How do you keep your bike looking good?

marko · Post by **marko** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 9:43 pm

.I don't ride it.......looks as good as the day it left the factory

Oh........Except for the dent in the tank where my foot hit it.

dilligaf · Post by **dilligaf** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 11:14 pm

Pro Honda Spray Cleaner and Polish..on the bike and helmet.

jonothan · Post by **jonothan** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 2:54 am

Heine Gericke bike cleaner.

You spray it on (a cold bike) then go and have a cup of tea and watch Men and Motors for a bit. Then you use a paintbrush to work it into the worst areas, like underneath in the sump finning, then hose it off.

My bike still looks like new.

Never thought about the Mr Sheen though. The UK version doesn't have that happy man pictured on the side. Maybe it's not as good over here.

Jonothan

bikerdudeQC · Post by **bikerdudeQC** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 3:56 am

I've always been afraid that wiping down a bike without rinsing the dust etc. off would cause scratches. Am I just wrong? So many of you seem to just be using the spray. Is it that the amount of spray you use is enough to get the bike "wet" and avoid the scratching issue? I'd love your insights.

Thanks,

Justin

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 8:46 am

You are right about scratching...the spray makes it all go soft but you need to be careful when you wipe and not rub...road grime and brake dust is ok but mud a grit needs to be hosed off first.

If it's really grotty I spray and let it soak for a minute and carefully wipe before a second spray that can be polished off with a clean rag/cloth.

David

Post by **boxermania** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 10:58 am

I will venture to say that Orange Glo is Mr. Sheen's counterpart in the states. I will be cleaning the bike this pm and will use Orange Glo and report on the results.........

Post by **KHaynes** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 4:55 pm

I've never used Mr. Sheen for the bike.
Instead, I use Mr. Haynes and water with some washing detergent. I clean the bikeafter every ride of any significant distance. I dry the main parts with a chamois and then use a towel to finish the drying.
An extended front guard on both my RT and the GS helps to keep them clean.

marko · Post by **marko** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 5:31 pm

DJ put me on to Mr Sheen after i kept commenting that his bike looked brand new all the time.
It is now the only cleaner i use as it gets bodywork, wheels, plastic looking fantastic............we love you Mr Sheen!!

The only water that gets on my bike is rain water during a ride!

malcolmm · Post by **malcolmm** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 10:13 pm

Since DJ gave me the tip about using Mr Sheen I swear by it. In fact, being a silicone furniture polish I also use the Aldi brand product, which is much cheaper and just as good.

I clean my bike after every ride (as Keith says... "of any significance"). I use it on everything. It leaves the saddle beautiful and the tyre walls immaculate. Honestly, it's the best all purpose cleaner there is.

I've found a toothbrush is what the doctor ordered for the engine fin work. Naturally, moistenned with a little Mr Sheen.

Great for my boots and helmet too!

When I'm done, I bring it inside and clean my stainless steel splashback and the rest of the kitchen/lounge... well I don't clean them as often... but for some reason I'm particularly fussy when it comes to cleaning my motorcycle. I too, contantly gets encouraging comments.

I'm glad DJ gave me the tip after buying my R and joining this forum.

Thanks DJ

Post by **HiOSilver** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 3:47 am

DJ,

On the bottom picture you show a plastic pump spray bottle that appears to be the "Potpourri" sented version of Mr. Sheen. Is that a personal endorsement from you? Have you had compliments about your motorcycle smelling springtime fresh?

(Your bike looks fantastic!)

greer · Post by **greer** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 5:08 am

When my bike is so bad I have to take the hose to it, I'm always impressed with the way S100 works. We use the Honda stuff for touch up; the last I bought though set me back over $6. Sarah

bikerdudeQC · Post by **bikerdudeQC** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 7:17 am

thanks for the tip DJ! I'll give it a go next time.

Acacia · Post by **Acacia** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 7:22 am

What are the contents of this Mr Sheen?

Any silicones?

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 7:40 am

What are the contents of this Mr Sheen?

Any silicones?

I don't know...I'm sure it's a secret...and about silicones...my guess is yes.

The good and bad of the silicones is the good is that it gets in all the nooks and cranies and protects against rust and corrosion...and leaves a slippery surface making the next clean easyer...but the bad is that it gets into the paint making it harder for spray painters do do a touch up job...so I've been told.

Is there anything else bad about using silicones???

DJ

darthrider · Post by **darthrider** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 8:12 am

Is there anything else bad about using silicones???

Britney Spears swears by them...they must be OK.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 10:25 am

darthrider wrote:
Is there anything else bad about using silicones???
Britney Spears swears by them...they must be OK.

True... see this expose (if you haven't already):

http://www.liquidgeneration.com/poptoon ... reasts.asp

Post by **scottybooj** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 2:32 pm

DJ. send us some bottles puhleaze????

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 3:04 pm

DJ. send us some bottles puhleaze????

I'm not sure about sending pressure cans through the mail..I'm looking into finding out if it's sold in the US under a different name..I'll let u know.

DJ

Post by **mistercindy** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 9:18 pm

I'm afraid I'm one of those guys that almost never washes his bike. I wash the screen and lights, and that's about it.

Post by **new2BMW** » Thu Sep 29, 2005 8:23 pm

Hee hee! DJ polishes his helmet!

Is there anything else bad about using silicones???

The only thing I can say is that silicone and epoxy resin curing catalysts don't go together. The fumes of wet silicone attack the catalysts and don't allow them to react with the resin for a cure, and vice versa.

This is only bad if you are applying one while the other is still wet. For example, if you applied some type of resin based adhesive to any part of your bike, wait until it cures completely before aplying any silicone based cleaners or sealants. Once either one is cured, there are no issues.

DJ is right about the paint problem. If you used a silicone based cleaner, poliosher or sealer on your paint, make sure and remove it completely before trying to apply paint touch ups. This applies to normal car wax also.

BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

How do you keep your bike looking good?

Cleaning

Mr Sheen, great for my boots and helmet too!