| Author | Message | ||
     Bradj |
What commonly available cleaning products are okay to use on the Blast's molded plastic? I discovered, unfortunately, that the Honda all purpose cleaner that works so well on my other bike blotched the finish on the Blast  . I read in the manual about the H-D cleaner/glaze stuff, but it's 60 miles away to the nearest H-D dealer. I tried Fantastik and while it didn't appear to damage the finish, it didn't work too well either. The bike is too big to fit into one of those golf ball washers at the local country club.  bradj | ||
| Ezblast |
Ahh - a topic dear to my heart! - lol - For the Wheels I use Prestone alum. wheel cleaner & a wheel brush, for the plastic & regular seat (the leather Corbin gets the Amor-All Leather protector)I use Amor-All, Any brake cleaner for the discs (And to break up any serious road tar), and Foamy Engine Brite for all the engine and undercarage/swing-arm area. I've been trying different stuff on the Red - currently Mothers line - more work and lesser results, tried various generics - ended up giving those to the wife for her car;0) If I throw a polish shine on it I use Turtle Wax Black and a polishing rag, otherwise I just use paper towels for the cleaning. My once a week chore! Got Thump?! Just Blasting on the Dark side! EZ  | ||
| Newt |
I wash my bike with warm water containing a little bit of dish washing liquid and a little bit of simple green and use a soft sponge. If its real gunky I'll spray some simple green on and let it presoak for a few minutes. Painted or colored parts get a bit of pledge when dry (dealership trick). I don't polish aluminum, but that's just me. | ||
| Robertb |
Does anyone have any suggestions for cleaning products to use to buff out scuffs and scratches on the Blast bodywork? Thanks. | ||
| Swampy |
I'm using Castrol All Wheel Cleaner. It works on the wheels, white letters on the tire, and low and behold.....the engine cases. Oh yeah, it also works to get the bugs off the front forks and head light! | ||
| Newblaster |
To buff out scratches you can use plastic polish. I've forgotten the name of it, I'll check it tonight. You can find it at dealerships. It will take out light scratches and scuffing. If they're deep, you can sand it with fine sandpaper, then use the plastic polish (maybe a couple times...) to take out the scratches from the sanding. Try just the polish first, though, it does a surprisingly good job. The polish is from Novus, it's the #2 plastic polish/fine scratch remover. Got mine at a dealership, normally see it in all of them. (Message edited by newblaster on August 18, 2004) | ||
| Hogluvr |
My wife's new (to us) '01 Blast also has some scuffs & scratches in the bodywork, has anyone tried the Harley Swirl & Scratch Treatment recommended in the manual? I've heard of the Novus stuff, it's been around for years, would this work better or worse than the Novus? Does anyone know if S100 or Bike Brite cleaners will hurt the Blast's bodywork? I use this stuff on all my other bikes, they are both gentle cleaners that don't seem to hurt any of the different metals on them, but I don't have any experience with the Blast's composite body parts. Any help/thoughts would be appreciated... | ||
| Ezblast |
Novus 2 | ||
| Kenschr36 |
Novus plastic polish products work well. | ||
| Fasterblaster |
Guys...!! I found a new product today for Cleaning the Blast. It is call De-Solv-it. This stuff will clean anything....from Tar..Gease.. Glue..paint...you name it..it will clean it. It is made from Orange Extract and Biodegradable, and smell great. I clean my Motor today with it, and it looks amazing... Check it out at www.orange-sol.com | ||
| Bumblebee |
My vote for Novus too! Here: http://www.noscratch.com/novus/ | ||
| Nevets |
I washed my bike yesterday (Sunday) and I must have gotten water in the key switch because when I left work tonight and my key switch was frozen, (it was about 24°). When I did manage to get my key in, it would not turn. I sprayed deicer into the key hole and that freed everything up. Now I'm afraid the deicer may corrode the inside of the switch. Should I spray in some WD-40 or something like it or do you think it will be fine. | ||
| Ezblast |
yes | ||
| Nevets |
Thanks for the great info and advice. I'll not bother you again. | ||
| Ezblast |
LOL - you where correct - no bother - a little WD is good for cleaning and oiling up a lock - just don't go overboard - locksmiths use it and 3In1 all the time. GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Bother us anytime. Thats what we're here for-to help each other out. | ||
| Rainman |
Hey guys, got an issue. I rode the other day at 36 degrees and got caught in freezing rain and sleet with a good layer of salt on the road. Then we got hammered by a winter storm and serious cold. Today I got the Blast out to go to work and noticed that the wheels have a bit of what appears to be oxidation on them. What's the best method to clean them? I thought I'd ask before doing something stupid this time. | ||
| Ezblast |
Try engine cleaner, brakecleaner, contact cleaner, or a good wheel cleaner - either should have the ability to clean that up. GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Swampy |
Don't bother, Nothing will fix it now, I don't care what you use or how hard you use it, its there forever! Ask me how I know, its one of the side effects of riding in the Siberian Beltway! | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Unfortunately (for you) I'm leaning towards Swampy on this one. However, a good cleaning asap may rescue your Blasts good looks. Just avoid using anything super harsh unless its your last resort (once the clearcoat is gone,its gone). Realistically, I havent found anything that works magic on the wheels anyway. Just follow the cleaning advice already posted here. Good luck. | ||
| Ezblast |
I ditched the clear coat long ago, and just run metal - I keep it clean with brake cleaner - non-chlor, and WD - alternating - its what I use for all my metal non-painted surfaces. GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Rainman |
Hey Swampy, I was afraid of that. I cleaned them but I can still see where the wheels appear discolored. I don't know if you can neutralize oxidation or whatever .... I'm no rocket surgeon. I'll just try to keep it clean and keep riding. I'm not very meticulous about my vehicles, anyway, as long as they run great and look decent I'm happy. | ||
| Swampy |
Sorry, but calcium chloride really messes up aluminum. You might be able to use some sort of abrasive buffing compound and cut down through the oxidized aluminum, but you are talking about an incredible amount of work. Just do like Jugallo94 is doing and have them powdercoated! | ||
| Rainman |
Dang. I have a choice of setting it up for five months or messing up my wheels ... Guess they'll just have to get messed up. Is there any danger or is it just appearance that's affected? | ||
| Swampy |
Appearance is all it is! But the Blast is a beautiful bike even with dirty wheels! | ||
| Rainman |
I agree. Who'da thunk that a 500cc single would be more fun than my Old Wing? | ||
| Zensmile |
I am getting a little surface rust on the exhaust. Is there a way to keep this at a minimum or to keep the pip from rusting? Has anyone had any success with this? | ||
| Swampy |
Yes they all will do it, just touch it up with some paint or replace it with somthing that is coated. | ||
| Muckerpuck |
cleaning my jardine exauhst can. well my jardine can has what looks like water marks or spots maybe ... not sure exactly what kind of stain they are but they are there and look like hard water marks.. looks like its clear coated????? | ||
| Oso |
For the plastics try Linex. I bought a 2001 Blast with pink painted plastics. I thought about what I could do to remedy this atrocity and looked at my truck bed. There was the answer. Looks great and I don’t have to worry about scratching the plastics. I would load a pic but I dont have photo shop on this computer |
