How do you keep your bike looking good?

[DJ Downunder]

For me..hardly a week goes by that I don't get asked how I keep my bike looking so good.

My bike is four years old now and I continue to get comments like..new bike hey?..or.."when did you pick it up?"..just yesterday someone came up to me and said "Have you opened her up yet?".

When I tell people how old it is they say "So you don't ride it much then" or "Gees you must spend more time cleaning it than riding it" I hate that.

The truth is I ride almost every day..I miss maybe five days a year..and that's only because of very heavy rain..I avoid that if I can.

My trick to keeping it looking like new is that I almost never wash it..I've only washed my bike with water only a few times since I got it..and that's only because it was very muddy.

I give my bike a quick going over once every few weeks...some times once every few months..but I have a special helper..a little man in a can...yes Mr Sheen...yes it's a furnitue polish...it's the best..I've used it for years (more than 20 yrs now) on my Mt bikes and bicycles.

I usually just spray on and wipe off...if it's really dirty I do it twice..spray on and wipe a second time with a clean cloth..one small area at a time..in no time the bike's done.

I think Mr Sheen leaves a protective coat that makes the next clean easy and seals against moisture and prevents rust...I have no rust at all.

Here's a few before and after pics.......anyone else have any good cleaning tips or comments???

DJ

[TicTac]

DJ Thanks for the info. But Mr. Sheen sold only in UK and Australia.
So we can not get it here in US.
Do you know of any other product that does same job?
I always wonder how do you keep your bike so clean.
Now we all know your secret

[Kevin Markwell]

Okay DJ, after that testimonial you may end up having to sending me a case. I have never seen good ol' Mr. Sheen in the U.S. We have a product called Mr. Clean that is for kitchens and stuff but not the same. Could you find on the can and post the parent company with address or other identifying info? I trust your recommendation enough to write them to find out how to obtain some.

I am embarrassed to admit my KR is coming up on 3000 miles and has never been washed, or Mr. Sheened. Just too frigging busy. I picked up my RR after her 30,000 mile service and the shop washed her. She looks great. I still have a tremendous soft spot for that Atlanta Blue Beauty.
They both need Mr. Sheen bad.

Kevin

[JCsman]

Nice tip. Any idea if the polish is similar to what's available elsewhere? Do they list ingresdiants? If so I might try to come as close as I can.

I HATE to wash cars/bikes!

[Philbie]

I use the same myself - Mr sheen is without doubt the best stuff for bikes - i love it.

don't use it on the seat or tyres, as it's as slippery as hell.

Do you use it everywhere DJ?? i see you use it on the wheels, how about the rubber areas?

cheers,

Phil

[arkline]

I see a marketing opportunity here. Contact the company and have them package the stuff as Bazza's Bike Beautifier or Barry's Sheene. Sell it in bike shops at huge markup. Export it to the US and clean up (no pun intended).

And here I'm stuck with something called CrystalGlo. From Canada...

[Guest1]

That what the PRO use.
Always use a reputable car polish like Auto Glym or something, but if you want a quick shine (and this is what the showrooms do) get a cloth, spray Pledge or Mr. Sheen on it, wipe on, wipe off, nice quick, but not very long lasting shine

[Hiker]

It sure sounds like a Pledge-type product.

Would be sweet if the Pledge wipes worked. May have to try that...

Hiker

[Slipstream]

I use Pro Honda Spray Cleaner and Polish, which I'm guessing is very similar to Mr Sheen.

It's relatively cheap ($5 U.S.) and found at any reputable Honda motorcycle dealer.

Spray on, wipe off--instant detailing--awesome product.

--Slipstream

[jrock]

But how well does it work on the Rockster flat black?

[beekstersocal]

HOSE IT DOWN and dry it with a friggen shammy

[DJ Downunder]

We also have wipes and pump bottles.





I found the spray cans the best...I'm not sure why.

"DJ Thanks for the info. But Mr. Sheen sold only in UK and Australia."....bummer about that.

"Okay DJ, after that testimonial you may end up having to sending me a case."....I'll find out about a supplier that dose mail order if you like.

"Do they list ingresdiants?"....no I'm sure it's a big secret...I've tryed many other brands over the years..all saying they do the same thing..but none others even come close the Mr Sheen.

"Do you use it everywhere DJ??"....yes everyehere...(almost)...sides of the tires but not the tread area..because of overspray I am very careful on my first ride after doing the wheels..and not the hand grips..it's ok on the seat but is a bit slippery at first..I also do the discs after a wipe..and they are a bit weak on my first stop but soon return to normal..so be careful there...helmet and visor..all good.

"Bazza's Bike Beautifier or Barry's Sheene."....great idea...all the bike shops here use it...I've noticed the local shop has big cans of it..only available through there cleaning suppler..I'm going to suss that out.

"spray Pledge or Mr. Sheen on it, wipe on, wipe off"....I wonder if it's the same???

DJ

[Slipstream]

But how well does it work on the Rockster flat black?

I live in Montgomery, AL....bring the Rock by, and we'll give it a try!

/rhymes!

--Slippy

[Boxerboy]

Don't use it on the inside of your treated visor though. I know one guy that did (Schuberth Concept) and it made it unusable, causing an opaqueness. It may be OK on some, but I'd be cautious.

Mr Sheen's primary use is as furniture polish.

I prefer a good quality auto polish after a rare soap and h20 wash. Maybe twice a year. Mr Sheen does the job in between.

It's good stuff.

[KaneToad]

I have heard that Mr Sheen on helmets + visors can lead to them becoming somewhat brittle and reducing effectiveness in case of accident.

How often do you clean the bike with it?

Will remember to put this on the shopping list, results look great =)

[DJ Downunder]

How often do you clean the bike with it?

I give my bike a quick going over once every few weeks...some times once every few months..

I do my visor almost every few days..even the inside of the visor..it's great for getting bug-splats off.

Same visor...4yrs..no probs so far.

I have heard that spray painters don't like it because it gets into the painted surfaces and makes for a hard touch up job...I'm not worried about that.

DJ

[Fossil Fred]

Kane Toad,

I've been using Mr`Sheen on my helmets and visors for years. Haven't had a problem so far.

Fossil

[BMWPA]

I use Pro Honda Spray Cleaner and Polish, which I'm guessing is very similar to Mr Sheen.

It's relatively cheap ($5 U.S.) and found at any reputable Honda motorcycle dealer.

Spray on, wipe off--instant detailing--awesome product.


--Slipstream

I use this as well on bike and helmet

[solitario11]

I use lemon pledge or what ever the Dollar store sell that looks and smells like lemon pledge.after she is clean I use Honda clealer and polish on the painted parts and she is done

[Biff's R]

My bike always looks best when I am seated upon it.