I do the normal soapy water and sponge once a week, even if it's been in the garage all week. I hear some riders just use a wax spray or WD40 and a cloth. What's the best way???
I don't think there is a 'best' way. Depends how dirty the bike is, how much time you have. It's not rocket science, some people enjoy it my self included where others would rather be riding. Get the dirt off by washing, remove scratches by polishing apply protection by waxing and lube/protect the shiny bits by applying a WD40/ACF50/Chain Lube.
Do you ever find yourself starting out cleaning, then find a fastener that looks a bit corroded so you go to find your Dremel, then you can't find the wire brush with the pointy tip, so you go looking for that and realise that all your bits need sorting, then while you're doing that you find your glass drilling bit so you think while you've got it in your hand you'd better drill those wall tiles and put up that towel rail, then the drill dust gets in the grout so you go and get the steam cleaner and find the fuse has gone, then you look for a fuse and find the new packet of blades you bought for the garden shredder, so you think great, I can finish trimming the hedge, so you get the hedge trimmers and run the extension lead out but you can't reach because the bike's on the paddock stand and soaking wet in the way? No? Must just be me then.
I used to use fairy liquid, then found out years ago it's harsh and full of salt, years and years later I've now become super sad and use the full foam lance and grit guarded buckets on my pride and joy, the others get the steam cleaner and truck wash....lol. I did buy some Zymol wax this year and £100.00 a tub, it's nice stuff but the supernatural I also have at 60.00 is just as good IMO, and that's not much better than Autoglyms Hi Def wax at 30.00 and that's not much better than the Harley wax you get from eBay at 10.00! or you can us Azdas 15p furniture polish....lol
I use a weak solution of screenwash and water in a sprayer with a microfibre cloth for the body and helmet.It is quick n easy good at getting flys off if u are lazy like me.Then once a month if its get mucky wash it with car shampoo and a hose pipe.I spray everything with Gt85 and wipe off the excess.
You must be in a pretty good position to judge the BS from the truth on manufacturers claims for wonder products though Jez. Any insights as to what's worth the money and what's not?
wash with a bit of muc off, then soapy water (i gave the old old soapy bikini/boobies trick on the puig screen but it doesn't really work) and then we polish it, occasionally i give it a coat of proprep
Ken, I hear manufacturers every week saying their products are the mutts nuts and can honestly say most are pretty good.My problem is keeping them all.So I use the best that I've used myself. I'm a fan of Wynns products cos they all work.Got water in your car/bike tank use wynns injector cleaner cos it mixes and burns the water.No other cleaner does that. Black/dark colour bike/car owners will love this product that is flying off the shelf at the moment and it is call Farecla G3 professional paint restorer.I sell this for £9.99.I've tried the majority of the other polishes etc and can say this blows them away.No swirl marks no scratches does exactly what it says on the tin.Q-Bond glue/filling powder great for fixing anything from plastics to engine casings.Very very strong.£9.99 I'm not a fan of anything made by Carplan or Tetrosyl or supermarket products like oils etc.Reason is, this company has favoured the supermarket instead of the motor trade that built it's business from initially.I sell Comma oil and some castrol oils.
Brilliant Jez. Thanks. I've got two dark blue metallic cars and a half dark blue metallic bike so I'm thinking about a mail order list now. Keep your eye on your inbox. Ken
Ken, lend me your tile drill mate. L just slipped and pulled the bloody shower head rail off the wall (again). That’ll be another job on the list for this weekend. Bollocks.
Always hose down to get the grit off or you will scratch the paint with your sponge, I use car wash its gentler and non corrosive, then hose down and shammy off. Start the engine and let it dry off to prevent condensation and the wax with turtle wax black, only use this if you have a black bike guys lol! Because the bike is kept Klean that's all is needed,
