gsbiker
Registered user
Best way to clean when you find stains, spots etc on them after a wash? Autosolve will just cause shinny spots!
GS Metal Paniers?
- Thread starter gsbiker
- Start date
I rub mine over with ACF50 
gsbiker
Registered user
I rub mine over with ACF50
I havn't used all my panniers since a year ago as pictured. A couple have what looks like salt spots all over which is very strange. Mind you they have been on a shelf in a cold garage through the winter. Not sure ACF50 will clean that up?
It's been a while since I've cleaned mine 
....
....but last time I had some ingrained stains I think I gently rubbed autosol in the direction of the brushing using my fingers, then polished it out.
You're right though that too brisk rubbing will shine them up rather than just clean them up, so go gently. I have in the past gently used one of those non scratchy wash pads loaded with Autosol used in the direction of the brushing too.
I think it's all relative....cos they're not going to look like new forever...or for very long if you use the bike.....especially after you've dragged your boots on them getting on!
........but last time I had some ingrained stains I think I gently rubbed autosol in the direction of the brushing using my fingers, then polished it out.
You're right though that too brisk rubbing will shine them up rather than just clean them up, so go gently. I have in the past gently used one of those non scratchy wash pads loaded with Autosol used in the direction of the brushing too.
I think it's all relative....cos they're not going to look like new forever...or for very long if you use the bike.....especially after you've dragged your boots on them getting on!
Stevie73
Registered user
Brasso
a lot less aggressive than autosol.
Cleans em up nice
a lot less aggressive than autosol. Cleans em up nice
gsbiker
Registered user
It's been a while since I've cleaned mine
....but last time I had some ingrained stains I think I gently rubbed autosol in the direction of the brushing using my fingers, then polished it out.
You're right though that too brisk rubbing will shine them up rather than just clean them up, so go gently. I have in the past gently used one of those non scratchy wash pads loaded with Autosol used in the direction of the brushing too.
I think it's all relative....cos they're not going to look like new forever...or for very long if you use the bike.....especially after you've dragged your boots on them getting on!
I know what you mean about draggin your boots on them, it's almost impossible not too!
I have some rough satin pads which are rougher than those green pads you use when washing dishes. Actually, correction, when your wife uses them to clean dishes! I had wondered what the metal would go like if rubbed down to satin them up (fine scratches in certain direction). The other though would be to get them painted? Either way not good to maintain!
gsbiker
Registered user
Brasso
Cleans em up nice
Do they go shinnny with brasso?
Stevie73
Registered user
Nope, just clean...
Not tried Brasso, but willing to give it a try.
Some of us like to keep our bikes nice and clean whilst others like the 'well used' look.
Personally, I'm in the former group and this includes my expensive
(no free panniers when I bought mine! 
) metal panniers.It also helps with any future resale value.
Mike
gsbiker
Registered user
For me biking includes riding and keeping the bike clean. I actually like mine looking like it's just come off the production line!
Getting back to cleaning the panniers. Well taking some advise posted here I used Brasso on the lids! WARNING, it does shine them up and remove the satin dull finish. So much so I've had to do all three panniers so they match. I wasn't sure that I liked the shinnier look so I used a small satin pad and rubbed away on the rear side of the L/H pannier! Oooops
! You can never get the lines to look perfect so I polished them out! Now the pannier is shinnier than the others with a hint of scratches from the pad whicxh won't polish out without turning the pannier into a mirror! I tried a sample metal polish on the panniers also and ended up autosolving the whole lot! Now I have really shinney panniers and managed to nearly match them to the shiniest pannier!
There's nothing like a new set of panniers. However as the paniers dull and stain I think autosolving them actually makes them look quite good.
Getting back to cleaning the panniers. Well taking some advise posted here I used Brasso on the lids! WARNING, it does shine them up and remove the satin dull finish. So much so I've had to do all three panniers so they match. I wasn't sure that I liked the shinnier look so I used a small satin pad and rubbed away on the rear side of the L/H pannier! Oooops
! You can never get the lines to look perfect so I polished them out! Now the pannier is shinnier than the others with a hint of scratches from the pad whicxh won't polish out without turning the pannier into a mirror! I tried a sample metal polish on the panniers also and ended up autosolving the whole lot! Now I have really shinney panniers and managed to nearly match them to the shiniest pannier!There's nothing like a new set of panniers. However as the paniers dull and stain I think autosolving them actually makes them look quite good.
gsbiker
Registered user
Personally, I'm in the former group and this includes my expensive
Yes it's not as if these opannier were cheap! around £1100 - £1200 so looking after them is important.
gsbiker
Registered user
I must admit I only tend to use mine every now and them. Mostly just the top box. However, mine were sat in a cold damp garage and somehow were stained by salt spots so improving the look of them is important for me otherwise my clean bike looks tatty with them on.
The Nutter
Registered user
Thank God for Varios!!!!
Stretchamus
Registered user
I've just used WD 40 on mine since they were new and wiped the excess off with a soft cloth 
Mind you, they dont half keep well on the Top of my Wardrobe
Mind you, they dont half keep well on the Top of my Wardrobe
gsbiker
Registered user
I've just used WD 40 on mine since they were new and wiped the excess off with a soft cloth
Mind you, they dont half keep well on the Top of my Wardrobe
I think I did use ACF50 once, can't remember now? I also notice how easily the boxes stain. Even after washing, if there is any surface water spots that dry in you end up with whit spots which are hard to remove. Autosolve I think is the last resort but the end result is nice. I'll take a photo later.
You might want to try Auto Balm.
http://www.elkparts.com/images/saltspray.jpg
It is a non abrasive polish that protects.
If your panniers are now too shinny, it will dull them slightly.
Mike
http://www.elkparts.com/images/saltspray.jpg
It is a non abrasive polish that protects.
If your panniers are now too shinny, it will dull them slightly.
Mike
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