| Author | Message | ||
     Jimustanguitar |
Before I polish up my new bike, are there any cleaners to avoid? I assume everything's powder coated? I dot want to melt off any paint with brakleen. | ||
| Jdugger |
Your OEM plastics aren't painted, they are molded in color. Motul bike wash is good, so is Dawn and water. I like Novus for the plastics. You can buy a huge 64oz bottle on Amazon that will last a good long time. I like proprep for the matte finish stuff. Swing arm, tire hugger, sprocket/belt covers control, plastics, etc. Just be VERY CAREFUL with this stuff and don't get it ANYWHERE near your seat or tank grips, etc. It's super slick. | ||
| Nuts4mc |
Gel Gloss from Home Depot/Wal Mart on the plastic parts especially the wind screen - use a microfibre cloth to wipe it off...been using it for decades: http://gel-gloss.com/index.php?pageId=351 If after you clean with Gel Gloss and you want a Concours d'elegance like shine... use Colonite car wax( this is "old School" car wax = wax on-wax off) ...available from Auto Geek (and some hi-end Boat stores): http://www.autogeek.net/collinite-fleetwax-.html ...again the microfibre cloth works great to remove the dry wax...the Colonite makes it easy to get the dead bugs off...and it protects the "shine"...now, go riding and have some fun! | ||
| Jimustanguitar |
I do realize that the body pieces are molded in color, yep. My plan for those was to use microfiber and a non solvent cleaning chemical (windex for bugs and grime, and something else for gloss). I wasn't very clear, the purpose of my question relates more to the wheels, frame, and motor. What will remove brake dust, wheel bearing grease, the "wet" spots from brake fluid, baked on engine grime, etc without hurting the wheels and crankcase? Thanks for the tips! | ||
| Jdugger |
One of the Harley wheel cleaners is surprisingly effective, actually. I was shocked when I tried it how well it cleaned things up with just a spray, a minute of sit, and a gentle wash off with low pressure water. | ||
| Phlegm |
Simple green works well. | ||
| Rodrob |
Simple Green in high concentration will etch aluminum. Use caution. Never use glass cleaner on plexiglass windscreens. It will cause crasing(sp?), microcracks. | ||
| Nuts4mc |
+1 on simple green at 50/50 mix with H2O...don't let it sit too long (gotta use elbow grease and a stiff brush)... like Rob sez it'll etch aluminum (turns it kinda black)- stay away from the Purple stuff it will turn pot metal/aluminum black...if you do a search you'll see many choices: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/290 431/593995.html (Message edited by nuts4mc on August 19, 2013) | ||
| Jimustanguitar |
I actually had simplegreen haze the clearcoat on an old Yamaha front fender of mine. That experience is 100% why I thought it wise to ask  | ||
| Boohoo |
I like this stuff http://www.s100.com/ | ||
| Anonymous |
We recommend the following  Unauthorized anonymous post by Dustinz (Message edited by froggy on August 19, 2013) | ||
| Two_seasons |
S100. Made in Germany. Cleans all the crud off. Won't ruin any finish. Pick it up at an HD store. Novus is good for the easy on and wipe off. Harley makes a "Spray Cleaner and Polish" in an aerosol can. Leaves a nice finish. | ||
| Torquesauce |
I recently used WD-40 on my wheels, I was blown away with the outcome. Apparently its an old trick I'd never heard of. Probably has something bad for the paint in it, seems like nearly everything does. No issues yet though. | ||
| Stensg |
Wd40 here works great for brake dust | ||
| Zac4mac |
Ethanol will craze Surlyn.. don't spill any Turkey 101 or Bacardi 151 on the plastic. Definitely keep pure ethanol and Everclear(my favorite solvent) away from the plastics. Buell has always recommended the Novus line - numbered 1, 2 & 3. These products are cool because they were designed/invented for airplane windows. Z |
