engine cleaner and shine

Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 7:45 pm

I've been looking for a product to keep the bike clean and detailed without having to hand polish everything everytime I wash the bike. Do any of you use any special spray-on / rinse-off product that will remove the grim and leave a shiny surface, especially for those highly detailed bikes out there?

Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 9:08 pm

there was a post about a year ago on a product you spay on dingy looking engines, frames,whatever.. that glosses them up. cant remember but somebody might???

Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 9:11 pm

I use S100 products. I have only seen them for sale at bike shops, never at Crappy Tire or Napa, etc.
The Total Cycle Cleaner works on the engine, paint and vinyl. They do make an engine detailer as well but i have never found a need for it.
Just make sure the engine is COLD and NEVER let the stuff dry on the bike. Lots of rinsing and it works great.

Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 9:13 pm

No choice but to polish every time if you want it to keep looking good. Wink

Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 11:50 pm

plexus works well for paint, chrome, glass, you name it. Good product. Bit pricey at 14 bux a can but it lasts pretty good.

Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 8:39 pm

I use the S100 Cleaner for the entire bike. Rinse well, dry with a leaf blower. I use the S100 Engine Brightener on *anything* black (save the tires). The shine on the black stuff lasts a long time. I then use the Honda aerosol detailer/cleaner/polish. Might sound complicated, but the results are great, don't take forever, and last a long time. I wasn't a believer in aerosols until recently, but I'm a convert now Surprised

Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 8:44 pm

Well, ok, I don't put the Engine Brightener on the pegs, seat or grips, either. Any black metal or plastic surface, hoses, etc and it works great. Smile

Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 1:57 am

S100 !!

Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 2:07 am

solidrocktech wrote:

S100 !!

Not to be mistaken with A200 Razz

Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 2:18 am

Jeeps are Chryslers Gene!

You've been exposed to too much loud music. I said rice burner,
not LICE BURNER !!

Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 2:27 am

Always nice to keep the hot rod lookin good, bug free Wink

I used to buy the large economy size of the S100, it was about $50. i found that it does make aluminum corrode rather quickly though. I had all polished covers... Confused

Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2007 3:24 am

Simple Green, great stuff.Spray it on rub a little and hose it off. You need to scrub the wheels though.

Toddk

Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 1:57 pm

If your stuff is really bad use Awesome from the dollar store. Its yellow and guess what? Costs a dollar. Really good cleaner for anything around the house inside or out. It is really strong and I'll buy 4-5 bottles at time and even cut them down half and half with water when they get low. Ray turned me on to that stuff and works great. I'd be afraid to drink it, unlike simple green, which works wonderful, smells nice, but gets expensive as I have plenty of empty gallon containers around here to prove.

S100 also sells a engine coating for black motors in very small sizes for detailing. I havent had a chance to use it yet but I will. After a good wash I'll use it with those small cheap foam paint brushes to get it exactly where I want without using too much. I think this is the stuff you're reall looking for. I just would never use it on anything my hands, ass, or feet touch, never mind tires.

I have an old bottle of "Black Magic" around that I want to try on my switch housings. That stuff comes out like a VERY thick sticky clear substance. Kind of like syrup, but clear. A small bit on one of those sponge brushes will go a long way. Should work good for cables and brake hoses too.

I also am lazy so after I give my bike a wash I always use those "wax while u dry" products from the auto stores. I grab last nights t shirt and dry her off along with the quick wax. Feels like a wax job when I'm done and takes no time at all. I do the headlight, speedo, forks and all bodywork. Looks great and bugs and dirt dont stick as well. If I'm really feeling extra lazy I also use the "express wash" which you spray on without water, so you're good to go in 5 minutes or less without even getting the bike wet.

Look at the back of those Chapperal or Parts Unlimited catalogs and you will find a wealth of products that may not be cheap, but were designed to do exactly what you want them to do. One christmas my brother bought me a gallon bottle of s100. Not exactly a brand new bike some some of you guys have been getting but I really appreciated it! Very Happy

Wow. All this talk is giving me an itch. I'm hitting the garage. Wink

Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2007 11:44 am

I'll chime in too on the S100 products!

Been using the stuff for over 10 years! Wash, polish, Engine Brightener, you name it, I love it all!!!

I'll take their Detail Wax over the Honda spray any day of the week!!

Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2007 1:45 pm

This is what you mean
s100

Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2007 2:14 pm

That's the stuff, Rob!!

Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 4:57 pm

While the quote below applies to water, I'm sure it applies to sun as well.

Corbin website wrote:

What happens if my saddle gets wet?
Don't panic, water won't damage your saddle. Corbin covers are extremely durable and are weather resistant too. Although the materials are resistant to water intrusion, the stitching in the cover can let water in. If this happens, your behind will probably get wet a couple of the times as you squeeze the water back out while sitting on the seat. The solution to this is to let the seat dry out in the sun for awhile. If you often fnid yourself getting caught in the rain, you may want to consider a saddle rain cover.

To assure that your leather seat retains it weather resistance, we recommend conditioning your seat on a regular basis with Corbin's Saddle Cream or similar product. You should condition your seat at least as often as you wash your bike (TIP: Remove your saddle from your bike when washing it). We strongly suggest a regular coating of a good parafin or silicon based leather conditioner like ours... do NOT use cleaners or conditioners with a petroleum or kerosene base!

Good conditioning will help the leather to stay supple and age gracefully as it breaks in. Remember, much like your leather jacket, the leather will conform to your shape and develop its own unique character over time. Good care will go a long ways towards the lasting beauty of your new seat.

Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2007 12:12 am

larryg wrote:

If your stuff is really bad use Awesome from the dollar store. Its yellow and guess what? Costs a dollar. Really good cleaner for anything around the house inside or out. It is really strong and I'll buy 4-5 bottles at time and even cut them down half and half with water when they get low. Ray turned me on to that stuff and works great. I'd be afraid to drink it, unlike simple green, which works wonderful, smells nice, but gets expensive as I have plenty of empty gallon containers around here to prove.
Wow. All this talk is giving me an itch. I'm hitting the garage. Wink

Yeah what he said...Thanx Ray