Cleaning Carbon Fiber Exhaust

[metallimonster]

First off, I searched and couldn't find anything.


I should be getting my New High Mount Arrows tomorrow and was wondering what steps I should take to make sure they last, don't fade, and how to clean them.

Tried to find something on the net but all I found was a lot of bs.

What do you guys use to clean/protect your carbon fiber exhaust?

[1313]

This stems from a lot of guys I know with carbon fiber hoods (cars).

Sun is the killer of CF. Keep the bike out the sun. Use mild soap and water when cleaning it. Do not use harsh chemicals.
Depending on the type of coat on the carbon, you can keep it waxed. I know some canisters are really textured. In that case don't use wax.

[He Man]

+1 on the sun, though i always thought it depended on the clearcoat/resin they use. if it isnt UV proof, its gonna fade and yellow no matter what you do.

[hypurone]

I use a product from P&S. It was made for keeping the cars in the dealer showrooms clean and free of dust. It has light cleaning and protectant capabilities but the key part is, it has UV blockers in it!  That is what will keep the CF from yellowing. There are other products out there as well, just make sure they aren't a heavy duty cleaner. I have used this stuff and one other brand for all my CF on the past 3 bikes without a yellowing problem in the bunch....

[metallimonster]

^^Can you give me a name of the cleaner, their website has a lot of stuff on it.  Thanks,

[JEFF_H]

Protect-all cleaner
also has UV protection

[metallimonster]

Protect-all cleaner
also has UV protection

Looks like this stuff might be the way to go.  I can get it at Iron Pony which is right by my house.  Thanks.

[hypurone]

^^Can you give me a name of the cleaner, their website has a lot of stuff on it.  Thanks,

I believe it is called Paint Gloss. There is also a "silicone free" version of it if you are into that....

[♣ McKraut ♣]

you mean you don't use armor all?

[pitbull]

I use WD-40 to clean the CF cans, front fender and bikini fairing and after 6 years they still look shiny. With about 100,000 km's the CF has seen a fair bit of sun but there's no yellowing.

[danaid]

Protect-all cleaner
also has UV protection

 +1,
 
 I also did a search and came up with nothing on cleaning/caring for CF. Asking around I found out that UV rays are the main cause of damage and not heat.
 Protect-all has the UV but its not thick like regular wax, I first used regular car wax w/UV protectant on my exhaust and while riding I started to smell the wax burning on the exhaust, I rode home and quickly wiped it off. I tried protect-all and no burning. I use the stuff to clean my entire bike like the way wd-40 is used sometimes to clean dirt bikes.

[billruiz]

I got a good deal on a bunch of Honda Spray Cleaner and Polish, but I remember Protect-All. Walmart used to sell it pretty cheap...in the boat supplies section.