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Cleaning, polishing, bug and tar spot removal, protective coatings

Posted: Tue May 19, 2015 1:40 pm
by Dave
As mentioned on other threads, I have recently swapped out my “adventure” bikes for pretty bikes.

I feel that the previous routine of: cold pre rinse, Muc-off spray, cold rinse followed by dipping in ACF50 may not be the best for the visual appearance, great for me and gives my hair that glossy shine so much talked about on beauty forums and tv adverts, not so for the bikes.

So, what do you do to your bikes to keep then looking their best?

Products to be used?

Products not to be used?

Re: Cleaning, polishing, bug and tar spot removal, protective coatings…

Posted: Tue May 19, 2015 2:24 pm
by al
Cleaning? :confused

Re: Cleaning, polishing, bug and tar spot removal, protective coatings…

Posted: Tue May 19, 2015 9:06 pm
by willian
Tar spots - petrol on a microfibres cloth

No smoking allowed obviously!

Btw - You clean a bike?
I thought you just sold them once they got dirty.....

Re: Cleaning, polishing, bug and tar spot removal, protective coatings…

Posted: Wed May 20, 2015 7:20 am
by al
I usually have some Autoglym Super Resin polish in the garage and that seems to get rid of tar spots with very little effort.

Re: Cleaning, polishing, bug and tar spot removal, protective coatings…

Posted: Wed May 20, 2015 11:50 am
by The Rossi Kid
Agreed AutoGlym Super Rsein to deal with Tar.

Any old wax shampoo from Costco after a soak. Then microfiber cloths to dry and appropriate for surface polish. Found an excellent Matte paint polish but for the life of me I can't remember the name, i'll try to remember to post it up once I get back.

ACF50 & FS365 added as required when the salt is about.

Re: Cleaning, polishing, bug and tar spot removal, protective coatings…

Posted: Wed May 20, 2015 4:39 pm
by Dave

Re: Cleaning, polishing, bug and tar spot removal, protective coatings…

Posted: Fri May 22, 2015 3:40 pm
by bob r6
Sdoc 101 do a kit that has everything in not the cheapest stuff but good quality!

Re: Cleaning, polishing, bug and tar spot removal, protective coatings…

Posted: Wed May 27, 2015 7:16 am
by al
It's funny what you find when you look through the older posts on this forum ...

Post by Dave » 05 Oct 2011 14:12
Dave wrote:ACF50, great stuff to protect your bike, and it even removes tar spots if you give them a rub


It is currently discounted at Nippy Normans
http://www.nippynormans.com/products/special-offers

ACF50 info
http://www.allyearbiker.co.uk/ACF50.html

http://www.acf-50.co.uk/

Re: Cleaning, polishing, bug and tar spot removal, protective coatings…

Posted: Wed May 27, 2015 1:39 pm
by Dave

Re: Cleaning, polishing, bug and tar spot removal, protective coatings…

Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2015 12:41 pm
by al
I found this on the interweb and thought it looks interesting - http://allyearbiker.co.uk/

There is at least one local guy on FacePage who is franchised - https://www.facebook.com/pages/All-Year ... b=overview

Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2015 1:53 pm
by The Rossi Kid
Allan Duff in conjunction with Shirlaws. Good reputation and very high standard of work. Seems to be good value too!

Re: Cleaning, polishing, bug and tar spot removal, protective coatings…

Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2015 4:10 pm
by boydie
Tardis by Autosmart or available through those car polishing guys at Kintore. Really good for those tar spots. :2up

Re: Cleaning, polishing, bug and tar spot removal, protective coatings…

Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2015 1:55 pm
by The Rossi Kid
The Rossi Kid wrote:Found an excellent Matte paint polish but for the life of me I can't remember the name, i'll try to remember to post it up once I get back.
From "TheChemicalGuys" Meticulous Matte Detailer-For Satin Finish & Matt Finish Paint and Clear Bra (16oz)

Highly recommended stuff helping to keep the 675 looking like new!! :freebird

Re: Cleaning, polishing, bug and tar spot removal, protective coatings…

Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2015 8:25 pm
by al
Sounds too much like hard work!

Re:

Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2015 2:29 pm
by Feckdeamon
The Rossi Kid wrote:Allan Duff in conjunction with Shirlaws. Good reputation and very high standard of work. Seems to be good value too!
£65 quid for an immaculate bike. I don't think I'll ever bother cleaning mine again, twice a year to see Allan and a wee hose off if it gets minging in between, and I'll probably save money on chemicals and consumables!

Re: Cleaning, polishing, bug and tar spot removal, protective coatings…

Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2015 1:18 pm
by Graeme
A rag with WD40, Brasso, or plain old T-Cut will remove tar spots, no need for exotic potions.

Re: Cleaning, polishing, bug and tar spot removal, protective coatings…

Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2015 1:27 pm
by al
Graeme wrote:A rag with WD40, Brasso, or plain old T-Cut will remove tar spots, no need for exotic potions.
Still got the GSXR Graeme?

Re: Cleaning, polishing, bug and tar spot removal, protective coatings…

Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2015 1:31 pm
by Graeme
Yeah, it's in for an MOT re-test today, pending some minor repairs!

Re: Cleaning, polishing, bug and tar spot removal, protective coatings…

Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2015 2:20 pm
by al
What's the mileage on that now?

Re: Cleaning, polishing, bug and tar spot removal, protective coatings…

Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2015 3:00 pm
by Graeme
Just coming up for 37K :)

Re: Cleaning, polishing, bug and tar spot removal, protective coatings…

Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2015 9:35 pm
by John. M
:roll showroom shine from autosave is really good and lot less effort, cleans everything on the bike, from plastics to chrome, and glass. Big bottle lasts for ages.

Re: Cleaning, polishing, bug and tar spot removal, protective coatings…

Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2016 12:52 pm
by Dave
What a handy thread to find

Re: Cleaning, polishing, bug and tar spot removal, protective coatings…

Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2016 1:08 pm
by Dave

Re: Cleaning, polishing, bug and tar spot removal, protective coatings…

Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2016 8:34 am
by Dave
I am now rethinking the cleaning products i will use after Alan Duff did the All Year Biker treatment on my bikes

Re: Cleaning, polishing, bug and tar spot removal, protective coatings

Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2016 11:49 am
by al
Dave wrote:I am now rethinking the cleaning products i will use after Alan Duff did the All Year Biker treatment on my bikes
You clean your bikes?