It's so long since I had a bike with GRP/plastic bodywork I can't remember using anything special or just T-Cut/Turtle Wax and equivalent other brands. Solvol Autosol/Duraglit for brightwork. Now I have a Ducati with dire warnings in the 'user manual' about using wrong types (though I'm surprised it doesn't simply advise taking it to a Ducati Service Centre for cleaning!) Beyond how to use the above materials, I know very little e.g. what they're based on. I could spend a couple of days researching them and maybe end up using what I've already got, anyway. Recommendations would be gratefully received! (I've seen posts recommending 'Hob Brite' for cleaning air filters - but there were no oven cleaners when I looked in Sainsbury's recently). I never liked using 'Gunk' but I'd be especially leery of using such on the great unknown beneath the tank. What do you guys recommend for getting road grime off? Notably, I suppose, from radiators. Thanks.
I have used the Autoglym engine cleaner without issue on the naked Alloy parts. i also had to dig out a really Dirty lower rad from my 1199, and used Muck Off MTB spray and let it soak and then agitate with a small toothbrush in the direction of the fins. for plastics i use Mr Sheen since about 1990 with out any side effects and its cheap...
I tend to use a mixture. autoglym. Maguires. Auto finesse. Dodo juice. Sviss vax. Wowows etc detailing world is a good place to look
I use S-doc cleaner all over and avoid Muck-Off as the latter from experience is very acidic and if left too long does etch the material you are cleaning, esp brightwork. I use Maguires for the paintwork, perfect but pricey. Whilst we are here, I use Belgom on bare aluminium for a super shiny finish, as it contains a wax to which help staves off oxidisation for a much longer than something like Autosol.
I tend to use AutoBrite and Chemical Bros products for cleaning and polishing. For engine and plastics (unpainted) i use GT85. I use brake cleaner for any gunk on the bike (GT85 helps too) and use Putoline chain degreaser and ceramic lube. Here's my mates V2 that I cleaned for him..... Dirty slag Citrus pre-wash and snow foam to get rid of the all road grime Now a garage queen
If you have Tcut put it in the bin, it's just too aggressive, ideal for inter paint layer use but will remove a layer of lacquer or paint in no time at all.
This was my favourite part of a ride out Coming back and cleaning my Dizzy Heink Gerrick degreaser Caranuba wax for plastics and good dash of WD40 everywhere else apart from brakes
I've been riding for 30 years and have used them all, in every environment on numerous bikes. This is what I have learned after pissing away a fortune on all the fancy potions and lotions over that time. Initial degrease - Muc-off spray on de-greaser, sometimes requires agitation but is pretty good, £3/lt bulk buy. For chains and stubborn grease I use any brake cleaner, they are all the same anyway. Initial wash - any decent bike/car shampoo, they are all the same anyway! Turny-oily-things - ACF50/ Kroil (both aircraft grade lubricants) all day long. If not, WD40 GT85 etc Polish - Pledge, comes up reet pretty! Other furniture polishes are available, try not to get carried away and spend more than a pound per tin. Really oily stuff - Kerosene, bulk buy off Ebay, about £20/20lt. Stick it in any plant sprayer pot type thing and away you go. I don't do the big clean after every ride anymore, waste of time and money and contributes to OCD! Just a debug and a wipe down, brings 'em all back nice after an initial deeep clean 3-4 times a year with all the above. To support my recommendation - My 2006 KTM 990 ADV has 51 000 miles on it and folks just can't believe it when they lay eyes on her, that's mostly done care of the above products...
Tell me, DB, do you no longer have that? Your profile says you don't have a bike, but ride a Monster? And, I didn't think Monsters were faired. Anyway, I think the shot of my Triumph shows that I know how to make a bike shiny. But I can't imagine getting the depth of gleam you've got there. (I sprayed most of my bikes myself and generally went overboard - right until it got through to me blemishes I was devoting days to removing, no-one else could see!)
I’ve been riding legally for 47 years in a few days. Sniffed all of the cleaning/solvent products on sale. Forget the shine man just enjoy the highs. Read my posts ain’t done me no harm, has it? Well has it? Eh?
I don’t have any bikes now. Oh I don’t bother with my profile I’m too busy keeping you lot in check I used Goldclass shampoo on the bikes and caranuba wax to polish up. Loved getting that great shine on paintwork I don’t think I went fast enough to get them dirty. PS I never rode the monster I bought it after my Dizzy was written off but never got back on a bike again. I would have needed a constant companion to manoeuvre it out of my back garden. Shoulder injuries didn’t help Then Multiple Myeloma came along and I now don’t have the strength to ride
Vanity and sanity. All that glitters does not go! 23 years ago. Bike before and being delivered back home after electrical loom burn out. The young boy is now 37 and a consultant geologist. He never wanted a bike but loved being dropped off at school on it! Real street cred amongst the Volvo brigade.The handsome man is even better looking
The handsome man is holding the bike on the left. The other chap was crapping himself after getting the bike on the trailer and then having to take off the straps. I gave him a tip. Don’t buy a Ducati!
