Question about Cleanliness

[Kanonnier]

What do you guys do to keep your bikes clean?
I have been trying my best, but it is impossible to get into some of the nooks & crannies on this bike
Am I missing something or is this just something I will have to live with?

 

[Phil_B]

I'm certainly no expert when it comes to cleaning bikes, but the key generally when you can't get in to clean an area is to use some sort of tool or brush to get in there, or a chemical cleaner and water (or steam), being careful of the electrics and bearings on a bike of course.

 

[sdrio]

Some of this, then a swish round with one of these, a good squirt with a hosepipe, then repeat using some of this.

I also use a chamoix leather, they're about 5 quid from Halfords, to make sure there are no smears or watermarks.

Once a month or so I'll go over the shiny bits with some of this, using lint free cloths.

 

[Ralph]

Bathroom Mousse is very good on caked on grime but do try it on a small area first.

 

[Kipawa]

Turtlewax Ice best stuff can use it on all surfaces even windscreens makes everything sparkle amazing stuff!

TURTLE WAX

 

[TJ63]

Sorry, but the washing up liquid is a big no-no for paintwork. All sorts of nasty stuff in there, including salt IIRC. Get some proper bike or car shampoo.

 

[MADAPE]

I use Muc-Off cycle cleaner. It's safe to use of brakes, bearings etc. and is biodegradeable. Spray on, work in with a brush and rinse off. For paintwork, treat the gloss and matt finishes differently. You should be careful with Matt Grey and use a shampoo without wax.

 

[Ralph]

Be very careful with the matt grey they look great but the finish can very quickly get ruined
it's what put me off buying one.
With the Bathroom Mousse I was thinking of the very grimy oily bit's that are near impossible to clean
"the OP did say the nooks and crannies,"
not the painted shiny bit's that you see all the time, for the shiny bits Auto Glym instant show shine
takes some beating

 

[Kanonnier]

Thanks for all the replies. I will be getting some degreaser this weekend and maybe a bottle brush?
I do use motul chain cleaner C1 on the chain, but I don't want to get that near any of the paintwork or engine parts.
I didn't know what I was getting myself into with a naked bike!

 

[sdrio]

Sorry, but the washing up liquid is a big no-no for paintwork. All sorts of nasty stuff in there, including salt IIRC. Get some proper bike or car shampoo.

Noted, thanks. Never really thought about it, to be honest.

Will grab something suitable from Halfords.

 

[Malcpig]

Hi
For a couple of years I owned the franchise in the Chester area for a company known as All year biker ,google it . we provided a bike treatment for £60 that involved cleaning the bike very very well and then treated with an atomised spray of ACF 50 . this stuff is absolutely brilliant and makes cleaning a bike dead easy afterwards . As stated previously keep away from washing up liquid and even muc off is too hard on the paint . I have no connection anymore will All year biker but it really does work ,especially in the bits you can't see !

 

[btpw92]

So my Matte Grey could do with a clean, but I've read somewhere I'd need specialist Matte finish cleaner. What are you guys with the Matte finish using?

 

[sdrio]

So my Matte Grey could do with a clean, but I've read somewhere I'd need specialist Matte finish cleaner. What are you guys with the Matte finish using?

First bike I've ever heard of that is 'dry clean only'.

 

[MADAPE]

I was advised by the dealer to buy the cheapest shampoo i could find that doesn't contain wax. Problem is, I've looked at a number of specialist shops and supermarkets and could only find Meguiars Gold Class Shampoo and conditioner (sounds like a beauty product!!).It works fine but is expensive at £7 for 473ml. If anyone elase has found a better option, I'd be interested.

The key thing I found was using a microfibre towel after to remove excess water to prevent water spots/streaks.

 

[bhd]

Resurrecting another old thread, I've just taken delivery of the matte grey MT07 and agree with Kannonier, keeping this thing clean is going to be a challenge. I will be using it as my everyday transport, all year round, and those nooks and crannies are looking pretty scary.

I note the advice above about using a car shampoo without wax, but also someone else's comment that the matte finish can go off if not looked after. My dealer looked blank when I asked for advice, so what do other owners do? Any other bike I'd wash and polish, but not sure where to go with this one.

 

[bypasser]

I'm a year round rider too. Only had mine since march but am applying similar principal to my last bike. ACF50 coating from new on all parts it's safe for and retreat occasionally especially in winter and only when clean.
If the bike gets bird poo or unusual dirtiness then I clean it off asap, even if only with a spray of water.
Otherwise I just use Muc Off nano tech fast action cleaner. Wet the bike down, spray on cleaner everywhere, leave it for a few minutes and then rinse off. Quick brush on any stubborn dirt. Works well for me. Usually microfibre towel it down afterwards. I do this as often as I can (no more than once every two weeks)

 

[bhd]

Thanks bypasser, so the muc-off is instead of a shampoo and you don't polish? If I'm washing down a bike during the winter, I'll use a pre-clean fluid on the mucky bits (not the paintwork), leave that for a few minutes then rinse off, shampoo and polish. I skip the pre-clean if it's not too bad.
Does the muc off not strip off the ACF50?

 

[bypasser]

I'm no expert. Just my practice and worked OK for now. Don't actually know about it stripping off acf50. Maybe it does?
Mainly want that for winter riding when I wash it far less other than occasionally water spray down so hopefully not a problem? Wonder if anyone here knows if it does strip it off.

Never bother with shampoo or polish. Seen advise from various sources that suggest it's unnecessary and possibly counter productive. It's also a pain to do. So maybe all those people are lazy.... Although they do seem to love their bikes so assume they wouldn't be deliberately abusing them

 

[Noggie]

I use a Swissvax washpudel for general cleaning, this is a sponge inside a soft frothy material.


And a Swissvax detailing brush for those hard to reach places.


I also use a snow foam gun and Bilt Hamber autofoam to cover the bike in soap.


for Asphalt removal I use Bilthamber Surfex HD.
For wheels I use P21s
For removing carbon based "fallout" I use Bilt hamber Korrosol.

Should mention that I'm an amateur detailer so I have a good idea of what products to use for cleaning and waxing.

For those who ask about matte colours, there are special wax made for those colours to prevent them from going glossy.
Swissvax has one called Opaque.

Here is a thread on a different forum on how I cleaned and detailed my car after I bought it.

Detailing my M550d Touring

 

[bypasser]

Wow. Second hand bikes from Noggie sound like they'll be in great condition.