BlackMagic14
Needs a job
Posts: 2058
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posted January 01, 2007 11:21 PM
BIKE WASH ADVICE
I am looking for some advice on how you guys keep your bike so clean and dont put swirls
in the paint... I am so nuerotic about swirls in Black Paint I typically just pressure wash it
and dont touch it with anything but that doesnt get it really shiny, Any advice on what
products to use would be appreciated (i.e) wash mits that dont swirl the paint, types of
polish or soap and how to get the bugs off, Thanks guys
  
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BobC
Pro
Posts: 1736
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posted January 02, 2007 12:31 AM
 Edited By: BobC on 2 Jan 2007 00:34
I would say don't use a pressure washer on your bike. Water can force it's way into connectors and past bearing seals, into places it shouldn't. Maybe on a dirt bike but not your 14.
I wash gently by hand using a proper vehicle shampoo, not detergent from the kitchen. Greasy parts I clean off with kerosene before the wash.Then I leather off and polish. With polish only apply in one direction, a circular movement is what gives you the swirls you mention. Use only soft, clean, lint free cloth.
I forgot to add, if you wash the bike carefully by hand you might notice any small potential problems before they become serious, like loose panels or missing fastners.
____________
Candy Thunder Blue 2006 ZZR1400
Stock wheelbase
Max: 205.4 mph in 1.25 miles
2012 ZZR1400 in Golden Blazed Green
Brock CT Full System. etc
Max: 203.1 in 1 mile (so far)
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BlackMagic14
Needs a job
Posts: 2058
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posted January 02, 2007 01:01 AM
Specific Name of shampoo you reccomend? also what type of cloth do you mean like a t-
shirt or what?
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BlackMagic14
Needs a job
Posts: 2058
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posted January 02, 2007 01:02 AM
also what do you recommend to get bugs off the front fairing and the headlights
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aliveagain
Needs a life
Posts: 5033
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posted January 02, 2007 02:10 AM
quote:
also what do you recommend to get bugs off the front fairing and the headlights
I use a warm towel and let it sit for a few minutes on the area in question and then wipe off.
As far as wax,just don't use a spray as it will get everywhere you can't get at.there are products that take the swirl out and I don't believe that comes from waxing anyway.
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I wondered why the baseball kept getting bigger. Then it hit me.
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BobC
Pro
Posts: 1736
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posted January 02, 2007 04:33 AM
quote:
Specific Name of shampoo you reccomend? also what type of cloth do you mean like a t-
shirt or what?
Don't know if you get this where you live but I use Halfords Advanced Car Wash, just a capful in a bucket of warm water. Wash with a sponge and dry off with a chamoix leather.
The polish is Autoglym Super Resin Polish which I apply with a soft cotton rag, an old T shirt is fine and polish off with a soft yellow duster. Autoglm also make something called Extra Gloss Protection which looks like water but gives a glass-like show finish.
I'd rather be riding though.
____________
Candy Thunder Blue 2006 ZZR1400
Stock wheelbase
Max: 205.4 mph in 1.25 miles
2012 ZZR1400 in Golden Blazed Green
Brock CT Full System. etc
Max: 203.1 in 1 mile (so far)
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shawnski
Pro
Posts: 1809
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posted January 02, 2007 07:02 AM
i never wash my bike, don't ride in rain. i just wipe it with soft cloth each time i ride. clean the wheels with degreaser. hardley use any wax unless have a scratch.
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Bently
Needs a life
2012 14r In Blue and no Mods!
Posts: 5428
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posted January 02, 2007 07:45 AM
Warm towel is a good trick to get the bugs off, and you should never pressure wash bikes, it forces water into places you don't want water in. then I use a leaf blower to dry mine
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stevewfl
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted January 02, 2007 08:54 AM
suggestion: such google on "how-to wash a motorcycle"
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2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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blackbullet76
Pro
Posts: 1134
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posted January 02, 2007 10:19 AM
With my old bike (01 zx6r), I only hand washed it after being caught out in the rain. For a normal cleaning, I would use Meguiars detail spray with soft detail cloths. My paint always looked good and I will use this on my 14 as well.
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smiddy1
Expert Class
Posts: 155
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posted January 02, 2007 01:38 PM
Ok, I'm going to warn you to place pillows around your chair before I write this so you wont bust your head when you fall out laughing just like I did when I was told to do this. Murphy's Oil Soap! I shit you not! If your bike is dirty, It's the shit. In between washings I use plexus on the plastics and honda or suzuki spray polish on the tank. I have used the sprays all over. I don't like the sprays over the plexus. As far as the oil soap, just try it once and you will believe. I had the same thoughts you're having right now until I tried it. Also micro fiber cloths are the shit with the polish. I'm trying something new right now, Eagle One Spray and Wipe. I'll see how it works out.
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The Nitrous Advice Forum
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phytrax
Zone Head
Posts: 526
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posted January 02, 2007 02:33 PM
All I use is Turtle Wax spray wax. I don't even wash my bike. I just spray the turtle wax spray on a paper towel every couple of days and wipe anything that looks smudged or dirty. I have some minor swirl marks but pretty hard to notice. On a black bike, swirls are much easier to see, one of the reason I didn't get black, and they always look dirty. If you spray it on the rag instead of the bike, the spray wax is not messy and works great. The spray wax also gets off bugs suprisingly well and I think the film it leaves prevents the bugs from sticking completely. I use it on my helmet visor and I can frequently just wipe off bugs with my glove when they splat on me.
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Concourse14- Corbin Seat, Candy Apple Red Paint, Area P Slip-On
RIP+ZX-14- Brock's Gen3, Heli Risers, Corbin Bags, Corbin Seat and Oval Backrest (Burgandy Snakeskin and black alligator), Muzzys Frame Sliders, flies out, 18t front sprocket, PC3, Puig Double Bubble, Pirelli Diablo Strada's
KX450F - kickstand
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turboturtle
Parking Attendant
Posts: 22
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posted January 02, 2007 03:15 PM
All I ever use is Honda Spray Cleaner and Polish I use it on every thing. My bike is Black as well have some of my other bikes. Nevr gotten swirl marks on any of them. I always use a new rag every time I clean it. I buy the white rags in a large back at Cosco or Sams Club I think you can get them =other places as well Good luck and happy cleaning...
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Legal Disclaimer- I can't spell and I have poor grammar, Thanks Turtle =)
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fastestbusaaround
Needs a life
I eat Fish...
Posts: 7889
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posted January 02, 2007 03:21 PM
Edited By: fastestbusaaround on 2 Jan 2007 15:24
This stuff is great, fast and cheap too...all in one bug/tar remover and wax...been using it for years on my bikes and visors...
from their site...
"Bug & Tar Remover
Turtle Wax® Bug & Tar Remover is an innovative product formulation that removes bugs, tar, tree sap, and road grime from your car's finish and restores a deep gloss shine.
Product Benefits
* The gel formula clings to vertical surfaces, thus allowing it to penetrate for better cleaning performance.
* Not only will it clean, this product also leaves a shiny protective wax barrier that helps prevent future bugs and grime from sticking to exterior surfaces."
I prefer the 16 oz spray bottle...
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FYYFF!!!
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smokinZX14
Needs a life
Posts: 10197
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posted January 02, 2007 04:02 PM
S100 cleaner for the motor ....WD40 for the chain and wheel cleaning .... after that a good wax on wax off ...lol...
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Tampa Bay , FL .. Brocks Performance Dealer ..
Gen 2 ZX14R Best ET 8.43 , Best MPH 164.95
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KAWABUSAKID
Expert Class
Fast as my $$ will take me
Posts: 292
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posted January 02, 2007 04:34 PM
you guys might think this sounds crazy,....spray it with lemon pledge and a soft cotton cloth,been using it for over 10 years,works better than any spray quick detail out there on your paint and plastic,wheels,rubber and such
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Bently
Needs a life
2012 14r In Blue and no Mods!
Posts: 5428
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posted January 02, 2007 04:42 PM
Not crazy at all lemon pledge is the shit, my Dad had a show car that he did the car show circut with and it was Black and we used lemon pledge and one year alone he got best paint at 4 shows on the world of wheels tour. we use to cover the can so no one could see what we where using LOL.
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Flame On
Needs a life
Fuel Air & Spark
Posts: 17104
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posted January 02, 2007 05:30 PM
Synthetic polmers wax will get ride of the swirls. Meguiars nxt is the best I have used gives a great gloss. I also dont wash just spray bottle cleaners like black magic.
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80 GS1000 GT
06 ZX14
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stevewfl
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted January 02, 2007 09:02 PM
Debates on loading bikes on trucks, swirls in paint.... I suggest lets make the bikes better and not worry about the small stuff hehehe
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2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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zeexman
Expert Class
Posts: 415
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posted January 02, 2007 09:23 PM
I use Novus from Tap plastics. It is made just for plastics. Three different grades for different conditions.
http://www.novuspolish.com/
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BlackMagic14
Needs a job
Posts: 2058
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posted January 02, 2007 09:42 PM
So many great ideas now I really dont know what to use LMAO I think I will try the honda spray on polish seems like more of you have recommended it... should I hand wash the bike with a car wash soap and then use the polish or use the polish on the bike as is??
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BobC
Pro
Posts: 1736
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posted January 03, 2007 12:32 AM
quote:
Debates on loading bikes on trucks, swirls in paint.... I suggest lets make the bikes better and not worry about the small stuff hehehe
I think it just shows that winter's here.
____________
Candy Thunder Blue 2006 ZZR1400
Stock wheelbase
Max: 205.4 mph in 1.25 miles
2012 ZZR1400 in Golden Blazed Green
Brock CT Full System. etc
Max: 203.1 in 1 mile (so far)
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bigdtd
Needs a job
Interceptors
Posts: 4209
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posted January 03, 2007 05:36 AM
Edited By: bigdtd on 3 Jan 2007 05:37
Meguiar's purple wash when it needs it, Meguiar's detail spray for shine and protection on painted surfaces, ALWAYS use a clean cloth or towel, WD-40 to clean the chain(Motul lube after) and wheels. after a wash i use a blower and a ride to get the excess moisture off and wipe again.
My buddy uses lemon pledge on his RC51 and it looks great also.
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eklipse636
Needs a life
ZX-14
Posts: 6046
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posted January 04, 2007 08:20 AM
i have NEVER agreed with the stuff thats a spray and wipe, bc your wiping the dirt against the paint, therefore its gonna scratch it. the only way to stop scratches is to wash with a good soap and water. they say that stuff dont scratch, but think about what your doing. the only bad thing about using a degreaser on you wheels is to make CERTAIN you do not get the degreaser on the chain, bc it seems like it would mess up the o rings.... jmo on the bike wash.
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phytrax
Zone Head
Posts: 526
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posted January 04, 2007 10:33 AM
quote:
i have NEVER agreed with the stuff thats a spray and wipe, bc your wiping the dirt against the paint, therefore its gonna scratch it. the only way to stop scratches is to wash with a good soap and water. they say that stuff dont scratch, but think about what your doing. the only bad thing about using a degreaser on you wheels is to make CERTAIN you do not get the degreaser on the chain, bc it seems like it would mess up the o rings.... jmo on the bike wash.
Theoretically you're right, but most of the sandy dirt is on the lowers, where you won't notice a few swirl marks. My upper fairings, etc, stay pretty clean, so I'm just wiping off smudges and bugs, which don't make swirl marks.
____________
Concourse14- Corbin Seat, Candy Apple Red Paint, Area P Slip-On
RIP+ZX-14- Brock's Gen3, Heli Risers, Corbin Bags, Corbin Seat and Oval Backrest (Burgandy Snakeskin and black alligator), Muzzys Frame Sliders, flies out, 18t front sprocket, PC3, Puig Double Bubble, Pirelli Diablo Strada's
KX450F - kickstand
>>> MySpace --CLICK-- <<<
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