Cleaning after a winter ride?

[Deleted account 211025001]

I hadn't seen this previously, now ordered some and some degreaser for the spring as well.

Your trial on the 4 pieces of mild steel is all the testimonial I needed.

Thanks.

Ditto - almost sounds too good to be true but well worth a punt

Andres

 

[Beemer Bob]

I never use hot water where salt is concerned. It makes the salt behave like a BADMAN!
After a ride on our salty wet highways I rinse the bike down with cold water and a soft brush. I then rapidly wash the bike with Crystal Glow shampoo, rinse, blow dry with a backpack leaf blower (Stihl) apply a thin layer of ACF50 with cloth and airbrush to those hard to reach areas, which only need doing a couple of time during the winter.... job done!

BB

 

[Nutty]

It could have been though, I bet you mirror polish your panniers, as well

Don't be so silly. I like to look after my bikes, but polishing panniers is a little too OCD for me. And that's saying something.

 

[Millmax]

Haven't heard of it recently but plenty in the past of dealers telling owners to get stuffed with corrosion claims due to the use of muck off. I have seen first hand how acidic it is and although it gets the grime off I would never use it on a corrosion prone BMW. Castrol greentec is more than good enough. If you want to push the boat out get sdoc 100. It's better than green stuff but a lot more expensive and harder to get. Greentec can be got in most car places including Halfords.


Edited for crappy predictive text :-/

Chuffin ell thought muck off was harmless to your bike, lying feckin bar stewards

 

[discoed]

My BMW main dealer recommended Castrol Greentech and ACF50 - they even handed me a leaflet with details of the two products.

 

[Engineer]

My BMW main dealer recommended Castrol Greentech and ACF50 - they even handed me a leaflet with details of the two products.

Greentec and FS365 for me - Greentec has the advantage of smelling lovely too

 

[Wrinkly]

Do you use this Dynax UC in aerosol form? can it be sprayed into a lid and brushed on too? does in need topping up or is it quite durable over the winter?

Sounds like good stuff..

Dynax UC does come in an aerosol but can be sprayed into another container and brushed on.

I've never topped it up...I tend to clean my bike twice a year in the spring and autumn using bilt hamber degreaser to remove the old layer,then reapply the Dynax. In the meantime I just jetwash the bike down and leave to dry.

If you like your bike nice and shiny in the summer don't reapply the Dynax until the Autumn,as it does make the shiny bit dull,personally this doesn't bother me but I do like to know the bike is well protected from corrosion.

Steve

Steve

 

[cookie]

what's the difference between UB and UC?

 

[roadchefbob]

Chuffin ell thought muck off was harmless to your bike, lying feckin bar stewards

I left some muc off on the car wind screen over night and it marked the screen

 

[tanneman]

All of the above and however you wash it get one of these to rid it of the water in the nooks and crannies. That is what really causes the corrosion. You have to remember that soap is an alkaline and the tap water is not ph neutral and any prolonged contact with a surface it is going to corrode. Just look at R1100 engines where there is a water trap and they always corrode there.

 

[sagalout]

I clean my bike 4 times a year. Each time with SDOC 100 and jet wash (because I'm lazy) then polish and wax on the paint work and ACF50 everywhere else.

3 winters of commuting and still looks like new (when washed!)

 

[SMcGirr]

or buy an RT and let the Tupperware collect most of the crud.

 

[WindyChuffer]

All of the above and however you wash it get one of these to rid it of the water in the nooks and crannies. That is what really causes the corrosion. You have to remember that soap is an alkaline and the tap water is not ph neutral and any prolonged contact with a surface it is going to corrode. Just look at R1100 engines where there is a water trap and they always corrode there.

It was only a matter of time before the OCD Bike Dryer Brigade pitched up.

 

[K4rloSAMman]

He probably rides around with them panniers full of cleaning materials lol

Gone are the days when a bike was there to just be ridden................. I wonder how the guy with the polished panniers in the other thread copes at this time of year

Andres

 

[Deleted account 200502001]

I store my hosepipe away during winter to stop them freezing over, so I keep one of those hand pumped garden sprayers to hand to wash the bike down.

 

[UK Jon]

Am a bit OCD when comes to bike and car cleaning. Including drying time and sealing paint and plastics with a sealant, then a coat of wax or two can take a day. Always use the two bucket method and quality products - is expensive to start with, but your bike or car will thank you long term.
1. Thorough pre wash with pressure washer.
2. Layer with ph neutral snowfoam using pressure washer and snowfoam lance. Leave for about 10 minutes for snowfoam to drag off the crud. Whilst waiting you can agitate the nooks and crannies using a quality brush.
3. Rinse with pressure washer.
4. Repeat and snowfoam again.
5. Rinse
6. Wash using quality mit and two bucket method to avoid dragging particles of dirt/grit across paint/bodywork as will scratch otherwise.
7. Rinse with pressure washer.
8. Dry off with quality towel.
9. Use air blaster - or can use pet dryers as a cheaper alternative - to blast residue water away out from the fins/nooks/crannies etc.
10. Seal paintwork and plastics using appropriate sealants. Use sealant on rims as much easier to clean thereafter.
11. Apply one or two coats of quality wax.

Instead of using snowfoam, in winter I have used Sdoc100 - was really great product but not ph neutral, so although got bike clean also removed previous layers of sealant and wax.

There is more but get the basics right and you should be fine.

When first shown how to do it, thought it was mostly b*****s - but it really is all about the preparation.

Regards

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Wow

WTF is the '2 bucket method'

 

[tanneman]

It was only a matter of time before the OCD Bike Dryer Brigade pitched up.

I like a clean bike but I'll be f@cked if I have to dry every nook and crannie by hand. This makes drying so much easier, just a casual wipe with the cloth is all that's needed. After years of flat twin ownership (and keeping the buggers clean) this is the best way.

 

[FBF]

I clean my bike 4 times a year. Each time with SDOC 100 and jet wash (because I'm lazy) then polish and wax on the paint work and ACF50 everywhere else.

3 winters of commuting and still looks like new (when washed!)

How many times a year do you ride it and do you take it out in the wet

 

[matchbox]

Nice to know so many of us actually use our bikes through the winter months! Modern kit and modern machines and tyres are a big help and I 'keep my hand in' throughout the year. But a ride to-day with low sun and strong winds was a doubtful pleasure!
Seems cleaning is a very individual thing. Plenty of myth and plenty of good tips here. If you want a shiny bike you have to work hard. If it's a clean bike then alot can be done in a few minutes...