Major Washing.. How do you?

[T Mack]

So i should not whip out the hose on my dog?
Thats how i used to wash my Harleys.....
My dog has a couple hundred miles on her and she is gonna need a real good cleaning real soon... When weather permits...
Hope when i wash her i don't find any leaks or anything else wrong...
I still need to get a print out from the? you guys know what im talking about...So i can find out how hard this guy rode this Dog...

Anyways no harm in soap and water is there? to get most of dirt off before i start to polish her?

 

[lee]

I hose mine put some others don't - I've never had a problem with it but you do need to be careful - don't fire the water directly at the hand controls, underneath the tank etc - you should also do the shrink wrap / dielectric grease thing - I also blow dry my bike thoroughly with a blaster - some use leaf blowers and the like

 

[Gas Man]

detail spray, diaper towels, and lots of polish. No need for water.

 

[lee]

what spray do you use Chris?

 

[lee]

sorry I should rephrase that....what spray does Uma use Chris?

 

[T Mack]

detail spray, diaper towels, and lots of polish. No need for water.

That seems like it would take for ever like that?
I guess i wont know unless i try it....
Okay so what kind of spray? That i can go get locally? Murrays? Auto Zone?
And the diaper towels? i guess since i have a 11 year old a one on the way i should know where to get these? but i dont!!!!
Thanks.......

 

[lee]

I don't even know what a diaper towel is

 

[T Mack]

I don't even know what a diaper towel is

Me either!!!!!:zzsorry: :zzsorry: :zzsorry: :zzsorry: :zzsorry: :zzsorry: :zzsorry:

 

[KnotSo]

I used the SEARCH function and found many threads on this topic, here is but one:
http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/show-shine/3521-2-best-tools-washing-your-bike.html

 

[chacha]

I've used S100 and a hand rag for the tough spots. Be safe around the electrical bits and you won't have a problem. Probably washed her a dozen times without a problem and ridden her through major down pours.

 

[orangek9]

I use Wizards power clean when my dog gets really dirty. But most of the time time I use a spray detailer and clean micro fiber towels.

 

[Mickeetwo]

I use the Wizards spray and shine and microfiber towels. Never have used a water hose.

 

[Gas Man]

Wizards spray is good, and I also use Maguiers detail spray as well.

diaper towels are just something different than terry cloth... like the cloth diapers your mom may have wrapped you in as a baby. You can buy them at auto stores and walmart (where I get mine)

 

[orangek9]

When I wash it with the hose. I use my leaf blower to get most of the water off then finish drying with towels.

 

[PROFLYER]

S100 all the billet below the tank (I try not to spray the controls, just wipe) and then use the mr clean autodry car wash. I soap her up, rub her down good (paint first, then motor/wheels etc.) and then rise. I then turn it to the filtered rinse and rise it all (again, don't hit the controls!) and that baby dries spot free (it's black!) I then hit it with some quick detailer so it's nice and shiney and wet looking...and after a hard dirty ride I hit the spray and wash to get the nasty stuff off the front of the motor and wheels etc. I've never had a problem washing it and frankly it's not good to just wipe the visible stuff off, you gotta get in the cracks too

 

[Fibersnake]

I wash mine all the time also. Main thing is to be carefull around the hand controls (usually put a ziplock bag around them and tape shut, do not carried away with the pressure wash, just nice non-pressure flow off the hose. Also use the S-100 to break things looses and if there is some heavy stuff, either clean micro-fiber of high quality sponge that is new.

Oh like ProFlyer, I also use the Mr. Clean for the water and rinse end, it has a filter that keeps the water spots down and the drying spray, makes for easy spot free drying with just a quick wipe down with a MicroFiber.

It is good to also go to the How To Folders and give the old di-electric greasing of the connectors once or twice a year (just be careful around the EHC connectors!!!!).

The detailer spray is good for a quick touch up when it is not real dirty and for a great wax, go with a high grade Carnuba.

Some never put water to theirs, but to be honest with some of the rides I and many other have shared, I cna not imagine that they would be able to get the crud from wet roads off with out a good water wash down. Maybe they are lucking and never end up riding many miles in the rain.

I will say that after last week, with the crud from our trip that was picked up on the roads in WV and Maryland, wiping with just cloths and detailers would have scratched the hell out of my bike or having to soak it in gallons of detailing cleaner.

Would be curious of the 12 riders that joined me last week, how many ended up washing with water and soap or was able to get it clean with just the detailer and coths.

 

[jimizee028]

i also wash mine all the time,however after being done with the water i use the power of 2 industrial compressors to blow dry it,125 pds of air quickly drys the bike in all nooks and crannys...knock wood i have never had a problem yet either

 

[T Mack]

i also wash mine all the time,however after being done with the water i use the power of 2 industrial compressors to blow dry it,125 pds of air quickly drys the bike in all nooks and crannys...knock wood i have never had a problem yet either

That's what i want to hear..

 

[Dakotabos]

I wash mine with water and blow dry it by riding it at 70 mph

 

[chacha]

Fibersnake asked;

Would be curious of the 12 riders that joined me last week, how many ended up washing with water and soap or was able to get it clean with just the detailer and coths.

Washed with S100 followed by a "Dakotabos" speed dry. I still have some crud behind the belt guard...