Bike washing items&cleaning a bike

[VTRDark]

erm......not sure.......what....I am.....going to do......now.....

Well if you want to take care of your new 2 wheeled pride and joy then read Chric's posts. Or take a little look over at the detailing world forum.

It's not just washing and waxing but paint correction as well. But there is only so many times that you can correct any surface scratches and stuff with rubbing compounds that remove a thin layer from the top coat. So it starts with washing properly which takes the preventative measures fro damaging the paintwork.

I bet Tony M's bike is one of the best on the forum because he never washes it, so imagine how clean that paintwork would be under all that crud as long as a proper washing technique is used to remove it all.

Chric takes some stick for his clean bike and polishing/waxing but when it come to re-sale his bike is mint and in showroom condition. So who's laughing then. He will be able to sell that for over 2k easily. Where as if it washed and cared for it like some others bikes on here then it would be only 1600 ish. But it's not all about value, but it's taking pride in your belongings. And maybe washing the bike/car is a great excuse from not having to walk around the shops looking for a new handbag or pair of shoes with the other half

If one had a Ferrari sitting out on the driveway or a Ducati would it get washed with a bucket of water full of grit that has been taken off the car/bike already. Or hosed as an initial rinse without foaming the vehicle first to lube it up, otherwise that grit is just going to scratch as it's hosed down. So Macs method has flaws in it.

I think it's a little unfair the stick he is getting here as I for one am interested in looking after my bike mechanically and visually. Otherwise it's like being in a healthy body but dressed like a vagabond.

That turned into a little rant that post and I for one would like to thank Chric for it and all the cleaning/polishing/waxing guidance he has given me. rant over

(:-})

[geodude]

erm......not sure.......what....I am.....going to do......now.....

Well if you want to take care of your new 2 wheeled pride and joy then read Chric's posts. Or take a little look over at the detailing world forum.

It's not just washing and waxing but paint correction as well. But there is only so many times that you can correct any surface scratches and stuff with rubbing compounds that remove a thin layer from the top coat. So it starts with washing properly which takes the preventative measures fro damaging the paintwork.

I bet Tony M's bike is one of the best on the forum because he never washes it, so imagine how clean that paintwork would be under all that crud as long as a proper washing technique is used to remove it all.

Chric takes some stick for his clean bike and polishing/waxing but when it come to re-sale his bike is mint and in showroom condition. So who's laughing then. He will be able to sell that for over 2k easily. Where as if it washed and cared for it like some others bikes on here then it would be only 1600 ish. But it's not all about value, but it's taking pride in your belongings. And maybe washing the bike/car is a great excuse from not having to walk around the shops looking for a new handbag or pair of shoes with the other half

If one had a Ferrari sitting out on the driveway or a Ducati would it get washed with a bucket of water full of grit that has been taken off the car/bike already. Or hosed as an initial rinse without foaming the vehicle first to lube it up, otherwise that grit is just going to scratch as it's hosed down. So Macs method has flaws in it.

I think it's a little unfair the stick he is getting here as I for one am interested in looking after my bike mechanically and visually. Otherwise it's like being in a healthy body but dressed like a vagabond.

That turned into a little rant that post and I for one would like to thank Chric for it and all the cleaning/polishing/waxing guidance he has given me. rant over

(:-})

blag, blah, blah!!!


j/k

I really do envy those that have that kind of patience. When I had my fast yellow firestorm I tried. I remember sitting out side the garage on the floor getting into all the nook and crannys, on a wonderful sunny day. I had spent a good few hours on it and suddenly thought "wtf?" I should be riding this fooker, not cleaning it" . So that was my approach but not so sure now .

I will use a bucket/sponge and clean soapy water more now though. I used to just coat it in Krud Cutter and hose it off

[tony.mon]

I bet Tony M's bike is one of the best on the forum because he never washes it, so imagine how clean that paintwork would be under all that crud as long as a proper washing technique is used to remove it all.

(:-})

Nope, it's dented and chipped due to forever being ripped apart and worked on.

But quick.

And that'll do me.

[VTRDark]

Stick some Muc of spray or equivalent on first and hose off then wash with the car shampoo, not fairy as not only does it take off any protective coatings ie wax it contains stuff that speeds up the rusting process over time.

An may I just add to my rant keeping the bike clean from crud stops it getting into any mechanical parts that are exposed so preventing wear and tear.

(:-})

[MacV2]

I bet Tony M's bike is one of the best on the forum because he never washes it, so imagine how clean that paintwork would be under all that crud as long as a proper washing technique is used to remove it all.

Chric takes some stick for his clean bike and polishing/waxing but when it come to re-sale his bike is mint and in showroom condition. So who's laughing then. He will be able to sell that for over 2k easily. Where as if it washed and cared for it like some others bikes on here then it would be only 1600 ish. But it's not all about value, but it's taking pride in your belongings. And maybe washing the bike/car is a great excuse from not having to walk around the shops looking for a new handbag or pair of shoes with the other half

If one had a Ferrari sitting out on the driveway or a Ducati would it get washed with a bucket of water full of grit that has been taken off the car/bike already. Or hosed as an initial rinse without foaming the vehicle first to lube it up, otherwise that grit is just going to scratch as it's hosed down. So Macs method has flaws in it.

I think it's a little unfair the stick he is getting here as I for one am interested in looking after my bike mechanically and visually. Otherwise it's like being in a healthy body but dressed like a vagabond.

That turned into a little rant that post and I for one would like to thank Chric for it and all the cleaning/polishing/waxing guidance he has given me. rant over

(:-})

Carl it's not stick it's mickey taking & shouldn't be taken to heart.

Chric obviously enjoys the 'Art' of cleaning vehicles properly & good luck to him & I might add he does a very good job & is very knowledgeable on the subject.

Some of us, clean bike or not get more enjoyment from riding than cleaning.

I agree with your very valid points about resale value but do think your prices are a tad optimistic.

Surely your point about pre rinse & not foaming first is also ''flawed'' as when you apply the foamy sponge to the bodywork to lube up the dust/grit/muck you are already potentially damaging the paint work with the grit ect.

Finally, going back to buckets, the grit guard thing that is mentioned, I am assuming it is, in simple terms, a mesh at the bottom of the bucket.
Grit & dirt particles sink to the bottom through the mesh, so that when you re dip your sponge you don't pick up.
Whenever I have washed a bike, car or even me windows. I have never dipped the sponge right in to the bottom of the bucket, instead you just get the sponge into the top of the water where all the suds are.

Finally, finally, I have a very unhealthy body & dress like a vagabond any way, does this mean I'm not allowed to clean bikes ?

Finally, finally, finally, Chric if you have taken any offence from anything that I have posted re your cleaning & polishing,
then please accept my apologies. You do know your stuff & obviously take pride in it, keep up the good work.

Still think the ears are pants however.

Mac.

[chric]

None taken

[BigVeeGrin]

+1 on what Mac says. We all do things different, and learn a lot in between, and ripping the piss is part the banter. I have gleaned a lot about cleaning, but alas err to the vagabond side. Body work of an Adonis in the garb of a loafer, that's me

[VTRDark]

I know I know It was first thing this morning and I'm not a morning person before I've had my coffee. It was supposed to be a 1 sentence reply to geo's post and I went off on one.

And no ones a bigger tramp than me, It must be a single bloke thing

(:-})

[MacV2]

I know I know It was first thing this morning and I'm not a morning person before I've had my coffee. It was supposed to be a 1 sentence reply to geo's post and I went off on one.

And no ones a bigger tramp than me, It must be a single bloke thing

(:-})

I wasn't gonna say anything...Doh!

[Kev L]

+1 on what Mac says. We all do things different, and learn a lot in between, and ripping the piss is part the banter. I have gleaned a lot about cleaning, but alas err to the vagabond side. Body work of an Adonis in the garb of a loafer, that's me

Body work of A Donut in the garb of a vagrant is nearer the mark!!!!

[lloydie]

i still think we should send tony.mon's bike to chric for a good clean
maybe a good 60th birthday present .

but i know tony would find the first mud pit and get it dirty again (to hide the yellow)

[Kev L]

Carl, this bike might suit, given your new found love of cleanliness -
http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-moto ... /112459330
purpose listed for you to get your rocks off!!

[alternative_vtr]

MacV2 wrote :- cheap a & free buckets can often be picked up from the side of most major roads, they may have dried plaster or something in them & often have no handles...but their free, what's not to like It wasn't broken till I got hold of it!!!



You are winding us up? If my life was that sad that I have to scour the roadsides for old buckets and take them home, knock out plaster and clean it up for washing my bike I think I would end it all
A bucket costs a couple of quid, just buy one, if you are that desperate for a bucket then you obviously need to cancel your broadband subscription and not bother with forums and treat yourself to a bumper set of buckets I can't believe you actually recommend we do that.

[Kev L]

Mate you need to know Mac's humour and remember to take his posts with a large pinch of salt. No, No put the salt cellar down I meant to take it so literally!!

[alternative_vtr]

I breathe a sigh of relief I thought I must be mad reading it