Cleaning

[blackx5]

How’s everyone cleaning their bikes? I’m trying to avoid the scratches and swirls on the black paint.

 

[TodkaVonic]

Big topic. Wash as infrequently as possible. If unavoidable, use way too much soap and water. Be gentle. No scrubbing,

For full wash: Same as for my cars. Wash with water that runs through a filtering system (like this https://www.autogeek.net/cr-spotless-wall-mount-system-300.html) to rinse and apply soap. I use this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009OTW646/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
with this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071G2RW8C/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
and this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0856YWWDR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1.
Then a wool mitten to soapy bits starting top to bottom and then likely another for the more dirty soapy bits at the wheels, etc. Rinse again. Then blow dry with this https://www.amazon.com/McKees-37-MK37-9638100-Turbo-Dryer/dp/B01LF3FTSS/ref=sr_1_27?crid=2IY80DTI1X1PK&dchild=1&keywords=car+blower+dryer&qid=1618455581&sprefix=Car+blower+,aps,204&sr=8-27.
No towel/shammie drying.

For touch-ups: this stuff https://www.zainostore.com/product/Z-8.html (all their products are fantastic) +/- bug slide to help with the dead insects. Use a clean, new microfiber cloth. Light touch. Each works well on painted surfaces and chrome alike.

For dusting/maintenance: something like this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006AC7MKS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1.

Wax/protectant is a whole nuther topic

 

[blackx5]

Big topic. Wash as infrequently as possible. If unavoidable, use way too much soap and water. Be gentle. No scrubbing,

For full wash: Same as for my cars. Wash with water that runs through a filtering system (like this https://www.autogeek.net/cr-spotless-wall-mount-system-300.html) to rinse and apply soap. I use this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009OTW646/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
with this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071G2RW8C/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
and this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0856YWWDR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1.
Then a wool mitten to soapy bits starting top to bottom and then likely another for the more dirty soapy bits at the wheels, etc. Rinse again. Then blow dry with this https://www.amazon.com/McKees-37-MK37-9638100-Turbo-Dryer/dp/B01LF3FTSS/ref=sr_1_27?crid=2IY80DTI1X1PK&dchild=1&keywords=car+blower+dryer&qid=1618455581&sprefix=Car+blower+,aps,204&sr=8-27.
No towel/shammie drying.

For touch-ups: this stuff https://www.zainostore.com/product/Z-8.html (all their products are fantastic) +/- bug slide to help with the dead insects. Use a clean, new microfiber cloth. Light touch. Each works well on painted surfaces and chrome alike.

For dusting/maintenance: something like this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006AC7MKS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1.

Wax/protectant is a whole nuther topic

Thank you. I’m doing most of this with just so-so results. I knew this bike was going to be difficult to keep looking the way that I like. I agree about touching it as little as possible. In fact, I’ve yet to use a wash mitt...

 

[David R]

My wife owns a car wash. I wash it and dry it with a clean bath towel.
I waxed it with ceramic wax.

David

 

[Deleted member 213]

I bathe mine in ass's milk and sprinkle it with rose petals.

 

[TodkaVonic]

I bathe mine in ass's milk and sprinkle it with rose petals.

Reasonable. But I'd go with lotus leaves over rose petals.

Superhydrophobic materials from nature

Chemists who want to make materials that repel water but do not contain fluorocarbons are taking their inspiration from nature, Rachel Brazil finds

www.chemistryworld.com

 

[estoma]

Clean to Inspect, Inspect to Detect, Detect to Correct, Correct to Perfect –an aviation maintenance/reliability refrain. Most applicable to motorcycles as well. I often notice issues requiring attention when cleaning my bikes.

 

[Black Dog]

Issues requiring attention.