[TerminatorR1]

The water in my town sucks. It is barely drinkable. I tried to wash my car ONCE and it spotted so bad. My question is, has anyone taken their bikes to a do-it-yourself car wash?

 

[Prowler]

yeah...i did once with my zx-11......the spray was so strong from the spray wand that the paint started to peel off of the calipers.......i never went again......

 

[madcow]

yep

do it all the time in the summer..just tak e bucket and rags with you and don't spray the bike straight on. don't even pull the trigger. just let the in direct mist get the bike wet and wipe it down. put the wand in the bucket for clean water or put the saop brush in it and use the soap with your rags and then rinse with the mist. high pressure can be bad for some parts. just my experience

 

[weeR1]

Should be o.k as long as you don't jet wash any grease filled areas such as wheel bearings and electrical switch gear - tends to blow the grease out and you know what happens next!!

 

[TerminatorR1]

Thanks fellas.:thumbup I guess I could always install a water softner, or just run over to my neighbors who has a softner and steal some of his.

 

[ATOMIC_JOHNSON]

Maybe I'm a bit "A" type here, but my bike has never seen water... I strip the cowlings wipe them down with 409 or some mild organic degreaser like simple green. Then do the same with the whole bike using small rags and "q-tips" I read a hot rod mag once that said any serious water pressure, even a garden hose, and you risk forcing water into any and all seams on your car. I would assume it's the same for bikes, you're gonna jam water into all sorts of odd places that you'll never get dry, then rust or corrosion could set in. If my astrologer even hints that it might rain, "The Great Red Shark" stays covered in the garage. I think I am deeply in love with my bike...

 

[Viper333]

HEY ATOMIC!!!! CHEMICAL BURN ALERT!! Hey I dont know what they put in that green stuff up there, but ive seen it discolor the anodizing on a few bikes before. If you love your bike you should get an approved bike cleaner like S100, its a little pricey but it cleans everything on your bike safely. Think of long term degredation of plastics, clear coats, and rubber stuff. Most of the good bike cleaners dont kick ass of the chain lube, but thats ok just wipe your rim down with CRC or WD-40 before washing. Well in yor case you can get stuff like - Motul silicone clean - Honda spray clean - S100 corosion block spray which I use and love for my equipment Theres also protect all, and a few other spray cleaners just for what you are doing. Some of these have uv protection and some have corrosion protection which is the shiznat. You spray it on, and wipe it off. I like the S100 because what you cant get to in the nooks and crannies dries clear and stops corrosion. I may seem like im pulling on the S100 thing, but im not a rep or selling anything. I use it cause Ive been happy with the results. S100 also has a carnuba wax that comes off clear and doesnt leave white shit all over. Oh yeah these sprays kick ass of the water spots too.

 

[ChampionR1]

Maybe get some kinda water softener or something for your home.