Bike Detailing

[Kopfjager]

Bike detailing gurus. I know your out there and we have talked about this before, but there may be some new tricks of the trade. I have the Beast home for a bit and have been wringing her neck, but the project is not over and I don't want it to get away from me.

So, what are the detail freaks (like me) doing to keep it pristine?

[jc.cyberdemon]

after getting my first ride in a couple days ago i was left with something resembling a dirt bike... well i got out the hose, gave everything a good blasting, took a soft mit with a small a mount of carwash soap and hit the tank,cowl, and fender first. that keeps you from bringing dirt and grease up from the lower parts of the bike and onto the nice paint.I then took a soft bristle brush and hit the lower half of the bike (frame and motor) and get that really good i then move to the wheels using the mit again. Im rinsing in between so the soap dosnt dry and leave spots, after it all looks good i give it another rinse and dry it all off, first with air then with a shammy (dont know how to spell shammy). I then go over everthing agaain with a soft dry towel starting from top to bottom, i like to use a squirt of windex on the mirrors and my gauge clusters and also us mothers chrome polish on my exhaust "tips". I dont wax the tank or anything just keep it wiped down. I wonder what tire shine would look like....jk.  

[ducpainter]

Be careful with water under pressure in the steering head and swingarm pivot areas.

You won't be happy in the long run.

[jc.cyberdemon]

agreed dont blast the sensitive areas or  critical mechanical parts just the hard surfaces....

[Cloner]

"Shammy" is chamois....for what it's worth.   

I don't use water on my bikes at all.  I use windex, or PJ1, or other purpose specific cleaners, but not water.

I also live in a desert, so take that for what it's worth.

Cloner
ABQ, NM

[zooom]

S100 also works well!

[DucofWestwood]

i've used WD40 to clean the greasy parts of the motor after reading about it on here.  (obviously staying away from the chain, rotors, etc.)

[scduc]

I wash it just like my car. I lightly rinse/mist to get every thing wet, then I go at her with a bucket of warm soapy water and a rag. I wash every thing not greasy first then use that rag for the areas that get oily build up. Then rinse and wipe dry. I'll also run the engine to get rid of any stand water.

[muskrat]

for the wheels use a micro fiber cloth and regular rubbing alcohol, both cheap and leaves no streaks whatsoever.
For the engine casing, front forks and swing arm on my S4R I use the same if it's not crusted with road grime (fat chance since I clean it after every ride) but if it rains or something similar I use NON-CHLORINATED brake cleaner from Auto Zone and it dissolves that stuff right off.  Notice I put non-chlorinated, just be sure and don't spray it on painted surfaces.  For the paint a wet micro fiber with bug spray to get the crusted bugs off and then Zaino gloss enhancer spray.  I've owned too many black cars and bikes and have found Zaino is the best on dark colors and you can put multiple caps of coatings without problems in no time flat.  Check it out at zainostore.com

Anyone who knows me knows I'm very OCD about my bike being clean and in the end after thousands of dollars over the years found that cheap-ass alcohol did the trick for most things.

[geoffduc]

One of the best bits of kit that I've bought in years was purchased from Home Depot when I was on holiday afew years ago,
It's a $30 Homelite electric blower which I use to dry my bike after it's been carefully washed and rinsed, you'd be amazed how much water that it shifts, I then finish off with a damp chamios and polish with a micro fibre cloth...

[fastwin]

One of the best bits of kit that I've bought in years was purchased from Home Depot when I was on holiday afew years ago,
It's a $30 Homelite electric blower which I use to dry my bike after it's been carefully washed and rinsed, you'd be amazed how much water that it shifts, I then finish off with a damp chamios and polish with a micro fibre cloth...

Me too. But I just use my electric Black and Decker yard/leaf blower. I also wash it like a car starting at the top (windscreen, tank, fenders/bodywork) using sudsy car wash and a gentle water flow from the garden hose. I use ex-house bath cotton towels that have gone out of favor with the Mrs. for drying. Along with the leaf blower. I do the wheels last in the same fashion. Also a big fan of Honda's Spray Cleaner and Polish when a bath isn't needed.

[Kopfjager]

Best types of small brushes to get at the nooks and crannies?

[sisca77]

I've used long Q-tips and used baby bottle brush cleaners (the small ones) work great for nooks and crannies.

[Kopfjager]

I've used long Q-tips and used baby bottle brush cleaners (the small ones) work great for nooks and crannies.

I ain't got no linoleum lizards.    Where do I find baby bottle brushes?

[Slow Guy]

Mr. Clean Washer thing.  then Plexus and a lint free rag