bikewash..water or no water?

hi, i had this bike wash question, here in UAE, we usually go to gas stations for bike wash,
where they usually do the car wash too. so is it ok to take the bike to the same place coz they
will wash it with soap water. and then dry and clean it too. makes the bike look really clean!
my question is that whether is it good? i remember someone tellign me that it should be washed
with some chemical..diesel or something? coz over here they dont have that option of deisel
wash. just the water wash. is it ok?
pls advise.
thanks.
ameer

i dont see why it would be a problem, just make sure the bike is somewhat cold or let it sit for a while before having it washed. a cracked block or warped rotor would kinda suck. a little on the extreme side but who knows.

I wash and dry my bikes all the time with water and that liguid car wash/wax you put in it. I have for probably 30yrs. I agree a cool bike is better than a hot bike. Common sense about blasting water everywhere though is in order. You don't need water in wheel bearings, or in the muffler, etc. But a good washing is good for the bike. I know many companies now sell a spray that you can put on a dry bike, but IMHO, I want to float the dirt and dust off and I really don't think that does it. It just turns the dust into a rubbing compound that I don't want to use.

Honda (and many others) make an all purpose polisher/spray, but I also prefer to wash my bike the old fashion way. I am just careful around the air intakes, and the display cluster, etc. In fact, I need to do that today because I have a good collection of bugs from last night.

I wash my bike all the time with water and Turtle Zip Wax cleaner. First I use a hose and wet the entire bike with a nice light mist. Then I scrub the bike down and then hose off, again with a light spray, and towel dry. No problems getting it on the indicator or anywhere else thus far. Just make sure your wash doesn't have any high powered sprays that could potentially get into places like Dave K said and you'll be fine.

As for the 'diesel wash', WTF is that all about!? I hope they weren't talking about washing a bike with fuel/oil.

I do both but mainly i wash my bike with water. I have some of the spray on cleaner but i find that is only good for a very small area that really isnt that dirty to begin with. Using the dry cleaner usually ends up in very fine scratches in the plastic. Maybe I am using the wrong rag. I prefer to wash with good ole soap and water. But not dish soap because that strips the wax off. Use a zip wax like the others were saying.

I have done both also, But when its dirty (bugs on the front) then it just need a good scrubbing. I dont drinch the bike with water just get it wet give her a good scrubbin and then rinse off. the I dry her off and take her for a spin while shes still clean

The spray is fine if there arent really any bug guts but I still prefer to wash her with water. Only takes about 5 minutes to wash and dry.....so its not really time comsuming.....just dont hold the hose down in the muffler and youll be fine

and WTH is a diesel wash???

I use water on mine also. Try this next time you wash your bike. Spray some furniture polish, like Pledge or something, on a rag and wipe it on the headlights, windscreen, upper cowl area. It gives it a really slick finish. Makes it alot easier to gets bugs and stuff like that off. Works on your helmet also.

WTF... a diesel wash? Am I the only one to never hear of that? Soap and water work great, especially for you living in a nice hot desert area. How are things in the good ole UAE? I've spent some time in Dubai and Bahrain. I couldn’t imagine riding in 100 f + temperatures all the time.

quote:

ORIGINAL: c.love220

Try this next time you wash your bike. Spray some furniture polish, like Pledge or something, on a rag and wipe it on the headlights, windscreen, upper cowl area. It gives it a really slick finish. Makes it alot easier to gets bugs and stuff like that off. Works on your helmet also.

Also leaves the bike with a clean fresh smell

I haven't heard of diesel washing, but there is a product made by Gunk called S-C Concentrate that basically makes kerosene water soluble. It works extremely well when washing chains and sprockets (gets all of the grime off, even the stuff on the sprockets and engine block where the sprockets spray the chain lube). It also can be used (so I'm told) to wash the bike. However, for the body work I've never had any complaints when using soap and water. The chain, however, can use a good kerosene bath every once in a while, just make sure you rinse the chain off with water afterwards and then ride it for a short time to get all the water out of the rollers and then lube it well and wipe the excess off.

yeah, Diesel wash;

1. make sure you park outside
2. genly mist entire bike with diesel, via spray bottle or mister.
3. light match
4. toss match on bike
5. VIOLLA!! watch the dirt and grime "melt" away!!


havent tried it yet, let me know how it goes...

hello doncollins, things in dubai are good.. me crazy about learning to ride properly and safely since the traffic goes mad in rush hour..hoping to find some good clubs since i am new to biking..probably will learn something from there...let see...i work in the Internet City and take the Jumeriah beach road to and from my work place..dont know whether you have see it..anyways....

i just heard from a garage guy about the Diesal what..even i thought it was insane! and then i checked it with the gas station and they said they do this stuff outside the city in industrial areas since its ban in the city..very weird. i will stick to soap and water..!


bushmasterAR15 very cool..i laughed my head out reading your comment!
anyways..thanks guys for all your comments.
ameer.

I use water and some kind of bike /car soap. th eonly thing to add is be careful if using a pressure washer, it can do more harm than good by forcing water into places it shouldn't go. better a dirty bike ( well that's my excuse) than one with no grease in the bearings and water in the electrics.

Mcguires clay bar kit does wonders.

No water I just use Plexus best stuff ever