Advice on cleaning

[Ramg66]

Ok, probably a dumb question but paid a lot of money and care too much. I usually wash and wax my cars for $8 at the local gas station and call it good, but not my Spyder. So I purchased the Lamonster Garages Black Dyamond detailer and the trim renew with microfiber towels, along with 303 Aerospace Protectant, Plexus and the California Duster. This will be my first wash and looking for advice from the experts. Should I wash with car wash soap and water and then Dyamond detailer? Or could I just spray Dyamond detailer right now and wipe? Or do I go over with California Duster (which I researched and is not recommended at this point), then Dyamond detailer? Well you know where I am going with this. Any advice is appreciated, thanks in advance.


This is the worst part, I have 800 miles on it and got caught in a light rain. I have bugs up front but not too bad.

[Centurion]

I usually just spray on some Lucas Slick Mist and then wipe off. If there are dried-on bugs, I let it sit for a minute then wipe off. I just bought some of Lamont's Black Diamond and I like a lot. If you have a gritty, fine sand on it where you live, I might wash it gently first. I almost never use a hose on my Spyder. At most, I might have a bucket of warm water.

[rustynail51]

i have found that letting the machine set out overnight getting up early wiping it down before the dew dries off works great to remove bugs than use the detailer it makes an easier job to get everything clean.

[I-Day]

Thought I would share a trick to debug I learned from riding two wheels for 40 years. I take an old towel and put it in as hot of water I can take. Ring out a bit and then set it over the bugged area. Leave is sit for 2-3 minutes and the bugs come right off! The heat and steam melt them away!

[Chupaca]

Spray and wipe works best for me. I have used many products but in a pinch the old stand by is pledge...I like lemon scent...

[Pineywoods36]

I live on a long dirt driveway and am always concerned about the grit if I just wipe it down regardless of the cleaner. I use a hose to rinse off first then a light wash with carwash soap. Chammy dry then a Lamonster or Plexus to finish it up. I have also used I-Day's trick with the warm towel so I don't have to scrub to hard on the bugs.

[Bob Denman]

i just figure that a dirty bike: is a sign of a bike that's being ridden...

And that means a Happy Owner!!

[Mr. White]

My problem is cleaning/washing the rear wheel, tire, belt drive, sprocket, etc. With my Korean knee, I can't get down easily to do this. Presently I use a long handled brush....is there a better (easier) way?

[SPECTACUALR SPIDERMAN]

My problem is cleaning/washing the rear wheel, tire, belt drive, sprocket, etc. With my Korean knee, I can't get down easily to do this. Presently I use a long handled brush....is there a better (easier) way?

A $100 electric power washer is great at cleaning wheels. sprayway is great for cleaning everything else.

[mrfats]

Baby wipes works well to remove bugs...

[flyday58]

I was looking for a cutesy name for the Spyder and ended up calling it "Dust Devil". Not sure it will ever be clean again (pics to follow once I get back home)!

Seriously, 10 miles round-trip to the pavement down a canyon road at any speed creates clouds of dust that, I think, are attracted to the tupperware by a static charge caused by the dry air and tire friction from movement down the road. So I'm strongly thinking about getting a trailer when I get back to NM (we're on vacation in Ole Miss) that will fit in my garage. AND I'll be able to keep the 83 Venture, which definitely hates the gravel road.

And once again sign06.gif so sorry about that. I've tried wiping off the dust and it just seems to move around. Static charge I'm thinking. So trailering may be my answer.

[Pirate looks at --]

We also use hot towels and allow them to sit on the spyders for a while. Then we wipe and dry with microfiber towels, and then apply Lamonster Black Diamond Detailer.

[pegasus1300]

Not sure why you don't want to do what you have been doing,except for the carwash wax. I have been using the car wash on my bikes for over 40 years with never a problem. I just don't pull the trigger back except for the hard to remove bugs on the frunk and windshield. Drive home dries it and the instant detailers,whatever one you like shines them up and protects the finish. No I don't wash the dash, I can do that at home with the detailer. If you don't use the hard spray around the wheel bearing you don't have to worry about getting water in them.

George as to your knee and washing the rear wheel area, have you got a nearby grand child that could do that job for Grandpa? for a ride? Or a neighbor kid?

Ok, probably a dumb question but paid a lot of money and care too much. I usually wash and wax my cars for $8 at the local gas station and call it good, but not my Spyder. So I purchased the Lamonster Garages Black Dyamond detailer and the trim renew with microfiber towels, along with 303 Aerospace Protectant, Plexus and the California Duster. This will be my first wash and looking for advice from the experts. Should I wash with car wash soap and water and then Dyamond detailer? Or could I just spray Dyamond detailer right now and wipe? Or do I go over with California Duster (which I researched and is not recommended at this point), then Dyamond detailer? Well you know where I am going with this. Any advice is appreciated, thanks in advance.


This is the worst part, I have 800 miles on it and got caught in a light rain. I have bugs up front but not too bad.

[Zip]

I use a little Dawn in hot water then rinse with the hose. Dry the seat and windshield with a soft towel. Then take it for a ryde to dry the rest.

[rcturner]

I use a little Dawn in hot water then rinse with the hose. Dry the seat and windshield with a soft towel. Then take it for a ryde to dry the rest.

Dishwashing detergent is a huge no-no on clear coat finishes. It removes the oils from the finish and can make them cloudy or dull in just a few washes. (Note: mat finishes require something like Dawn to restore the dull finish)

[papanorm]

S100 has a spray on-rinse off with water hose product that makes the process easier. The bike needs to be cool before using. It has been very popular with motorcycle's for decades. Very easy to use and bugs come right off. It does a good job with wheels and undercarriage as well.

[Mr. White]

Not sure why you don't want to do what you have been doing,except for the carwash wax. I have been using the car wash on my bikes for over 40 years with never a problem. I just don't pull the trigger back except for the hard to remove bugs on the frunk and windshield. Drive home dries it and the instant detailers,whatever one you like shines them up and protects the finish. No I don't wash the dash, I can do that at home with the detailer. If you don't use the hard spray around the wheel bearing you don't have to worry about getting water in them.

George as to your knee and washing the rear wheel area, have you got a nearby grand child that could do that job for Grandpa? for a ride? Or a neighbor kid?

Thanks for the idea Paul, my nearest neighbor kid is a 12 year old lady and she is 1/2 mile on down the road and if she is not riding her horse, she is in school......ha ha. I live in the boon docks....mostly old folks younger than me. I guess I will just stick to my long handled brush and Honda spray on.....

[JayBros]

I use a quick detailer product, currently Meguiar's Quick Mist & Wipe Detailer, and microfiber cloths to remove dust. If I've collected road dirt from rain riding, even just a light splashing, I use Turtle Wax car wash soap a soft mitt and very low pressure water. Dried grit begs for water IMO. I too favor the hot water towel for bug guts but again am very careful about grit. Shawn Smoak claims Liquid Performance Premium Cycle Wash cut 50:50 works great. I plan to try when the car wash soap runs out. Guess I need to wash the cages more often to quickly exhaust the supply.

[niterider]

My problem is cleaning/washing the rear wheel, tire, belt drive, sprocket, etc. With my Korean knee, I can't get down easily to do this. Presently I use a long handled brush....is there a better (easier) way?

Hi George
First, thank you for ur service to our great country! I have a bad back and legs so I bought a one step, plastic, folding stool, Walmart and for me it's great for low work, wash, tire rim ,belt work. I stretch my legs out the best way around the trike and work. Need help up- cane or passenger hand grip. Hope this helps. Niterider

[ussoldier]

I like this method better.

[Buckeye Chuck 54]

I clean my Pearl White '14 RT-S after every ride. Bugs are relatively freshly smashed and using a wet microfiber towel takes the bugs and anything else right off. Then a light mist of Plexus does a nice finish. I don't have anything problem with cleaning products, but why spend lots of money when a $24 can (which lasts months) does such a nice job?
I learned years ago a clean machine runs better. Believe me, it really does. Maybe I just think it does, but opening that garage door and seeing a clean bike with headlights winking at me, ready for another daily ride.
Just my opinion.
Chuck

[Large1]

Ok, probably a dumb question but paid a lot of money and care too much. I usually wash and wax my cars for $8 at the local gas station and call it good, but not my Spyder. So I purchased the Lamonster Garages Black Dyamond detailer and the trim renew with microfiber towels, along with 303 Aerospace Protectant, Plexus and the California Duster. This will be my first wash and looking for advice from the experts. Should I wash with car wash soap and water and then Dyamond detailer? Or could I just spray Dyamond detailer right now and wipe? Or do I go over with California Duster (which I researched and is not recommended at this point), then Dyamond detailer? Well you know where I am going with this. Any advice is appreciated, thanks in advance.


This is the worst part, I have 800 miles on it and got caught in a light rain. I have bugs up front but not too bad.

Bet your going to know what I am going to say!!!

[Fatcycledaddy]

I wash mine the same way I wash my cars, car wash detergent, pressure washer on the lowest pressure setting, except for the wheels, high for that. Then when on a trip I use Lamonster Garages Black Dyamond detailer on all the nights it isn't too dirty from rain. It works great taking bugs off too.

[Bayouboy]

Cheap dryer sheets work very well on bugs. wet the surface, wet the sheet and the bugs wipe right off. I've been doing this on my vehicles for years and never had an issue with my paint finishes.

[Ramg66]

Bet your going to know what I am going to say!!!

Thanks Large1, who came clear across town to show me personally how to wash my Spyder....LOL. It was nice meeting you buddy.

Thank you all for your advice.