Giving the RT a Good Wash

[NancysToy]

Where I live the wind blows dry dust constantly, which collects on everything even if you just washed it. (I have no garage, just a carport roof.) I use a California CarDuster when a wet-wash is not yet justified. Its slogan is something like "Remove dust, don't just move it around. WITHOUT SCRATCHING." It works as advertised and does a great job, especially on the instrument area, seat, and blackware. It's a soft dry-mop treated lightly with wax to make the dust cling to it, so avoid using it on the windshield and mirrors.

Of course, it's excellent for Cars and trucks too! Who knew? :dontknow:

:thumbup: I carry a small California CarDuster in my rear cargo compartment.

 

[viperryder]

Window cleaning

The manual says nothing about how to clean the RT. What is the best thing to use?

Standard car wash material? Soap and water?

Any danger getting anything wet, such as speakers, switch controls, etc?

Armor-All on the seats?

Windex on the windshield, or something else, since I believe it is fiberglass?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you.

DO NOT USE WINDEX ON YOUR WINDSHEILD. IT WILL START TO CAUSE CRASING. BAD FOR THE WINDSHEILD:shocked::shocked:

 

[frank3]

My EXTREME Wash Method

After reading all the posts, guess I'm at the extreme. Here's my procedure:
1. Go to nearest car wash.
2. Park Spyder with parking brake OFF.
3. Raise seat.
4. Insert 14 quarters and select "Wash W/Soap.
5. Throughly spray Spydereverywhere including under seat.
6. Roll Spyder forward to access other portion of tires and continue washing.
7. Select "Wax" and rinse with "Wax" cycle.
8. Select "Rinse W/Spot Free" and finish rinse.
9. Dry off with cotton towel.

Once or twice a year I also use the same method but remove the side tupperware prior to ridding to the car wash in order to clean up the grime that accumulates around the motor.
Have a 2010 model RT-S with 32,000 miles and no problems with this method.
Don't be afraid, wash and have fun.

 

[Bob Ledford]

Underside cleaning

What about under the plastic gang? Do you support cleaning cooled metal and with what? A mechanic friend of mine says I have a lot of dust underneath, I live in the desert, and it acts like sandpaper on any moving parts. You people who live near the ocean and and icy roads experience salt on the belly of the beast. Thoughts?

Pwhat I usually due is switch our multi-spray hose nozzle into the shower mode and stick it in the front air tunnels and flush the tunnels and the radiator core good. In FL we only worry about salt air, sand, and blue haired grandmothers to short to see over the steering wheel.

plus my Rotax doesn't leak yet!

 

[Desert Spyder]

Pwhat I usually due is switch our multi-spray hose nozzle into the shower mode and stick it in the front air tunnels and flush the tunnels and the radiator core good. In FL we only worry about salt air, sand, and blue haired grandmothers to short to see over the steering wheel.

plus my Rotax doesn't leak yet!

Blue haired grandmothers? Thats good to know. I thought Marge Simpson lived in Springfield with Rickylen.

 

[SpyderFun]

After reading all the posts, guess I'm at the extreme. Here's my procedure:
1. Go to nearest car wash.
2. Park Spyder with parking brake OFF.
3. Raise seat.
4. Insert 14 quarters and select "Wash W/Soap.
5. Throughly spray Spydereverywhere including under seat.
6. Roll Spyder forward to access other portion of tires and continue washing.
7. Select "Wax" and rinse with "Wax" cycle.
8. Select "Rinse W/Spot Free" and finish rinse.
9. Dry off with cotton towel.

Once or twice a year I also use the same method but remove the side tupperware prior to ridding to the car wash in order to clean up the grime that accumulates around the motor.
Have a 2010 model RT-S with 32,000 miles and no problems with this method.
Don't be afraid, wash and have fun.

Using a Hi-Pressure system could prove disastrous given all the electronics and their severe allergy to H2O and the ability of hi-pressure to penetrate seems. Using a hi-pressure system equates to riding your Spyder in a hurricane.....something it was not designed to do and likely it not covered under warranty.

IMHO, a low-pressure system (typical house spigot) with a "Rain Shower" setting on the handle is the best solution for little to no-worries on having water infiltration of your electronics.


-Mike

 

[sealfloorboards]

I have used Pledge on all the plastic of the bikes I've owned, including the windshield. I use it on my face shield and glasses every day. For me, it works great as a cleaner and polish. For the wheels and lower parts, I go to the carwash. Helps me to ride in style and....

Ride in comfort,
John
Seal Floorboards

 

[jmcbow]

Using a Hi-Pressure system could prove disastrous given all the electronics and their severe allergy to H2O and the ability of hi-pressure to penetrate seems. Using a hi-pressure system equates to riding your Spyder in a hurricane.....something it was not designed to do and likely it not covered under warranty.

IMHO, a low-pressure system (typical house spigot) with a "Rain Shower" setting on the handle is the best solution for little to no-worries on having water infiltration of your electronics.


-Mike

I know that there are those owners that would never use a convetional car wash port to wash their Spyder, that's absolutely their choice to make. I've owned 2 Spyders and have washed both (continue to wash my RT with pin stripping) at my local car wash. It's all about excersizing some caution and common sense. I don't get close when using the high pressure setting, I hose it down on the pre-soak setting, carefully hit those hard to reach spots with the higher pressure setting and then rinse it off with the spot free setting (also low pressure). 3 years with the RT and no problems. I never, ever hose down the control panel or inside fairing surfaces. I use a damp cloth and carefully wipe down those areas, or after a road trip will use a hand held spray bottle and go over these areas with a mild soap mixture. I am fanatical about keeping my Spyder clean, most days I simply wipe it down with a damp cloth or go over it with a California duster. But after a few days the wheels and undercarriage start to pick up dirt and grim. Then I head to the car wash. For me, it's a matter of convenience. I'm in and out in about 15 minutes. The short ride home blows off most of the water and leaves just a light wipe down after pulling into the garage.

 

[jerpinoy]

The manual says nothing about how to clean the RT. What is the best thing to use?

Standard car wash material? Soap and water?

Any danger getting anything wet, such as speakers, switch controls, etc?

Armor-All on the seats?

Windex on the windshield, or something else, since I believe it is fiberglass?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you.

The only advice to you is not to drive your SPYDER through a car wash coz you'll bubble up and you'll get very wet.:roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:.