Advice on washing your RT

[malinamps]

I need to do a deep clean on my new-to-me 2015 RT and would like some advice. I would typically use the hose, a little detergent and a brush/towel. I’d appreciate any advice on what to do or not do on these bikes. My GS seems more straightforward in that everything is pretty much exposed. This RT is in nice condition but for example there is a lot of grime on the engine, there is dust/dirt in the brake and clutch levers, etc.
Thanks
Mark

 

[jono]

I remove my seat and put a plastic cover over the electronics to keep water off them. I realize they are water resistant but I don't want to test how well they are sealed.

For the concentrated dust/dirt I would use a spot cleaner and a rag rather than rely on just soapy water.

 

[gloucesterman]

Hi, I start with hot water and a good liquid car wash. A wash mitt. And for all the nooks and crannies on a RT I use a tapered wheel brush. The last thing you want to do is use one of those self serve car washes. My bike was bought used and when I pulled my wheels for a tire change found corrosion under some of the hardware.
Later,
Norm

 

[61996]

Rain

 

[paul_f]

Hi, I start with hot water and a good liquid car wash. A wash mitt.
Norm

Likewise.

For the wheels I use IKEA toilet bowl brushes.

 

[omega man]

When I do wash the bikes, I wear industrial rubber gloves. I find that it saves me from the inevitable scrapes and puncture wounds on my hands.
OM

 

[strataj]

Hi, I start with hot water and a good liquid car wash. A wash mitt. And for all the nooks and crannies on a RT I use a tapered wheel brush. The last thing you want to do is use one of those self serve car washes. My bike was bought used and when I pulled my wheels for a tire change found corrosion under some of the hardware.
Later,
Norm

I do the same but when it has the grime you mention I like to use Muc Off bike cleaner, it make the job easy.

 

[kbasa]

I have a couple ways I wash bikes. In a more casual, "it's kind of dirty" situation, I use S100 on the bodywork and Griots Heavy Duty Wheel Cleaner on the wheels. Wheel cleaner helps if you have lots of grime on your engine cases, as well, but NEVER let it dry. This wheel cleaner will remove brake dust and dirt really well. I bought a Griot's wheel brush and it gives me an ability to get in and get the crud off the wheel hub and between the "spokes". I've never had a cleaner snowflake wheel on my R100. A regular garden hose provides water.

Follow the instructions carefully on the cleaners. You never want to let the S100 nor the wheel cleaner dry in place. For some older airheads, particularly early 80s bikes, S100 can damage the satin finish black on those bikes and make them look cloudy, so be careful.

If it's really filthy, like slathered in bugs and filth, I have a foam cannon that plugs into my pressure washer. It's from from Chemical Brothers or Griot's. I'd have to go look. I use Mr. Pink for wash solution. I do the wheels first with the Griot's stuff, then slather the whole bike with foam and wash it with a wash mitt, rinsing it in a bucket of clean water. After I've washed it all down (don't let it dry!), I use the pressure washer to hose it off, avoiding direct blasting of electronics and wheel bearings. Afterwards, I'll use a plastic polish on the screen and dry it with a Griot's drying towel that works great.

I like to use Griot's Ceramic 3 in 1 afterwards. It's a spray that leaves a glossy, smooth finish that beads beautifully. The associated Ceramic Speed Shine is great for between wash cleanups and primping.

If I have dead bugs, I like the Seafoam bug and tar stuff. If there are a bunch, I will apply it before the wash. If there are a whole bunch, I'll soak an old T-shirt in soapy water and lay it over the bugs to soften them for a while prior washing them off.

I rarely spend time detailing my bikes, but like to keep them reasonably clean and good looking. If anything, wash time gives me a chance to give the bike a close inspection.

I hope that's helpful.

 

[collingsbob]

+1 on foam cannon with ceramic car wash and ceramic detailing wax afterwards..

 

[Scott9999]

Once a season, soap, quality wax, whether it needs it or not. (Though I did spend a few hours on the exhaust headers and pipe a year or so ago, when I had it off for maintenance. Probably a waste of time though ...)

 

[malinamps]

Once a season, soap, quality wax, whether it needs it or not. (Though I did spend a few hours on the exhaust headers and pipe a year or so ago, when I had it off for maintenance. Probably a waste of time though ...)

What did you use for the exhaust pipes? There is a fair amount of corrosion on the pipes underneath the bike. I had read about using red Scotch Bright and WD-40 followed by metal polish. Any advice?

 

[collingsbob]

I use autosol on the pipes..

 

[malinamps]

I use autosol on the pipes..

It looks like there are different Autosol products. Which one did you use? Thanks! Mark

 

[omega man]

I gave up on perfectly clean pipes after I ran over a plastic bag which fused to my perfectly clean pipes on my Honda CB450.
OM

 

[malinamps]

I gave up on perfectly clean pipes after I ran over a plastic bag which fused to my perfectly clean pipes on my Honda CB450.
OM

I hear ya! Lol

 

[collingsbob]

I use autosol on the pipes..

Metal polish..in a tube..use it with a cloth..

 

[robsryder]

When I decide to deliberately clean the bike I typically use a potato brush and simple green in a 10:1 mix with water to clean the wheels. A soft cloth wetted with my SG mix is used on body work. Rinse is with a hose using a light spray. A clean towel is used to dry parts.

The most common method of bug removal, for me, seems to be riding in the rain

I short while back the lo-beam failed. I replaced the hi and lo-beam bulbs with LED bulbs from Cyclops. I found it necessary to fully disassemble most of the front fairing to gain access to the headlights. I took that opportunity to clean the various crevasses and hard-to-reach locations; a fair number of q-tips were used as well as a small screwdriver with a paper towel.

I remove the exhaust during rear wheel removal. I take the time to thoroughly clean the muffler and pipe. A good bit of elbow grease and a dab of metal polish seems to work.

 

[paul_f]

Once a season, soap, quality wax, whether it needs it or not. (Though I did spend a few hours on the exhaust headers and pipe a year or so ago, when I had it off for maintenance. Probably a waste of time though ...)

Like KBAS, I pre-soak the the front of the bike, but rather than using an old T-shirt, I use thick wet paper towels; the t-shirt sounds like a better idea.

I wash, polish and wax the bikes at the end of each riding season, but being a bit of a strange creature, once every two years, after washing the underside of the Tupperware, I polish and wax it. It just makes cleaning the underside easier to keep clean.

 

[kbasa]

What did you use for the exhaust pipes? There is a fair amount of corrosion on the pipes underneath the bike. I had read about using red Scotch Bright and WD-40 followed by metal polish. Any advice?

I like 0000 steel wool and something like naval jelly, followed by Chrome Cleaner or polish. The magic wadding stuff is pretty decent at getting heel marks off my VFR's pipe where I hit it with my heel sometimes.

Like KBAS, I pre-soak the the front of the bike, but rather than using an old T-shirt, I use thick wet paper towels; the t-shirt sounds like a better idea.

I wash, polish and wax the bikes at the end of each riding season, but being a bit of a strange creature, once every two years, after washing the underside of the Tupperware, I polish and wax it. It just makes cleaning the underside easier to keep clean.

If you get the T-shirt nice and soapy, it's makes for a nice way to wipe them off. If you're willing to buy them, cloth diapers are even better for this. They're nice and soft and they hold soapy water really well.

I'm not one of those guys with a pristine bike, but I'm also not one of the "Oh, I'm too busy riding to wash my bike" guys. I ask my bikes to carry me places with all my crap, so I try to show it some love. It doesn't take long. If you're using S100 and a garden hose, you can wash your bike in about 20 minutes.

 

[lee]

If you're willing to buy them, cloth diapers are even better for this

Many years ago a neighbor girl gave me a bunch of cloth diapers. She washed them first
Not that long ago I threw away the last one.