[AZRider]

I have no idea where this should go, so I'm posting it here. How do you all wash your SS? Water, rinseless, or waterless? Wax or sealant? Both? Add quick detail after the wax and sealant? Just hose it off? Some guys tell me that water has never touched their bike (except rain) and others say you can't safely wash without water. Frankly, I'm pretty confused at this point. What method(s) do you guys use?

 

[Duc_Dodgers]

Two brand new buckets from Lowes, one with soapy water using a car wash soap, the other with clean water to rinse. I spray the bike down with the hose, wash it using a microfiber wash mitt and rinse with the hose. I dry it with another microfiber drying cloth and then use a liquid ice polish to shine it up. I wash the windscreen and mirrors with Plexus. I wash the wheels last and with a cotton cloth because I don't want my microfiber cloths stained with grime and grease. All this in on a cold bike. Afterwards I go for a ride.

 

[amoslws]

Firstly I clean chain gunk off with mutton cloth and IPA running alcohol. Quick hose down of the dust. Use a non abrasive shield shampoo. Then a non abrasive shield polish.

 

[melba]

Two brand new buckets from Lowes, one with soapy water using a car wash soap, the other with clean water to rinse. I spray the bike down with the hose, wash it using a microfiber wash mitt and rinse with the hose. I dry it with another microfiber drying cloth and then use a liquid ice polish to shine it up. I wash the windscreen and mirrors with Plexus. I wash the wheels last and with a cotton cloth because I don't want my microfiber cloths stained with grime and grease. All this in on a cold bike. Afterwards I go for a ride.

The two bucket system works well. I have the silk white and I hose it off first, use the two bucket system to wash with Meguiars NXT (Ph balanced) shampoo and using the microfibre mitt, hose it off gently and dry with microfibre towels. Best not to use any polymers or polishes on the white

 

[se7en]

Great stuff for matte...

Chemical Guys - Complete Matte Kit - Wash, Spray Detailer and Sealant/Protectant (3 Items)

 

[1uglybastard]

Great stuff for matte...

Chemical Guys - Complete Matte Kit - Wash, Spray Detailer and Sealant/Protectant (3 Items)

I watched the video in this link. what is it with people unnecessarily adding slow motion and techno music to their vids? it's a car wash video, not a Michael Bay movie. It actually made me laugh.

Anyway, I can't say from experience, but I wonder about these high priced chem guys products. I think they just cashed in on today's social media marketing. not hating on them for it, but I don't see myself purchasing their products unless they make something unique that I can't find at an auto store for cheaper.

 

[se7en]

I watched the video in this link. what is it with people unnecessarily adding slow motion and techno music to their vids? it's a car wash video, not a Michael Bay movie. It actually made me laugh.

Anyway, I can't say from experience, but I wonder about these high priced chem guys products. I think they just cashed in on today's social media marketing. not hating on them for it, but I don't see myself purchasing their products unless they make something unique that I can't find at an auto store for cheaper.

I don't consider that too expensive as it takes very little per wash, so it will last a long time. But to each their own, I supose. It's cheaper than my personal shampoo...:nerd:

 

[steeve]

Oh my, how do I clean my bike?

Well I use the two bucket method, using either Zymol Clear shampoo or the Nanolex Matte shampoo. I use a lambswool mitt and not a sponge. Wash the bike carefully from the top down.
My white S has Expel Steal PPF on it and then Nanolex Matte ceramic coating on that. The gloss paint has Nanolex Si3D on it and that doesn't get washed ever with the Matte shampoo but with the Zymol Clear. Bike is rinsed with clean water then rinsed with filtered water. Then dried with plenty of drying towels before being blown dry in the nooks and crannies with a warm air blower that filters the air.
It's than kept under a soft lined bike cover. The bike is cleaned after each ride.

Don't use any 'polish' on your bike as by their very nature all polishes are abrasive, a polish should be only used for corrective purposes. Use a good quality wax, or glaze (like Zymol or Swissvax) or a ceramic coating like Si3D or Gtechniq Crystal Serum, the lite is easier to apply.

Google all of these if you want more info or I could provide some links.

 

[Hugg727]

Great stuff for matte...

Chemical Guys - Complete Matte Kit - Wash, Spray Detailer and Sealant/Protectant (3 Items)

I also use their stuff...but I havent let water touch my SS yet. I use Hondabrite on the wheels and the matte spray detailer on the bike. I also use Plexus on the windscreen.

 

[Ventura17SS]

I have no idea where this should go, so I'm posting it here. How do you all wash your SS? Water, rinseless, or waterless? Wax or sealant? Both? Add quick detail after the wax and sealant? Just hose it off? Some guys tell me that water has never touched their bike (except rain) and others say you can't safely wash without water. Frankly, I'm pretty confused at this point. What method(s) do you guys use?

In SoCal, riding the in the rain isn't an issue (unless you're nuts and choose to ride on the 20 days a year it rains), so I slapped on a coat of Chemical Guys wax/polish after I got the 'S' home. I clean the fairing, windscreen, and paint work using Plexus after every two or three rides. I wipe the brake dust from the wheels using IPA every few rides, and Giovanna Maria looks brand new. I passed the 2,000 mile milestone today.
When I finally do give her a "real" bath, I'll use S-100 where the sun don't shine, purple degreaser elsewhere, scrub a little, hose her down, blow dry away as much residue moisture as possible and she'll shine like a new dime. Lube the chain and ride like the wind! Or something like that....