Washing your bike.
- Thread starter trixster8
- Start date
JSP
Administrator
Note to self... Never again attempt to clean the seat using Meguiars spray leather conditioner (or probably ANY leather conditioner). Man that makes for a slippery seat
Ha! Dont ride with a passenger for a while. Done that myself. Hit the brake and bam! Wife nails ya from behind and your boys are smashed proper into the tank.
Washing the matte FZ8
Wanted to share a remarkable product I've been using to clean the matte paint scheme. If you're anything like me, it kills you a little to take a hose to your bike, and I can gladly say I will never use a hose on a bike again. I see a little dust, or some cocky poopy and I whip out the microfiber towel and 5 minutes and done. So for the matte paint, I found this stuff called WIZARDS motorcycle detailer for matte finishes. Is that perfect or what? I had to order it because nobody had it around me,maybe you'll be luckier. It cleans very nicely, leaves no residues or waxes or anything. This matte paint looks badazz but its finicky, and you don't want to "over wash" it and make it come through shiny...from my little bit of research Wizards is used on high-end vehicles with matte paint i.e. Lambo's,BMW's,etc. Good enough for a Gallardo, good enough for me! On anything glossy, I use this stuff by Meguiars called wash and wax anywhere, picked it up at Hellmart. This stuff is AWESOME, perfect for a glossy paint bike, or your car. I wash my whole truck with it between real deal washes where I can hose off the undercarriage, and birdshit, and mud and crap...but on a bike you could use it INSTEAD of washing the ole fashioned way. It gives you the moisture/cushion you need to wipe away dust/dirt without scratching the paint and then leaves it ridiculously shiny, glossy, and waxed up. Get yourself a couple of big super-soft micro-fiber towels and go to town. Either paint you have, matte or glossy, these'll save you time and keep the water off your ride. I know you can blow dry your bike but after a few years you start to get that little bit of rust in all the places where a little moisture sat, it sucks. Hope this helps someone out, keep er clean!
Wanted to share a remarkable product I've been using to clean the matte paint scheme. If you're anything like me, it kills you a little to take a hose to your bike, and I can gladly say I will never use a hose on a bike again. I see a little dust, or some cocky poopy and I whip out the microfiber towel and 5 minutes and done. So for the matte paint, I found this stuff called WIZARDS motorcycle detailer for matte finishes. Is that perfect or what? I had to order it because nobody had it around me,maybe you'll be luckier. It cleans very nicely, leaves no residues or waxes or anything. This matte paint looks badazz but its finicky, and you don't want to "over wash" it and make it come through shiny...from my little bit of research Wizards is used on high-end vehicles with matte paint i.e. Lambo's,BMW's,etc. Good enough for a Gallardo, good enough for me! On anything glossy, I use this stuff by Meguiars called wash and wax anywhere, picked it up at Hellmart. This stuff is AWESOME, perfect for a glossy paint bike, or your car. I wash my whole truck with it between real deal washes where I can hose off the undercarriage, and birdshit, and mud and crap...but on a bike you could use it INSTEAD of washing the ole fashioned way. It gives you the moisture/cushion you need to wipe away dust/dirt without scratching the paint and then leaves it ridiculously shiny, glossy, and waxed up. Get yourself a couple of big super-soft micro-fiber towels and go to town. Either paint you have, matte or glossy, these'll save you time and keep the water off your ride. I know you can blow dry your bike but after a few years you start to get that little bit of rust in all the places where a little moisture sat, it sucks. Hope this helps someone out, keep er clean!
hutru01
Knights of Columbus
When washing my FZ8, I use a bucket of warm water and pour over the entire bike.
Then I use Armorall Ultra Shine Wash and Wax mixed with water and use a soft sponge to wash the bike. I use a separate sponge for the wheels.
Then I as use as many buckets of water as it takes to get the soap off.
From there I use a terry cloth or a microfiber towel to wipe down off the water so it doesn't spot. Again, use a separate one for the wheels.
I let it air dry for a little (like an hour or so).
Finally, I use Liquid Performance Spray Cleaner polish with a new terry cloth or microfiber to get that nice shine.
Then I use Armorall Ultra Shine Wash and Wax mixed with water and use a soft sponge to wash the bike. I use a separate sponge for the wheels.
Then I as use as many buckets of water as it takes to get the soap off.
From there I use a terry cloth or a microfiber towel to wipe down off the water so it doesn't spot. Again, use a separate one for the wheels.
I let it air dry for a little (like an hour or so).
Finally, I use Liquid Performance Spray Cleaner polish with a new terry cloth or microfiber to get that nice shine.
Last edited:
Jwood9
New member
Ok this thread has a ton of info but i can't quite narrow it down
I have the 2012 matte finish and have been washing it without wax for about a year and it looks as great as the day i bought it...
Who is using a spray and wipe on the 2012 finish and is happy with it? What options are safe for the matte finish?
I have the 2012 matte finish and have been washing it without wax for about a year and it looks as great as the day i bought it...
Who is using a spray and wipe on the 2012 finish and is happy with it? What options are safe for the matte finish?
hutru01
Knights of Columbus
Liquid Performance Spray Cleaner polish works very well. I use it on my entire bike, with the exception of my windscreen (which I use a safe glass cleaner).
I can't imagine why it wouldn't work on the Matte finish compared to a glossy finish.
Naomi
New member
So what products are people using in the UK?
I've trawled through the replies and it seems that a lot of these products are available only in the US. They may be good, but I object to paying more on postage than on the product itself!
So, what are people in the UK using? I'd like to explore the waterless cleaner option, but there are so many options. Recommendations, people?
Thanks!
I've trawled through the replies and it seems that a lot of these products are available only in the US. They may be good, but I object to paying more on postage than on the product itself!
So, what are people in the UK using? I'd like to explore the waterless cleaner option, but there are so many options. Recommendations, people?
Thanks!
melbfz8
New member
i like to use a bucket and hose, and of course a sponge with some car wash solution in the bucket. its always fun. sorry boys. i dont have a pic of some hotty in a bikini but this will do
View attachment 2199
View attachment 2199
charris247
New member
Windex is just about the worst thing you could use on your bike. I would consider using Turtle Wax Ice quick wax spray.
master paper clip
New member
i like to use a bucket and hose, and of course a sponge with some car wash solution in the bucket. its always fun. sorry boys. i dont have a pic of some hotty in a bikini but this will do
View attachment 2199
Where can I get one of them shirts at
xXAvroArrowXx
New member
The old formula of Honda SC&P was way better, it literally lifted bug guts off after a few seconds of dwell time & gave a real deep gloss with minimal effort (just wipe off and light buffing with a micro fiber). They since added carnauba to it and its def harder to buff and doesn't gloss up as well. But fear not: you can still get the old formula sold as Original Bike Spirits & Polish. IDK if they made it for Honda or of Honda sold the recipe but this is said to be the original Honda formula and it works sooooooo well. (A bit harder to find though). http://www.originalbikespirits.com/products/spray-cleaner-polish/
- Avro
2011 Yamaha FZ8
2009 Kawasaki ER-6n (SOLD)
tri dude
New member
i use this as well on my bike and truck!!! Always gives great results for me
