Washing a VERY dirty bike. Any product recommendations?

[DirtyD916]

Well I'm a bit ashamed to be posting a cleaning question with nearly 2 decades of riding under my belt. However, this is the first time in years that I have a proper garage and access to a hose :laughing


I'm looking for recommendations on products to get a very dirty bike back to showroom condition. I have 2 buckets and hose, but am hoping to get some tips on cleaning products. I'd say the main areas needing attention are

-wheels
-plastics
-greasy, caked on dirt over the suspension and engine


Any recommendations?

 

[two wheel tramp]

Yup. I use a foam cannon from Slick Products. Their stuff is fantastic. A friend of mine who always has the cleanest bikes uses their products and turned me on to it. When I am lazy I hire someone else to do it for me, though. :laughing

 

[DirtyD916]

Looks like they make a bunch of great stuff. Happen to recall which product you use?

 

[sportbiker929]

water and a brush

 

[DefyInertia]

Power washer

 

[Slow Goat]

Hot water/Simple Green in one bucket and warm clean water on the other. Keep hose handy, scrub/rinse from top down, if you have an air compressor, blow dry. Otherwise dry with towels.

Bleche Wite cleans cruddy tires/wheels and leaves no residue, great on car tires, too.

 

[Gary856]

WD40, S100 Total Cycle Cleaner.

 

[two wheel tramp]

Looks like they make a bunch of great stuff. Happen to recall which product you use?

I use the hose foam cannon and their off road wash. I follow up with Mike's bike spirits, aka honda polish.

 

[SCC Ryder]

S100 Total Cycle Cleaner and S100 Wheel Cleaner works wonders for real dirty stuff! Original Bike Spirits Cleaner and Polish spray works very well for quick detail touch up cleaning.

 

[ksandvik]

Power washer is not fun if that forces water into the bearings and similar places.....

 

[berth]

Simple Green is magic, and dirt cheap. I haven't seen a comparison between Simple Green and S100, but I feel they're really similar.

And, yea, WD40 for the chain lube that makes it to the swing arm or the wheels.

Try and keep the WD40 off of the brake pads. DAMHIK.

 

[DirtyD916]

I really appreciate all the help! I picked up a few detailing brushes, buckets, and some S100 from Cycle Gear. Excited to see how it works on some of the caked on grease, but I always have the Simple Green handy as a backup.

 

[berth]

I'd be curious if you notice any difference between the S100 and SG, since you'll have them both to work with.

 

[Busy Little Shop]

Any recommendations?

Plenty... no pressure washers because of corrison... no simple green because it may stain...

Examples of corrosion... mainly due to hitting your prize with
a garden hose... this act promotes corrosion in all the little
nooks and crannies hidden from view... The pitfall is that
metal is etched for life...

After 20 years and 62,000 miles of perverted highway I've never once
hit my bikes with a garden hose... to me it's bike abuse because it
promotes corrosion in all the little nooks and crannies...

***************************************************

Busy Little Shop's no garden hose 3 step method of bike cleaning:

1) At the end of days ride soak a wash cloth in HOT water and remove bugs
and road grime... repeat as necessary...

2) Add plastic polish fairings and gas tank and buff to a shine...

3) Add a little Gasoline to the corner of the rag and degrease
wheels chain... plastic polish wheels to add a nice luster...

 

[ST Guy]

Busy Little Shop's no garden hose 3 step method of bike cleaning:

1) At the end of days ride soak a wash cloth in HOT water and remove bugs
and road grime... repeat as necessary...

2) Add plastic polish fairings and gas tank and buff to a shine...

3) Add a little Gasoline to the corner of the rag and degrease
wheels chain... plastic polish wheels to add a nice luster...

Probably the best advice.

 

[Biga]

I've tried everything on the market for different applications and "pine sol" is the best bang for the buck.
I diluted to wash a really dirty bike that I was rebuilding but I do use it 100% straight up for soaking carbs and gas tanks.
I do recommend gloves and mask.
WD40 on certain parts after that and wipe it down.
Cannot be happier with the product.

 

[berth]

no simple green because it may stain...

What might it stain?

 

[Lucytriple]

WD40, S100 Total Cycle Cleaner.

I like these too. You need to rinse off that s100, but with a brush a a little water it takes off almost everything. and then whatever is still on, WD-40 and that brush and you're good to go

 

[GPzPop]

because no one has yet to say it :

a) rain,

b) rainy season,

wash your bike ? what is that concept?

 

[DirtyD916]

S100 seemed to work great minus a few spots of really stuck on grease.

I truly appreciate the recommendations everyone.