washing a black bike - any tips

Discussion in 'Australian Motorcycles' started by corks, Nov 3, 2005.

  1. corks

    corks Guest

    other than dont


    how do you wash one without it getting all those swilrs in the clearcoat and
    generaslly not looking crap after a while

    any tips and hints (sensible ones) appreciated

    ta

    corks
     
    corks, Nov 3, 2005
    #1
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  2. corks

    Dave E Guest

    For me, you have to start with the right washing equipment. Meguiar's make
    excellent carwash products, usually recommended by panel shops.

    Also, make sure you have a decent large foam pad that hasn't been dropped on
    the ground. Usually this means they have tiny bits of dirt embedded in
    them, at least for a while - perfect for big gougy swirls.

    The main thing as I've been taught (by a retentive dad who can wash a crusty
    40 yr old car into brand new condition...) is lots of water sprayed on the
    bike first and lots of suds. You should have no probs. Meguiars also make
    a great product called "Swirl Remover" - has worked on my cars and bikes
    over the years.

    HTH

    Cheers,
    Dave E
    ....and don't get caught with the hose thing if you're in Sydney. ;-)
     
    Dave E, Nov 3, 2005
    #2
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  3. corks

    David Guest

    black bike hey...wouldnt happen to be the black R6 seen at MDH now would
    it? ;)

    Dave R6
     
    David, Nov 3, 2005
    #3
  4. corks

    Dave E Guest

    ....if you really enjoyed washing your black bike, perhaps you might like to
    wash mine! It's a dirty bastard if ever I saw one.

    Cheers,
    Dave E ZZR600 => ST2 (stolen) => Filthy '03 XX
    (It will get a good bath before the Oxley. WHOOO-HOOO!)
     
    Dave E, Nov 3, 2005
    #4
  5. corks

    J5 Guest

    bah bikes get washed
    when you buy em
    time for rego
    when you sell them
    or when it rains :)
     
    J5, Nov 3, 2005
    #5
  6. corks

    Uncle Bully Guest

    Wash? What does that mean?
     
    Uncle Bully, Nov 3, 2005
    #6
  7. corks

    justAL Guest

    I just use Dobotex and LOTS of suds with a clean sponge and to wash it
    regulary.
    It will get scratched up in time so what you need to do after drying it is
    to polish it with a medium or fine cut cleaner, buff it up then apply a good
    carnuba wax and wax that off. It's about the only way to keep depth in
    colours like black, blues and reds.

    justAL
     
    justAL, Nov 3, 2005
    #7
  8. corks

    John Guest

    Sensible hints? here? Bwahahahahaha!


    Johno


    Beer mate?

    PS, paint it blue!
     
    John, Nov 3, 2005
    #8
  9. corks

    John Guest

    YR! (tm) - Like your bikes will ever get wet with the 1005 litre booze
    carrier on them!

    Johno


    Bundy mate?
     
    John, Nov 3, 2005
    #9
  10. corks

    john doe Guest

    buy your gf a string bikini that's one size too small and a good sized
    deck chair.
     
    john doe, Nov 3, 2005
    #10
  11. corks

    corks Guest

    you are wose than a woan, you know that :p


     
    corks, Nov 3, 2005
    #11
  12. corks

    G-S Guest

    It happened to me and my bike once... terrible experience!

    I was about to pass this truck full of stock when suddenly he swerves
    and this great 'wash' of piss and shit came out... *shudder*.

    I felt about as wanted as a BMW rider!


    G-S
     
    G-S, Nov 3, 2005
    #12
  13. corks

    ck Guest

    paint it white
     
    ck, Nov 3, 2005
    #13
  14. corks

    Shep© Guest


    You can't.Black is a PITA.Best you can do is wipe clean with some
    cheap citrus/oxy-based surface house cleaner from the super market to
    degrease.Then use any cheap polish with wax in it.I use cheap £1.25
    house furniture polish or if you want to get posh cheap Teflon based
    Car polish.

    Don't get sucked into,"Bike" or,"Car" special polishes at exorbitant
    prices,thay don't have anything that you most likely have around the
    house.

    TIP:

    Cheap liquid boot black stick,"Kiwi-Polish" is a brand works wonders
    on bike seats and none road contact areas of tyre side-walls.Dries
    quick,easy to apply and can be polished.

    Metal polish.
    Any cheap can you can get of ,"Brasso"type.I rarely pay more than
    £0.99p and lasts for ages(You can use toothpaste for this job and it
    prevents cavities<grin> :D


    Alloy cleaning:

    Toothbrush(sisters or brothers works well) and some cheap WD40 or
    cheaper copy for crevices mixed with some baking soda/powder.
    Alloy flat areas.WD40/Cheapy plus Sctochbrite/Pan scrub if
    corrosion/dull.
    Then some 500/600 wet and dry,then metal polish.

    Once done treat all areas of the bike with ACF50,
    http://www.worldwideaviation.co.uk/Motorcycles/Motorcycles User Reports.htm
    http://www.corrosion-control.com/acf50.html

    Except the brake disks<grin> :D
     
    Shep©, Nov 4, 2005
    #14
  15. corks

    alx Guest

    1. get a microfibre cloth (i use a Turtlewax Powerclean)

    2. get a squirt bottle

    3. get some Dobatex from shell servo ( 4litres around 20 bucks?)

    4. fill squirt with water and dobatex and spray/wipe bike...u dont need much
    water...unless bike is filthy




    I choose Polesoft Lockspam to fight spam, and you?
    http://www.polesoft.com/refer.html
     
    alx, Nov 4, 2005
    #15
  16. corks

    alx Guest

    Microfibre cloths are better than old foam sponges ...dirt less likely to
    get caught

    As for water, the less the better so electircal connectors etc dont get
    corroded. I get by with a squirt bottle and cloth but then again, I dont
    get out enough for my bike to get dirty.

    The filthiest part is the wheels... can clean these with just a squirt
    botttle/dobatex /water mix and the cloth. No hoses or buckets involved,
    apart from regular rinsing of the cloth to remove surplus grit.



    I choose Polesoft Lockspam to fight spam, and you?
    http://www.polesoft.com/refer.html
     
    alx, Nov 4, 2005
    #16
  17. corks

    glitch1 Guest

    Can or 2 of Bunnings Matt-black
    (on special this week) :))
    cheers
    pete
     
    glitch1, Nov 4, 2005
    #17
  18. Dunno

    Mines dark blue
     
    fulliautomatix, Nov 4, 2005
    #18
  19. corks

    Rocatanski Guest

    Sell it and don't buy a black bike next time.
     
    Rocatanski, Nov 4, 2005
    #19
  20. corks

    GB Guest

    Yeah mate, soap and water. Works fine for me.


    (That or take a netride to Mt White in the pissing down rain
    with Dave Ello and Pisshead)


    G
     
    GB, Nov 4, 2005
    #20
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