Deep Clean

[colinw]

I commute 50 miles a day on my gs and ride it all year round, I need to winterise the bike and this year I am going to use AC50 spray.

I do not want to seal in any dirt or corrosion and so want to give the bike a thourough clean, I am looking for ideas over what chemicals/brushes/hose/washers etc you all use, also is it worth taking off the tank and giving the servos and chassis a good clean and sealing.

 

[Taff]

When I was selling my first 1150 GSA I took it down to a local valet company.

Cost me £25 - £30 IIRC, but I can honestly say it was in showroom condition after they had it for a couple of days.

I could have spent a week cleaning it, and even then it wouldn't have looked as good as this.

 

[AndyW]

Just for the record Taff do you have the name of the company/location?

Finding a valeting company that does bikes seems a good idea otherwise be prepared to spend a few hours yourself Colin.
Arm yourself with a variety of different shaped brushes to get into nooks and crannies (a few different sized bottle brushes are great;-), motorcycle cleaner (AutoGlym best, Hein Gericke almost as good and cheaper).........and loads of time and elbow grease.
Sdoc 100 Corrosion Protectant is also good, you may not want to use ACF50 everywhere as it becomes very sticky/messy with time. Scottoiler FS365 is also good for regular use but washes off.

Cleaning Spoked Wheels

Cleaning your bike :-0

How to become a Cleaning Freak...

 

[PatchGS1150]

I cleaned mine completely with ONE product S Doc 100 Power Gel

CLICK HERE - to see the fruits of one hours labour

Spray on - agitate - wash of with a jet of water

Great product

Phil

 

[swissrob]

best wax i have found is called collinite 476s it comes in little tubs and can be bought via ebay or many online car detailing shops in the UK - it lasts about 6 months to a year and is detergent proof - far better than that meguiars bollox.

 

[coyotedave]

Another for S DOC 100 POWER GEL. Also Motul Shine&Go Silicon clean, very good on black plastic, Tank sides, mud gaurds, mirrors.

 

[brucewayne]

I do 50 mile a day through winter.

Just spray mine with Hein Gericke cleaner, leave 15 mins, brush and wash off.
Then when it's dry I paint a light coat of ACF50 on the bits that need it, bearing in mind this stuff creeps.

Do this every couple of weeks, takes about an hour.

 

[davem108]

WD40 IS A SIMPLE SOLUTION

For years I have sprayed my bike everywhere with WD40 after rinsing off the salt and crap with a hose sprayer. Once the whole bike has a coat just gently rub with a soft cloth. Keep it off the brake discs if you can. The bike gleams after and is well protected for the next trip. The exhaust will smoke a little for the first minute after starting, but that's it. Sorted.

 

[Schtum]

SWMBO recently came home from a day's shopping in Edinburgh with a wee present for me.

http://www.lakeland.co.uk/sonic-scrubber-pro-detailer-brush/F/keyword/sonic/product/21569

The brushes probably won't penetrate into the depths of the cylinder finning but for everywhere else, they should significantly reduce the effort required for "detailing" the bike. So much so that my bike might even look as clean as DavyF's soon. Shame that just buying the brushes and leaving them in the shed won't have the desired effect....

 

[Slowdown]

The BMW off road school use Castrol GreenTec, which you can buy at Halfords. It's recommended by BMW too. It's very good, but expensive.

As soon as you spray the bike with ACF-50 it'll become dirtier than a stripper in a mud wrestling pit as I wouldn't worry about 'sealing the dirt in'

Anyroads, I think oily dirt's easier to clean off.

 

[Taff]

Just for the record Taff do you have the name of the company/location?

I just contacted one of the local Valet businesses. The first one I asked said he would do it and he seemed a genuine guy.

Spick & Span Valeting Service
Old Llangunnor Rd, Carmarthen, Dyfed SA31 2BD
Tel: 01267 222197

I have no idea what they use to clean it, but it was £25 well spent.

 

[AndyW]

SWMBO recently came home from a day's shopping in Edinburgh with a wee present for me.................

How many DAYS does it take to clean your bike with those?!

I just contacted one of the local Valet businesses. The first one I asked said he would do it and he seemed a genuine guy.

Spick & Span Valeting Service
Old Llangunnor Rd, Carmarthen, Dyfed SA31 2BD
Tel: 01267 222197

I have no idea what they use to clean it, but it was £25 well spent.

Thanks..........worth keeping in mind.

Hein Gericke FS365 offer....
Free 1 Ltr FS365 at Hein Gericke
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=166011