Jet wash

Jet washes - good or bad?

Despite all my intentions of only riding in the dry, even at 1pm today
with wonderful Sunshine, it's still so cold that the frost has turned to
damp patches, which remain in shady areas. And as the bike is new, I
can't help but take it out when I've got some time off. Fortunately I
haven't seen the gritters out my way, yet.

So, I've heard bad things about jet washers - that they strip the paint
from your wheels and cause untold amounts of damage (despite never
seeing any similar damage to our old 4x4). But then I've also seen them
used in bike mags (along with steam cleaners) without trouble.

So - use 'em or leave 'em alone? And are the home type pressure washers
any better (Halfords / Karcher / etc) and if so, which is worth buying?
As an aside, are those products like FS365 anti-corrosion spray any more
useful than snake-oil?

 

FS365 is superb and does what it says on the tin.

 

Keep it away from the radiator though.

 

Lucky you; I've seen gritters out already in Herts, Beds and Suffolk.

The key thing is to avoid blasting the electrics and anywhere there's a
bearing involved; wheels, swinging-arm, head-race, etc. That said, I've
seen dealers using them with almost no regard for this.

Some of the best advice I've had on the anti-corrosion thing is to sling
a bucket of *cold* water over the bike as soon as you get home.

Your call, bearing in mind the above.

No idea which is the best but Karcher are almost a household name.

FS365 is good stuff as you'd expect given the manufacturer. Can't
comment on any others 'cause I ain't used 'em.

 

BTDT and been pinned under the bike on the sheet of ice the morning after.

 

1. Hose down bike on drive (using "shower" nozzle, rather than "jet");

2. Put bike in garage;

3. Put salt/grit on drive.

HTH

 

Yeah, yeah, we can all be clever with hindsight

It actually occurred to me what I had done just the bike went down, but
I wasn't quick enough with the salt.

 

Exactly what the fotofella says: I sprayed Elly's CBR6 with FS365 two
or three times a week as she used it right through winter and there
was no visible corrosion afterwards, despite only having cleaned it
properly twice over that time. It rocks, and thanks to dwb for
suggesting it in the first place - and to Scottoil for supplying a
litre of it FOC at the BMF with a Scottoiler as a marketing ploy: it
certainly worked.

 

I got the 5 litre refill container, and the front and underside of my car
gets a treatment every week too.

 

And Bucks and Berks last night. Just as well really, temp gauge in the
car reckoned -3 this morning when I went to work.

 

Mine had -3 last night on leaving SO's in Bracknell. By the time I got
home (Harrow, approx 30 miles) it was +4!

 

And Bucks and Berks last night. Just as well really, temp gauge in the
car reckoned -3 this morning when I went to work.[/QUOTE]

Glos - managed -5.5 on the way to work this morning.

 

Still 20C outside. I've switched the AC to "heat" rather than "cool"
to maintain 22C inside.

 

ogden said...

-2 on the way towards the A1M this morning.

 

I told you it was a bastard to clean, didn't I?

Oh and yes, <bear mode> FS365 rocks </bear mode>.

Not wishing to keep going on about it, the Kawasaki's not built anywhere
near as well as the Beemer or the Harley. Taking the Zed out on salted
roads I'd want to absolutely fucking drench it in FS365 a couple of
times (and leave it for the water to evaporate) before going anywhere.
--
Gyp BOTAFOT#99, BotToS#4, UKRMT5BB, DIAABTCOD#28, HYPO#4
'81 R65RS - SORN but not forgotten
'89 R80RT - intercontinental ballistic tourer
'97 XLH1200 - weapon of muff disruption
'04 Z750 - oh look, something from this millennium
Take out the chemical loo to reply

 

22 is too warm for me. 18-19 is ideal.

 

Glos - managed -5.5 on the way to work this morning.[/QUOTE]

Beats me. only -3C, but, with only 20 yards visibility at about 10AM
this morning. Made driving "fun"

 

I use a 30 quid B&Q one - now. I have an expensive high flow rate one that I
used on enduro bikes but I bought the cheapy one to clean bicycles.

It (the cheapy one) doesn't have the power to penetrate seals but it does do
the business on surfaces. I spray the bike with a bit of Mucoff and then
wash it with the cheapy pressure washer. Any surfaces that need a bit more
attention get a bit more Mucoff and a brush with a paint brush - then, more
of a go with the pressure washer, dry the bike and put it away.

John