waxes for the bike

[LENSMAN]

I'm getting ready to wash and wax my bikes. I decided to try Turtle Wax's ICE spray on wax. I get good results using the regular Turtle Wax spray on my car.

A test on the Blackbird (black paint) to compare the two has  the ICE looking a little glossier. It definitely has a different feel to it.

What's everyone else using?  

[Slartibartfast]

Just started using the same stuff and I was surprised by how well it works and how easy it is to apply.

[Jetpilot5]

Eagle One NanoWax Spray.  Sounds very similar to the Turtle Wax Ice.  Easy to use, no white residue, no elbow grease required, seems to protect as well as anything else I've used.

[LENSMAN]

Meguiars and Turtle  Wax both have stuff in  the $22 range, I doubt it's that much better.  I'm going to get a hold of the MSDS sheets and compare formulations, particularly between the two Turtle Wax Ice products - 9 vs. 22 dollars. I'll let you know.  

[Justin]

What's everyone else using?  

Rain  

[Andrew]

Wash & wax your bike    



Ok I may wash the GSA off before major service , no not really,  but I do wipe off the bugs from the windshield and headlights once and a while

[Kraz]

Ok I may wash the GSA off before major service

That's what the dealer's really paid for...  

Wax...  

[02Tac]

I use Turtle Wax Ice in the paste form.

[LENSMAN]

  I didn't think this would be funny. Evidently, there's a lot of rat bike owners on STN- or I'm getting razzed by dirt bike riders. Most people who don't take care of the outside, probably don't take care of the inside, either. I guess they lube/clean their chains either.  

I checked the msds sheets on the two Turtle Wax products:

More petroleum distillates in the Ice,  flammable, and no isopropanol. Plus it's clear in appearance.

The cheaper express wax has the alcohol in it and is milky white in appearance. I think the Ice is more silicon based versus a carnuba or other wax in suspension in the express wax. The Ice put on a patch of tail light assembly in my SV gives a similar shine to Armor All. The Ice, I'd say, is not waxed based.  They're both good.

[Papa Lazarou]

Autoglym. It's the dogs bollocks.

[bomber]

a good wax DOES make the big chunks easier to knock off (which happens 3 or 4 times a year) . . . .chain inspected and lubed every 3-400 miles, oil changed every 5K, but, seriously, to do a good job of washing and waxing means the bike is cool (as in not run in a few hours), and the weather is decent.

If the weather is decent, the bike isn't cool. I'd rather ride.

[Jetpilot5]

   I didn't think this would be funny. Evidently, there's a lot of rat bike owners on STN- or I'm getting razzed by dirt bike riders. Most people who don't take care of the outside, probably don't take care of the inside, either. I guess they lube/clean their chains either.  

Don't worry about it.  Some care more for the appearance of their bikes than others.  I figure most bikes are a fairly substantial purchase so why not take care of it.  Taking the time to clean thoroughly helps me get to know the machine and gives the opportunity to find small issues before they become big ones.  Doesn't hurt to have a bike that still looks new when it comes time to sell or trade either.  I'll keep mine looking good and still get in 10,000 - 12,000 miles most years.

[LENSMAN]

You got it.  
Fred Rau (MCN) wrote an article about how he'd find loose fasteners and other potential problems while cleaning the bike.  I started washing mine at night by illuminating with flood lights. It shows up swirl marks and leaves the day free to ride, plus you can a beer or two while your cleaning it.

[Andrew]

   I didn't think this would be funny. Evidently, there's a lot of rat bike owners on STN- or I'm getting razzed by dirt bike riders. Most people who don't take care of the outside, probably don't take care of the inside, either. I guess they lube/clean their chains either.  

Nope not me I keep on top of all the machines own (mechanic by trade), I just feel that folks who spend more time waking and polishing are usually the ones who have to pay to have the bike serviced and waxing gives them the feeling that they are actually doing something important. Don't get me wrong If you like it keep it up.

THis reminds me of a shop I worked at some time ago. We had a lot of expensive euro cars coming through. THe cars & owners mostly broke down into two categories, Drivers & Pussies who wish they had the balls to drive the machines like they were made to be driven. THe ones who liked to drive and drove hard (I bought it to have fun type) seemed to have the fewest mechanical issues and the ones waxed and detailed them to death (I should be driving a camery type but don't I look cool in my red car) always had problems.

No offense intended, For me bikes are machines that I buy to ride & enjoy, I care not what others think of them.

[mxvet57]

Don't worry about it.  Some care more for the appearance of their bikes than others.  I figure most bikes are a fairly substantial purchase so why not take care of it.  Taking the time to clean thoroughly helps me get to know the machine and gives the opportunity to find small issues before they become big ones.  Doesn't hurt to have a bike that still looks new when it comes time to sell or trade either.  I'll keep mine looking good and still get in 10,000 - 12,000 miles most years.

Find any birds hiding in the fairing lately?  

[mxvet57]

Washing the bike is a little overrated.

[Cablebandit]

The front of mine is usually furry.  Then I blast it with a power-washer every now and again.  

The only polish it ever sees is Pledge.

[dietDrThunder]

I haven't used anything buy Honda spray polish (or Pledge sometimes...same stuff I think) and a rag in 15 years. I would be interested in some sort of spray-on-rinse-off wax that left a more durable wax-ish finish though.

[Jetpilot5]

Find any birds hiding in the fairing lately?  

Not lately, but I haven't had the plastic off this machine yet.

[Fat Boy]

Z-2 PRO Show Car Polish for Clear Coated Car Finishes:

http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=Z-2&Category_Code=Zaino&Product_Count=8

and this for the plastics:

303 Aerospace Protectant:

http://www.303products.com/shop303/index.cfm/category/65/303-aerospace-protectant.cfm

[Hambonee]

Meguiar's Gold Class Paste Wax and Plexus...

Both are not overly expensive and work really well. Plexus is especially nice, makes getting the bugs off super easy!

http://www.plexusplasticcleaner.com/about.html

[Bama67]

Put me down as one of the losers/pussies that actually washes and waxes his bike.  

But thats the kind of person I am; I spent 9k of my hard earned money on something, and I am going to take care of it. I don't guess I am one of the cool kids that has an adventure bike to get all muddy and beat up and be to busy "riding" to wash it.  

I can barely squeeze in the time to do it, since keeping the bike waxed makes it so easy to clean, it takes me a whopping 15 minutes to do it.
I use spray wax or furniture polish.  

[Mastros2]

I use the turtlewax ice wax.  I like it.  I may use a paste from time to time but during quick washes, its the spray.

[06_wi_vfr]

Washed regularly.  Pledge if anything.  Pledge with a microfiber cloth is all ya need.  

[TwoWhldTerror]

Nope not me I keep on top of all the machines own (mechanic by trade), I just feel that folks who spend more time waking and polishing are usually the ones who have to pay to have the bike serviced and waxing gives them the feeling that they are actually doing something important. Don't get me wrong If you like it keep it up.

I can see some of the logic here...but it is dangerous to make such broad assumptions. I do my own maintenance (short of the valve adjustment on the FJR) and yet you could eat off my swing arm. To me good maintenance and a clean bike go hand-in-hand. Was that leak there before? Do I see a new drip? What the heck, how did that fairing crack? All are good things to know about and easy to find when one washes/cleans the bike on a regular basis.

My 2006 FJR (bought used) looks almost NEW, even had that very compliment) but it has over 22K miles. Riding hard, riding a lot, does not mean the bike needs to look like something out of a Mad Max movie.

[Andrew]

I can see some of the logic here...but it is dangerous to make such broad assumptions. I do my own maintenance (short of the valve adjustment on the FJR) and yet you could eat off my swing arm. To me good maintenance and a clean bike go hand-in-hand. Was that leak there before? Do I see a new drip? What the heck, how did that fairing crack? All are good things to know about and easy to find when one washes/cleans the bike on a regular basis.

My 2006 FJR (bought used) looks almost NEW, even had that very compliment) but it has over 22K miles. Riding hard, riding a lot, does not mean the bike needs to look like something out of a Mad Max movie.

Dang I did 58k on my FJR, and repaired one leak, as well as 3 valve checks (one actually needed a shim) Might have washed it once before every long trip and maybe once when returning home.

[TwoWhldTerror]

Dang I did 58k on my FJR, and repaired one leak, as well as 3 valve checks (one actually needed a shim) Might have washed it once before every long trip and maybe once when returning home.

Cool. I am not saying one way is right, and one is wrong, just saying that because someone cleans a bike does not mean they do not RIDE the bike!  

[MacGyver]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned using detailing clay to clean the paint before buffing or waxing.  HUGE difference in results.  

I like to keep nice things looking nice.  There are a buttload of cleansers, soaps, waxes etc etc... but THE one product that blows my socks off for all around goodness is this:

http://www.amazon.com/32oz-Optimum-Rinse-Wash-Shine/dp/B000E9TS6O

All you need is a warm bucket of water plus a bit of the ONR will result in eye opening ease of keeping the scooter clean.  No hose required. Just a wipe down with clean cloth after washing from the bucket.  No need to rinse the bike down ahead of time either.   I was very hesitant about that at first but it's safe.

You won't find this stuff on the Advance Auto shelves.  Amazon seems to be the easiest source to date.

What sold me on paying that much for a product was the fact I could also use it as a detailer spray for helmets, sunglasses, car/house windows too.  And remember the detailer clay I first mentioned, you can use the ONR as a lubricant for the clay.

I can drone on and on about paint care but after hanging out with THE Barry Meguiar, he offered me one of his regional demonstrator guys for a day on how to really care for paint.  That guy opened my eyes to the details of how to make black paint look 3 feet deep.

Good stuff

p.s.  Another thing I just remembered.  The no rinse stuff is great for those that live in water restriction areas.   You can wash your bike/car whenever you want regardless what the A-hole neighbors think of you.  

[Papa Lazarou]

Good info. I shall try an 8oz bottle