Safest Way to Wash your Motorcycle

 

 

How To Wash Your Motorcycle:

Sure... having a few beautiful girls in wet T-shirts and bikinis with a sponge and foamy water everywhere, is one option to wash your bike.

But outlined here for you is a more practical approach, and far less sexy, do-it-yourself way of taking pride in your motorcycle.

And if you're like me, your motorcycle is like a piece of jewelry that deserves to be treated with fine attention and detail. Cleaning and washing a motorcycle is almost as important as the regular maintenance. And, a clean bike is easier to maintain, and any leaks can be spotted more easily.

 

Give your motorcycle some well-deserved TLC
(tender, loving, care)

by washing it yourself by hand

 

Steer-clear of commercial car-washing facilities, which use harsh detergents and potentially damaging high-pressure hoses.

Start with parking your motorcycle in shaded location, away from direct sunlight (which can causes water-spots, or worse, harmful temperature differentials). Park on a level, stable area, and be sure your bike is secure - could be embarrassing (or painful) if your bike tipped-over on you while washing it.

And be sure your engine has been off for a while and is cool to the touch. This is important because water on a hot engine could potentially cause damage, or actually crack your engine.

Before you get started, be sure to take off your watch, rings and other jewelry - they could scratch your bike as you're washing it.

It's helpful to pre-soak your bike by simply allowing water from a hose to get your bike completely wet.

 

 

Motorcycle-washing items you'll need:

• A bucket (for soapy water)

• Soap or liquid detergent (automotive cleaners will work)

• Gloves (to keep your hands clean)

• Bug and tar remover

• Degreaser and/or engine cleaner

• A toothbrush

• WD40

• Wheel cleaner

• A brush for wheel cleaning

• At least two microfiber or 100% cotton sponges

• A variety of soft cotton towels, and more abrasive rags

• A chamois cloth for drying

• Window cleaner (for mirrors)

 

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Soapy Water

Some motorcyclists prefer to wash their bikes with only water, while others keep to only specific brands of soap. Whatever your preference, it's best to use warm water to help loosen dirt and grime.

Fill up a bucket for convenience and keep the sponge nearby - when the sponge is not being used, keep it in the bucket, or on top of a towel.

Be sure not to let the sponge touch the ground, or it could pick-up more dirt, oils, and possibly sand, small pebbles and other abrasive particles, which could then scratch your paint.

 

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Removing Tar and Bugs

Bugs and grime can congregate on the nose and fairing of your motorcycle - bug spatter is highly acidic, and the remains galvanize themselves to the surface of your motorcycle and adhere to paint, plastic, and metals with a vengeance. Your first instinct may be to try to scrub the bug residue off the surface, but that approach can scratch the finish. There are cleaning solutions that can tackle bugs without damaging paint or metal work

Your local motorcycle or automotive shop will likely have "Bug and Tar" remover, which typically work very well, and some riders also use WD40 for removing harder grime such as these.

Be patient and douse the area and allow to soak-in for a bit before wiping clean. Careful not to scrub too hard into the paint when loosening bugs, and be sure not to use the same sponge for other cleaning duties.

 

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Getting the Hard Parts Clean

Be sure not to let degreasers touch sensitive parts like paint or chrome.

A motorcycle's heavy components (like the swing-arm and matte exhaust pipes) require different treatment than the more sensitive parts (like paint or chrome.)

Using a degreaser, spray and allow to soak, and then scrub these harder parts carefully and individually, making sure not to let allow the powerful solvents to touch paint or chrome. Best to use a rough rag for these areas.

 

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Show Some Love,
by Cleaning with a Toothbrush

Hard to reach parts can be cleaned with a toothbrush.

Detailing ("micro-cleaning") like this is a great way to get to know your motorcycle "up-close, and personal".

Maybe you don't need to get your bike to "competition" condition, but a toothbrush is a great way to making those hard-to-reach parts look new again.

Apply a small amount of degreaser or WD40 on the tip of the toothbrush (for non-chrome engine parts) and oil and grime will disappear. Rinse with water.

 

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Brake Dust

The wheels of your motorcycle can sometimes be difficult to clean, and a long-armed brush can be very helpful with scrubbing-off brake dust and dirt. Apply a wheel cleaner first and let it set for a bit before scrubbing the dirt and dust off.

Chrome wheels, and some aluminum wheels will require specific cleaners, so be aware of your wheel's finish before using any cleaners. Also, aluminum wheels may scratch easily, so be aware of that as well.

Stay away from any tire dressing products - their glossy finishes can compromise the grip your tires have on the road.

 

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Washing the Motorcycle Frame

Be sure and get all the contours of your motorcycle as you can with the sponge.

Microfiber "sponge-gloves" are great ways to clean your motorcycles painted parts, and should be used with warm, soapy water from the bucket.

Be sure to get the paint good and wet before scrubbing, so the soapy water can act as a lubricant and not scratch the paint. Only use 100% cotton or microfiber sponges, as other materials can cause damage.

Rinse the soapy residue off with a gentle stream of water from a hose, or by pouring water from the bucket. Do not use any type of high-pressure hose, as the pressure could accidentally get water in places that might cause damage, like sensitive electronics and wires.

 

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The Details Are In The Drying

A chamois cloth will keep your paint from getting scratched

With your bike still parked in the shade (away from direct sunlight), use a chamois cloth to soak up the remaining water drops from the paint.

The chamois will keep the finish from getting scratched, and prevent streaks and spots from accumulating.

 

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And that is the safest way to wash your motorcycle!

 

Now go and reward yourself with a ride on your newly cleaned bike. A ride will not only give you a cool breeze after all your hard work, the air movement from your ride will dry out many of the parts you might not have been able to reach while you were drying it.

Did I forget anything?

Please leave a comment...

 

Ride on!

—Michael Murray
Owner | Rider | Enthiusiast

michael@motorcycletraveldvds.com

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