile picture for user Alec138
Posts
540
Joined
1/29/2018
Location
Bethania, NC US
Alec138 2/10/2019 4:01pm
2/10/2019 4:01pm
rockn216 wrote:
For cleaning, I use a product called awesome. You can buy it in a gallon jug or quart size from family dollar store It works just...
For cleaning, I use a product called awesome. You can buy it in a gallon jug or quart size from family dollar store It works just like the name implies...Awesome. After I clean the bike I take a leaf blower and get as much water off of it as I can. The next step is to spray wd-40 on the chain and engine. The last step is to apply maxima sc-to all the plastic and rubber parts. Presto, you have a new bike.
I see it at dollar general. The LAs awesome cleaner. Its like 1.50. Do you have to dilute it so it doesnt mess with the cast engine covers or paint on the frame? I dilute SG 1/2 with water in a sprayer.

The Shop

See All »
SeaClassExpert 2/10/2019 4:04pm
2/10/2019 4:04pm Edited Date/Time 2/10/2019 4:04pm
1. Meguiar's gold class soap to wash the whole bike with a power washer.

2. Dry w/ leaf blower and lube chain/wheels/hubs/cases with WD-40. Wipe header, exhaust, frame with WD as well.

3. SC-1 on plastics, forks, tank, clamps, bars.

4. Beer.
1
RonSkj
Profile picture for user RonSkj
Posts
2811
Joined
6/20/2008
Location
Radiator Springs, CA US
Fantasy
131st
RonSkj 2/10/2019 4:21pm
2/10/2019 4:21pm
They sell this at homedepot, Add it to water in a bucket making it into a slurry and brush it on your bike. let it sit for awhile (the longer the better) then hose off. Your bike will look just like the pro's.

.


27
1
zehn
Profile picture for user zehn
Posts
7256
Joined
1/15/2013
Location
Anchorage, AK US
zehn 2/10/2019 4:27pm
2/10/2019 4:27pm
I never have to detail my bike because I only ride green lane
5
rockn216
Profile picture for user rockn216
Posts
11
Joined
6/1/2015
Location
Wallace, NC US
rockn216 2/10/2019 4:51pm
2/10/2019 4:51pm
rockn216 wrote:
For cleaning, I use a product called awesome. You can buy it in a gallon jug or quart size from family dollar store It works just...
For cleaning, I use a product called awesome. You can buy it in a gallon jug or quart size from family dollar store It works just like the name implies...Awesome. After I clean the bike I take a leaf blower and get as much water off of it as I can. The next step is to spray wd-40 on the chain and engine. The last step is to apply maxima sc-to all the plastic and rubber parts. Presto, you have a new bike.
Alec138 wrote:
I see it at dollar general. The LAs awesome cleaner. Its like 1.50. Do you have to dilute it so it doesnt mess with the cast...
I see it at dollar general. The LAs awesome cleaner. Its like 1.50. Do you have to dilute it so it doesnt mess with the cast engine covers or paint on the frame? I dilute SG 1/2 with water in a sprayer.
I don't dilute awesome at all. Spray it on full strength and let it sit a couple of minutes then powerwash it off.I've never had any trouble with it screwing up any part of the bike. I use it on my boots too.
Alec138
Profile picture for user Alec138
Posts
540
Joined
1/29/2018
Location
Bethania, NC US
Alec138 2/10/2019 4:53pm
2/10/2019 4:53pm
RonSkj wrote:
They sell this at homedepot, Add it to water in a bucket making it into a slurry and brush it on your bike. let it sit...
They sell this at homedepot, Add it to water in a bucket making it into a slurry and brush it on your bike. let it sit for awhile (the longer the better) then hose off. Your bike will look just like the pro's.

.


Lul. Yeah saddening feld only gave privateers 5k. Like i guess its something but i still see some sort of giant lawsuit down the road.
3
b_kowalsk
Profile picture for user b_kowalsk
Posts
476
Joined
3/27/2016
Location
Thomaston, CT US
b_kowalsk 2/10/2019 4:56pm
2/10/2019 4:56pm
My routine

1.Hose off heavy mud/dirt.
2. Let water evaporate off a bit (10-15min)
3. Spray entire bike heavily with Shout (Forget Simple Green, that will dull and tarnish your ride!)
3. Use brush to scrub seat and any particularly dirty areas (toothbrush for tight spots)
4. Hose down entire bike
5. Start it up to help dry things off
6. Lube chain
7. Spray everything with Bell-Ray silicone spray (cover your brakes tho!)
8. Admire bike and look over/prepare for next ride!
4
snackfedbear
Profile picture for user snackfedbear
Posts
1005
Joined
10/18/2016
Location
Southern, CA US
snackfedbear 2/10/2019 5:02pm
2/10/2019 5:02pm
Wd40 on everything except the brakes grips and seat. buffs out good and makes your bike look wet. Sc1 makes everything too slippery
1
2
motomike894
Profile picture for user motomike894
Posts
1493
Joined
9/6/2009
Location
Waterloo, IN US
motomike894 2/10/2019 5:05pm
2/10/2019 5:05pm
Sc1 is the shit for rims and plastic etc once bikes clean and smells great too
2
Harry Backmon 2/10/2019 6:31pm
2/10/2019 6:31pm
Talk to the gear cleaning guy. He uses some sort of "special sauce" that he swears gets everything pearly white.
4
rikhek
Profile picture for user rikhek
Posts
328
Joined
2/26/2012
Location
Tulsa, OK US
rikhek 2/11/2019 11:20am
2/11/2019 11:20am
Brillo pad, pressure washer and SC1. I'm not joking about the brillo pad. I buy boxes of the brand they sell at Dollar General and they work GREAT on plastic and metal and don't scratch as most would think. They are cheap and already have soap impregnated in them.
1
rikhek
Profile picture for user rikhek
Posts
328
Joined
2/26/2012
Location
Tulsa, OK US
rikhek 2/11/2019 11:22am
2/11/2019 11:22am
Brillo pad, pressure washer and SC1. I'm not joking about the brillo pad. I buy boxes of the brand they sell at Dollar General and they work GREAT on plastic and metal and don't scratch as most would think. They are cheap and already have soap impregnated in them. Before you rag on me try it.
2

Pit Row

See All »
Motox627!
Profile picture for user Motox627!
Posts
749
Joined
5/16/2018
Location
P-ville, TX US
Motox627! 2/11/2019 11:25am
2/11/2019 11:25am
Engine WD-40
Chain WD-40
Literally everything else on the bike or within a 20 foot radius when i am holding the can, SC1

Except your seat. That shit will ruin your day. TongueWink
newmann
Profile picture for user newmann
Posts
24444
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
US
newmann 2/11/2019 5:53pm
2/11/2019 5:53pm
snackfedbear wrote:
Wd40 on everything except the brakes grips and seat. buffs out good and makes your bike look wet. Sc1 makes everything too slippery
Yessir! Even on the seat, WD40 doesn't get overly slick like those other shiny shit in a can products. Best part about a vintage bike is the drum brakes, WFO with the WD and zero worries about it getting on brakes. Wink
2
rallendude
Profile picture for user rallendude
Posts
2200
Joined
8/17/2006
Location
Adger, AL US
rallendude 2/12/2019 6:44am
2/12/2019 6:44am
For cleaning under the seat, take the seat off and side panel if it's a KTM. Put the air filter in a plastic bag and reinstall with the bolt through the bag. Make sure the bag is tucked nicely in around the rim. (Or you could just buy an airbox cover from twin air or acerbis). Liberally coat everything in the air box with PJ1 air filter cleaner, along with anything else on the bike that is greasy or oily. Rub tough spots with finger or toothbrush. Hose the airbox and underseat area out with water.

What WD-40 are you guys using as far as dispenser goes? I HATE that new smart straw. It never works right and the cans I buy won't hardly spray without the smart straw in place.
Donovan759
Profile picture for user Donovan759
Posts
2083
Joined
10/12/2017
Location
Pittsburgh, PA US
Donovan759 2/12/2019 7:21am
2/12/2019 7:21am
zehn wrote:
I never have to detail my bike because I only ride green lane
I have a guy across the pond who does it for me.
3
SIMX2
Profile picture for user SIMX2
Posts
42
Joined
3/12/2018
Location
Oakland City, IN US
SIMX2 2/12/2019 7:37am
2/12/2019 7:37am
Simple green, Awesome and I have at times used Westley's Blech-White sprayed on motor for short periods of time. Works well, but you have to keep an eye on it!!
Nuffsaid
Profile picture for user Nuffsaid
Posts
573
Joined
3/24/2018
Location
Bakersfield, CA US
Nuffsaid 2/12/2019 5:34pm
2/12/2019 5:34pm Edited Date/Time 2/12/2019 5:35pm
Elbow grease use to be cheap and worked great but there’s probably a app on your phone for that nowdays
2
1
KDXGarage
Profile picture for user KDXGarage
Posts
2562
Joined
12/16/2010
Location
AL US
KDXGarage 2/12/2019 11:19pm
2/12/2019 11:19pm
rallendude wrote:
For cleaning under the seat, take the seat off and side panel if it's a KTM. Put the air filter in a plastic bag and reinstall...
For cleaning under the seat, take the seat off and side panel if it's a KTM. Put the air filter in a plastic bag and reinstall with the bolt through the bag. Make sure the bag is tucked nicely in around the rim. (Or you could just buy an airbox cover from twin air or acerbis). Liberally coat everything in the air box with PJ1 air filter cleaner, along with anything else on the bike that is greasy or oily. Rub tough spots with finger or toothbrush. Hose the airbox and underseat area out with water.

What WD-40 are you guys using as far as dispenser goes? I HATE that new smart straw. It never works right and the cans I buy won't hardly spray without the smart straw in place.
Hi there!

I saw you at some races a few years ago. I hope all is going well with you and yours. The last time I think I saw you was when you had a wreck at the end of the start straight at Mclarty.

Great tip on the bagged air filter. I have never heard that one before.
dirtmike86
Profile picture for user dirtmike86
Posts
1180
Joined
10/28/2015
Location
Grand Terrace, CA US
dirtmike86 2/12/2019 11:52pm
2/12/2019 11:52pm Edited Date/Time 2/13/2019 5:13am
snackfedbear wrote:
Wd40 on everything except the brakes grips and seat. buffs out good and makes your bike look wet. Sc1 makes everything too slippery
newmann wrote:
Yessir! Even on the seat, WD40 doesn't get overly slick like those other shiny shit in a can products. Best part about a vintage bike is...
Yessir! Even on the seat, WD40 doesn't get overly slick like those other shiny shit in a can products. Best part about a vintage bike is the drum brakes, WFO with the WD and zero worries about it getting on brakes. Wink

Post a reply to: Detailing bikes? What do you guys use?