What do you guys use to clean your bikes, shine up the plastics.....

BigDaddyG
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12/26/2011 12:48pm Edited Date/Time 5/12/2015 10:25am
As the title suggest's.....what do we all use to clean the bikes?

I use either Simple Green or Greased Lighting. Problem is they don't clean the seat cover very well and the green on my seat cover doesn't get as clean as I would like. Other than that they both seem to do a decent job.

Also, once you have the bike clean what if anything do you guys use to "shine" up the plastics/graphics? I don't want to use something that would leave a film like WD-40 and attract dust.

Thanks for the input guys!
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mxb2
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12/26/2011 2:02pm
simple green ,purple power, shout is good, way cheaper, scotch brite pads with simple green, once dried off, spray maxima sc1.or plexxus plastic cleaner. good stuff. wd 40 the chain then wipe off , then add chain lube.
CamP
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12/26/2011 2:04pm
I quit using simple green because it oxidizes aluminum and strips/dulls the anodize. White Lightning is even more caustic than SG.

I now use Shout Stain Remover. Runs about $4 for a 60 ounce jug at wally world.

tmauto769
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12/26/2011 3:23pm
Pressure wash, let it dry, maxima SC-1, I use a spray upholstery cleaner with a scrub brush on top of the can to clean the seat cover.
mosslander
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12/26/2011 3:45pm
CamP wrote:
I quit using simple green because it oxidizes aluminum and strips/dulls the anodize. White Lightning is even more caustic than SG. I now use Shout Stain...
I quit using simple green because it oxidizes aluminum and strips/dulls the anodize. White Lightning is even more caustic than SG.

I now use Shout Stain Remover. Runs about $4 for a 60 ounce jug at wally world.

I can only get Bio Shout stain remower here , is there any remarkable differents between Bio Shout and Shout triple-acting

The Shop

mj731
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12/26/2011 3:45pm
It sounds stupid but I've seen Mop and Glow work on plastic.
CamP
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12/26/2011 3:50pm
mosslander wrote:
I can only get Bio Shout stain remower here , is there any remarkable differents between Bio Shout and Shout triple-acting
I would guess that they are the same because the Shout we get in the US is biodegradable.
kippy450
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12/26/2011 3:58pm
CamP wrote:
I quit using simple green because it oxidizes aluminum and strips/dulls the anodize. White Lightning is even more caustic than SG. I now use Shout Stain...
I quit using simple green because it oxidizes aluminum and strips/dulls the anodize. White Lightning is even more caustic than SG.

I now use Shout Stain Remover. Runs about $4 for a 60 ounce jug at wally world.

Totally second that...I love that stuff!
kippy450
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12/26/2011 3:59pm
mj731 wrote:
It sounds stupid but I've seen Mop and Glow work on plastic.
+2 on that as well!
mosslander
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12/26/2011 4:04pm
mosslander wrote:
I can only get Bio Shout stain remower here , is there any remarkable differents between Bio Shout and Shout triple-acting
CamP wrote:
I would guess that they are the same because the Shout we get in the US is biodegradable.
Thank's CamP
BigDaddyG
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12/26/2011 4:45pm
CamP wrote:
I quit using simple green because it oxidizes aluminum and strips/dulls the anodize. White Lightning is even more caustic than SG. I now use Shout Stain...
I quit using simple green because it oxidizes aluminum and strips/dulls the anodize. White Lightning is even more caustic than SG.

I now use Shout Stain Remover. Runs about $4 for a 60 ounce jug at wally world.

That is why I started this thread, to get great info like this! So how much do you use in a bucket with a few gallons of water? I hate how SG or White Lightning take the shine right out of my frame and oxidize it.

Thanks for all the good info guys....very helpful.
BigDaddyG
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12/26/2011 4:47pm
tmauto769 wrote:
Pressure wash, let it dry, maxima SC-1, I use a spray upholstery cleaner with a scrub brush on top of the can to clean the seat...
Pressure wash, let it dry, maxima SC-1, I use a spray upholstery cleaner with a scrub brush on top of the can to clean the seat cover.
Sweet, I will give that try ! Thanks man .
CamP
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12/26/2011 4:59pm
BigDaddyG wrote:
That is why I started this thread, to get great info like this! So how much do you use in a bucket with a few gallons...
That is why I started this thread, to get great info like this! So how much do you use in a bucket with a few gallons of water? I hate how SG or White Lightning take the shine right out of my frame and oxidize it.

Thanks for all the good info guys....very helpful.
Buy a 30 ounce spray pump bottle of Shout, plus the 60 ounce refill.

Hose off all the accumulated mud from the bike and allow a few minutes for most of the water to drip dry. Spray the entire bike with Shout, focusing on the worst dirt stains. Then rinse the bike with a high pressure water nozzle or pressure washer, once again focusing on the areas with the worst dirt stains. Repeat as necessary if you missed any spots with the Shout.

For boot marks on aluminum frames, spray the frame spar with shout, then scour it with a green scotchbrite pad. Use circular motion on the forged areas and linear strokes on the extruded spars before rinsing with water.
BigDaddyG
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12/26/2011 7:39pm
CamP wrote:
Buy a 30 ounce spray pump bottle of Shout, plus the 60 ounce refill. Hose off all the accumulated mud from the bike and allow a...
Buy a 30 ounce spray pump bottle of Shout, plus the 60 ounce refill.

Hose off all the accumulated mud from the bike and allow a few minutes for most of the water to drip dry. Spray the entire bike with Shout, focusing on the worst dirt stains. Then rinse the bike with a high pressure water nozzle or pressure washer, once again focusing on the areas with the worst dirt stains. Repeat as necessary if you missed any spots with the Shout.

For boot marks on aluminum frames, spray the frame spar with shout, then scour it with a green scotchbrite pad. Use circular motion on the forged areas and linear strokes on the extruded spars before rinsing with water.
Ok cool, thanks camP!
mx510
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12/27/2011 7:46am
Simple Green, with Maxima SC-1. I use a scrub brush for the seat and steel wool for the frame. The bike looks new every time!
TerryK
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12/27/2011 11:36am
Plexus plastic polish is great for shining up your plastics once they are clean. Its also amazing at keeping mud from sticking to your bike during mud races! Just dont get any on the seat of gas tank (where you sit). Very slippery lol.
Barrett57
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12/27/2011 2:41pm
I always use WD40, spray it while it wet as it displaces the water, and wipe it down.

Its good for removing oil stains from plastic as well.
newmann
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12/27/2011 2:52pm
After washing my vintage bikes (drum brakes), I mist the whole damn bike down with WD-40 before putting them back in the garage. Occasionally I wrap a towel around the discs of the new bikes and hose them down too. Keeps all kinds of stuff from going bad.
ianhendry46
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12/27/2011 2:54pm
Dawn dish soap and a scotchbright pad. i also spray the shout on there before i wash it to let it break through the mud so it comes off easier
Bret
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12/29/2011 2:23pm
Shout to clean it. Maxima SC1 to make it shine!
kippy450
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12/29/2011 4:08pm
TerryK wrote:
Plexus plastic polish is great for shining up your plastics once they are clean. Its also amazing at keeping mud from sticking to your bike during...
Plexus plastic polish is great for shining up your plastics once they are clean. Its also amazing at keeping mud from sticking to your bike during mud races! Just dont get any on the seat of gas tank (where you sit). Very slippery lol.
I tried that stuff after a friend recommended it to me. I wasn't impressed...plus its expensive! I didn't think about for the mud though...I usually use silcone spray.
T-Fish
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12/29/2011 4:41pm
Dish soaps, like Dawn, do a better job of breaking grease and stuff down Simple Green does. I haven't used Shout, but I will very soon.

I actually just bought a bottle of Mop & Glo to see how that works for keeping my bike shined up. After using it, it doesn't impress me nearly as much as Silkolene Pro Prep. I'd like to try the Maxima stuff pictured above to compare.
jsmx97
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12/29/2011 8:07pm
mx510 wrote:
Simple Green, with Maxima SC-1. I use a scrub brush for the seat and steel wool for the frame. The bike looks new every time!
+1 on the SC1, I also use simple green but sometimes like to go above and beyond with the motorex bike wash...it leaves a protective shine and washes away brown dirt stains without scrubbing.
jeffro503
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12/31/2011 8:00pm
Guys.....does "Shout" work well on the motor areas as well.....where the dirt is kind of baked into the metal a little? You get that kind of "dingy" type look to it.....and was wondering if it may help bring it back to the way it originally looked off the show room floor?

Good thread Bigdaddy!
CamP
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1/1/2012 7:37am Edited Date/Time 1/1/2012 7:38am
jeffro503 wrote:
Guys.....does "Shout" work well on the motor areas as well.....where the dirt is kind of baked into the metal a little? You get that kind of...
Guys.....does "Shout" work well on the motor areas as well.....where the dirt is kind of baked into the metal a little? You get that kind of "dingy" type look to it.....and was wondering if it may help bring it back to the way it originally looked off the show room floor?

Good thread Bigdaddy!
The key to maintaining the bike's factory original finishes is getting the dirt off the bike as soon as possible. If you allow baked on dirt to remain on the bike for extended periods of time, the dirt will etch and oxidize the finishes and they will never look showroom new again, no matter what product you use. Some dirt is more caustic than others, so you have to determine what you are up against and wash your bikes accordingly. For the dirt in our area tracks, as long as I get it off within 24 hours, it won't stain the finishes.

As far as bike wash products go, I've used them all and Shout does the best job of cleaning, without damaging anodized finishes. Products like Simple Green, White Lightning and Purple Power are caustic and will strip the anodize off aluminum and over time make your bike look like shit.
tmauto769
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1/1/2012 9:15am Edited Date/Time 1/1/2012 9:15am
"Products like Simple Green, White Lightning and Purple Power are caustic and will strip the anodize off aluminum and over time make your bike look like shit."

True, I looked at buying a ktm 300 a couple years ago with the black fork tubes, dude used white lightning to clean the bike and it ruined that black anodizing on the fork tubes, looked like shit. you could see where it was dripping down and caused grey looking streaks in it.
logan_140
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5/11/2015 7:35am
Sorry for bringing back an old thread... Do you mix the shout 50/50?
Sixeightone
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5/11/2015 10:56am
Spectro Bike wash is hands down the best thing I've ever used. I was on the simple green sc1 program for years. But that stuff doesn't hold a candle to the bike wash. Wash the bike real good with the pressure washer, spray it on, the key is to let it sit for 5-10 min, and then wash it off! It leaves that factory sheen that the plastics have from the showroom floor! Every one should try it! You can pretty much wash your bike with a garden hose that's how good it works!
jaakee_
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5/11/2015 11:20am
Pressure wash, then I use an air compressor to blow it dry. I use soap and water on the seat, I clean it with my hands, again using the compressor to get all the moisture off. Glass cleaner works good for the shine.
5/11/2015 11:27am Edited Date/Time 5/11/2015 11:29am
Support the industry with a product that works and is not counter productive. try alco cleaners. Made in the usa
Pretty popular in the gncc series.
http://www.alcocleaners.com/
CrGuy2T
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5/11/2015 2:58pm
Pledge on the plastics.

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