Dont use car wash engine cleaner!!

[Kiwirider]

Hi gents.
This happened to me a few months ago. I had my bike all ready to ride up to a bike rally and thought I might put it in the show while I was up there. Just before I left, I got hit by the only rain storm in 200 miles (I checked). Didnt want to be late, so after the big rain passed, I hit the road. As you would expect the bike got pretty dirty which I wasn't tooo worried about, but thought Id give her a quick rinse off at the car wash. I was only washing the engine and wheels.

Ok, now remembering I had this bike looking pretty good, with lots of polished aluminum. I thought id get some of the road grime off with the "Engine Cleaner" (the green crap) setting on the washer then blast it of.
Do Not Do This!!!
What ever chemical they used, INSTANTLY dulled engine and fins to as if they had been under water for a month. :angry::bang:

Now I have to start again on the engine and fins. Its quite a deep polish needed too. My Never Dull didnt even make a dent in it. It didnt dull anything else on the bike, only the engine and fins (the hardest parts to clean), possibly because they were hot/warm.

Just a heads up.
Safe Riding All.

 

[francoblay1]

Hi gents.
This happened to me a few months ago. I had my bike all ready to ride up to a bike rally and thought I might put it in the show while I was up there. Just before I left, I got hit by the only rain storm in 200 miles (I checked). Didnt want to be late, so after the big rain passed, I hit the road. As you would expect the bike got pretty dirty which I wasn't tooo worried about, but thought Id give her a quick rinse off at the car wash. I was only washing the engine and wheels.

Ok, now remembering I had this bike looking pretty good, with lots of polished aluminum. I thought id get some of the road grime off with the "Engine Cleaner" (the green crap) setting on the washer then blast it of.
Do Not Do This!!!
What ever chemical they used, INSTANTLY dulled engine and fins to as if they had been under water for a month. :angry::bang:

Now I have to start again on the engine and fins. Its quite a deep polish needed too. My Never Dull didnt even make a dent in it. It didnt dull anything else on the bike, only the engine and fins (the hardest parts to clean), possibly because they were hot/warm.

Just a heads up.
Safe Riding All.

Yup!!!!!

Always wash it with a cold engine. Also because the quick drop in temperature change can be very harmful to gaskets, etc. !!!

 

[Ghost Rider]

I developed an intimate relationship with Mothers polish after a similar event... I'll agree it sucks to learn the hard way what products and methods DONT agree with polished aluminum....solved by a soft cloth wrapped around a paint stirring stick and a weekend of my life I'll never get back.... at least it isn't an unreparable mistake.

 

[Mickeetwo]

Sorry to hear Dean.....sounds like your going to be busy for a while.

 

[TapioK]

Been there, done that! Hell of a work to make her shine again....

 

[Kiwirider]

Yup, Once it warms up a little. Ill get into it. Itll take some aggressive rubbing to get it to where I can actually start polishing.
O well, who needs week ends anyway.

 

[KnotSo]

Good tip to remember...:2thumbs:

 

[pauldeepsea]

Yup, Once it warms up a little. Ill get into it. Itll take some aggressive rubbing to get it to where I can actually start polishing.
O well, who needs week ends anyway.

Before you polish the fins start the bike up and let the engine warm up a little. Then start to polish!