Keeping the KDX Clean

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KDX220PHIL
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Keeping the KDX Clean

Post by KDX220PHIL »

What do you use for keeping your bike clean. I know there are products available that make the cleaning procress much easier, but the bike -specific ones cost quite a bit around here. There is a product at the local bike store they sell for $20.00 CDN for 750ml. CRAZY!!!. You Spray it on the bike when it is clean and it acts as a polish and protective barrier for metals and plastics. Wont hurt the graphics either. It makes a protective, but slippery , coating on all parts wich allows for dirt, mud, and grease to be sprayed off with water.
I read in earlier posts of using WD-40, does not sound like a good idea to me, it is a good solvent with a mild lubricant but corrodes metal. Where I work, in a machine shop, it is against our regulations to use it anywhere, even as a cleaner. Not only that but it seems to work well for removing stickers.
I really dont like the idea of Castrol Super Clean either as it mentions on the back of the bottle not to use on , plastics, painted surfaces, motorcycles, and aluminum.
Anybody Know of any other products????
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Indawoods
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Post by Indawoods »

I use a power washer....or plain old Dawn and a rag..... WD for the motor and chain....some Future Acrylic Floor Wax for the plastics. The WD burns off in the first few minutes of riding so I no worries. It would take a long time for WD to corrode anything wouldn't it? It's just a water displacer anyway. I don't know if they have Future Wax in Canada but they should have something similar. A friend of mine uses Pledge....
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Post by layoutd »

simple green
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Post by KDX220PHIL »

Thanks, once again Inda for all your useful advice, I will check for the other products at Wal-Mart( We do have these in Canada now, and they sell mainly American products). As for the WD, maybe it isnt so bad since it is being burned off the engine afterwards, but I wouldn't put it on any plastics or o-ring chains, it is supposed to be hard on polymers. I use Kersone on the chain, then let it soak in SAE90 overnight (When I take the chain off). There are many people who seem to use it and have had nothing but good luck, but if there is a chance for bad luck, I will get it.
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Post by KDXer »

I'm another supporter of Dawn or similar in warm water. If shes real dirty I use the power washer as a pre-rinse. I use silicon spray underneath the fenders to stop mud sticking and it works well. I use WD-40 on the chain to clean it and over everything (except brake rotors) after washing to displace the water.
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Post by m0rie »

Purple Power, comes in 1 Gallon containers from Walmart. Works like nothing else. Spray it on, let it sit for a bit and scrub/spray it off. I generally follow up with some WD on the chain and axle areas.

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Post by Mr. Wibbens »

I have a hot water spigot outside connected to my garden hose

Amazing how hot water cleans off mud! :supz:

I have a pressure waher too but the hot water works so good I hardly ever lug it out
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Post by quailchaser »

layoutd wrote:simple green
and water
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Post by KDXGarage »

I have used Pledge on the fenders in the past. It did OK as best I can remember.

On the chain, I just use a stiff, plastic bristle brush, then Wd-40, then chain lube.

Be careful with power washers. That is why my '94 has one side panel with numberplate background and one without. :shock:
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Post by cmot »

I use mashed potatos and gravy, nothing sticks. :partyman: Sometimes I'll use a good shampoo, then rinse repeat. :rolleyes:
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Post by jackpiner57 »

Like KAY DEE EXER said, "(except brake rotors)" You don't want anything on the pads and rotors but plain water. Some soaps are detrimental to both.
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Post by hoodoo »

All I use is this stuff called Awsome Orange. It is like any other citrus based cleaner except it cheap and it works. I get it at the dollar store for of course a buck. I spray as much as i think it needs and let it sit for a couple of minutes. The dirt starts to breakup as soon as the solution hits it. It washes totaly clean and the bike shines like new. I hardly ever have to scrub. Then I wipe the chain clean of water and spray some chain lube on it.
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Post by KDXGarage »

Be careful of SImple Green on aluminum. You can read more on their website.
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Post by FLAKDX »

I don't know if you can get it there but in the states we can get a product called Moto-Pro bike wash. Works just as good as S-100 or Hondabrite. Spary on let sit for a few minutes and rinse. It leaves the bike spotless and doesn't harm the Aluminum. I like Moto-Pro for the fact that it cost about 1/3rd as much Hondabrite

Hondabrite is 5 to 6 dollars a quart
Moto-Pro is like 12 for a gallon :)

WD-40 everything but the brakes when done to displace water then a quick shot of contact cleaner on the brakes just to be sure.
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