cleaning

ksouthy

Hi,
what do you recommend for cleaning my bike? and am I being stupid in thinking I could put a thin coat of a sort of car wax on my bike to make it easier to clean in future?

be nice

Kieran

YeehaaMcgee

Water. Don't clean the brakes. Job done.

waby1234

for cleaning just use water and a brush

Some people use a tiny bit of hairspray on the frame, makes the dirt slide off next time you wash it apparently.

EyesintheSky

Hot soapy water here, haven't ever had a problem. When i'm done it's cleaner than when I started so jobs a good'un.

mak3m

if its dusty just water

if its mud or road grease quick soak of muc off then water

both with some brushes, i use a baby bottle cleaning kit

ElliesDad

Water if not too dirty, for grimey bodywork then washing up liquid is fine just as long as you rinse the bike thoroughly afterwards as washing up liquid can be corrosive due to the salt content.

ksouthy

Ah ok, simple enough then eh! Cheers!
We sell some silicone lube at work that creates a protective film on machinery surfaces, so I may give that a whirl.

cooldad

Be very careful spraying lube randomly on your bike - get it on the brakes and you have problems.
It's a mountain bike and meant to get dirty. I give mine a spritz of Muc Off because I got it cheap, a wipe and hosedown.
Nothing goes near the brakes except a good spray of cold water to flush any grime out.

ksouthy

ok, thanks! I'l keep that in mind

dhobiwallah

And while you are polishing away on your new toy promising to wash it, and love it, and feed it, and clean its cage and take it for walks every day.....

Once the initial thrill of cleaning wears off The only must do (except not lubing your brakes :P ) is clean the drivetrain. Dirt/dust and chain lube makes a cracking grinding paste and will wear your cassette, chain and chainrings pretty quickly. So if pushed for time/enthusiasm a muddy frame won't make any difference. A dirty drivetrain will cost you in replacement parts...

mak3m

dhobiwallah wrote:

Once the initial thrill of cleaning wears off ..

LMAO i aint got past that bit in 3 years love giving the steed a clean

my brother in law rides DH and some vrough XC to a way better standard than me never washes his bike, never lubes or nothing and the dirteh boi never seems to have any problems

the swine :x

IT66T

ElliesDad wrote:

Water if not too dirty, for grimey bodywork then washing up liquid is fine just as long as you rinse the bike thoroughly afterwards as washing up liquid can be corrosive due to the salt content.

Washing up liquid will also ruin the paint and will leave it looking dull in no time at all but i just use wash n wax car shampoo every now and again as it helps protect the paint from drying out and going dull .

dubcat

I used the silicon spray stuff and got some on my breaks. I had to replace the brake pads. I don't use so much silicon spray any more

dazza Cox

I have used muc off but find it a little expensive. I have since been using cheap car screen wash in 5ltr bottles, cost £2.99 from aldi. Spray on, leave 2 mins and rinse off. Rag with a little wd40 sprayed on it wiped over frame ( avoiding disks and pads) and job done 8)