342

[Beemeridian]

4532

[DJ Downunder]

You may find a lot of answers here.. http://www.ibmwr.org/clean/

btw...I use Mr Sheen on everything...plastic,paint,seat,pipe,glass...and screen.

It's a spray on furiture pollish...and a wax I think.

DJ

[Biff's R]

I only wax the tank, and two painted side panels.

I would be cautious waxing the bag rails, and other black plastic parts. The rails need every bit of friction to keep the bags on.

[Beemeridian]

56

[DJ Downunder]

We have half a dozen different spray polish cleaners that claim to be just like Mr Sheen...I don't think any others come close.

You might try writing to them and seeing if their product is available in the US under a different name...here's their address.

DJ





http://members.optusnet.com.au/~djp1/mypic1646.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~djp1/mypic1647.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~djp1/mypic1648.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~djp1/mypic1649.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~djp1/mypic1650.JPG

[Bumblebeeman1150]

Hi,

Just lurking, having been without my beloved R for some months now (damned tax assessment forced her sale...). I'm in severe withdrawal!

Mr Sheen is a light silicone-based spray polish, so you might substitute Lemon Pledge or similar. It's not as slippery as Armor-all, which is dangerous on footpegs, brakes and seats, but also doesn't last too long either. But as DJ says, good for a quick clean up.

Cheers,

[Beemeridian]

3

[rdsmith3]

I don't spend much time cleaning the bike. I wash it a couple times a year with water, car wash stuff, and a lambs wool mitt. There rest of the time, if I have time, here is what I do:

For general cleaning, I have been using this stuff, Protectall, which seems to be pretty good, and very easy to use:

http://www.protectall.com/mcs.htm

1) Should I wax the case mounts?

I use Vinylex http://www.lexol.com/vinindex.html for all the black plastic stuff.

2) Do people wax their sport windshields just to get a nice sheen?

Plexus is best for winshields. http://www.plexusplasticcleaner.com/frames.html

3) Can I wax the alternator cover? It gets it's share of road goo and there must be some coating that makes it easier to clean.

That is a problem area that I have not solved yet. WD-40 gets the gunk off, though.

4) Can I, should I, wax the muffler?

I use windex on the stainless steel.

5) Same question on the valve covers. Will the heat get squirrelly on the wax?

I use the Protectall stuff above.

6) Does one wax or polish the all that powder coating? What's the difference between wax and polish?

Protectall

7) Uhhhh, what else...well, I know what to do with the painted parts

Wax those

[greer]

I'm thinking the closest thing we have to Mr Sheen is the Honda Spray Cleaner & Polish. Sarah

[GeoffJ]

Some products I use...

- S100 or Honda Brite for washing bike
- Plexus for polishing plexi windshield (and helmet visor)
- Armorall for treating rubber parts, hoses, etc.
- Meguires Tech Wax for painted surfaces
- Mother's chrome polish for chrome and stainless parts

One bit of advise: Never use automotive tire shine products on bike tires. The liquid will migrate to the botom of the tire and compromise traction.

[taosports]

What about the stock vinyl saddle? What works to keep it conditioned and cleaned and not too slick to sit on?

Thanks!

[rdsmith3]

What about the stock vinyl saddle? What works to keep it conditioned and cleaned and not too slick to sit on?

Thanks!

Personally, I just use soap and water on that. I would not put any conditioners on it. I would rather have to replace my saddle than slide off of it!

[morrie]

My Porsche Club region researches various cleaning and similar potions and discusses them at concours sessions. We won't touch Armor All for anything since, as I am advised, it is basically silicone which is really not a good thing to use on any surface that wil be exposed to sun because it gets brown and gooky.

I have had good luck with Honda Brite or Bike Brite for cleaning. Honda Brite is the most expensive but neither is cheap. The guys at BMW SF hipped me to Buffalo Milk for a wax. You can spray it on any part of the bike and it works well for me. I have always considered Vinylex to be the best for vinyl, but it hasn't worked well on my system cases. In fact I haven't found anything that looks right on them IMO. I sometimes use Mother's Back to Black but suspect it is mostly silicone. There was a super product called Black Again, but several years ago it was bought by another company which put silicone in it and my Porsche Club region stopped selling it to its members.

[/code]

[Beemeridian]

33

[ken k]

I will second the vote for protect-all.
great stuff!
ken k