Waxing the bike

NewRider · Aug 4, 2014

What wax do you guys use for the bike's tank cover and front fairing?

The spots that are in contact knees have lost the glorious shine. And however how many time (up to 10 times) I've tried to wax these specific areas I see almost no real improvement. I've been using the Turtle Wax and I hope there is better stuff than this BUt I don't want to end up buying a sample of all the darn brands before finding the right one.

What brands do you use?

R6chase · Aug 4, 2014

Wow, do you store the bike inside? I commented on you're other post first but it seems like you have more serious problems then wear and tear.

gatdammit · Aug 4, 2014

Yeah, I've never waxed mine in over a year and 8000 miles. I just keep it well coated with spray polish and it still looks like new. The only part showing wear is the black plastic around the filler cap for obvious reasons. It is always garaged overnight.

PomGP · Aug 4, 2014

I only ever use McGuires products, I believe they are the best I have ever found.
I must however admit to being horribly pedantic when it comes to my bikes, they sleep indoors in a dry garage, never go out in the rain if I can help it, and are cleaned and fully waxed and polished once a week included a variety of products that would make your average hair salon proud

Once every few months I will pull off all the plastics and clean everything underneath too.
I also clean the chain with paraffin and only use racing quality chain wax as it does not fling off too badly

My mates always say that a second hand bike bought from me is better than when it left the factory

Oh and no I don't have marital problems

Messing around with my bike just keeps me sane

gatdammit · Aug 5, 2014

I used to be that way with my vehicles. Then I had kids.

Braaap · Aug 5, 2014

PLEDGE furniture polish!

gatdammit · Aug 5, 2014

Pledge? You'd have to pay me to try it. It does work damn well on furniture, though.

Consumer reports rated Zymol as one of the really good affordable waxes years ago. I've stuck with that. There's so many painted-to-black plastic transitions on this bike that I'd spend more time cleaning excess off the black parts than waxing, I'm sure.

Braaap · Aug 5, 2014

I am not joking. haha I promise it works. I have used it on all of my motorcycles...only kept them for 2 years each. I would spray the ENTIRE bike (minus the tires of course) & then detail with a small towel, wiping every little spot down.

NewRider · Aug 5, 2014

Ok. I gave the pledge a go and how can I say? Arrrgh! Holy molly! But first; Thanks a lot Braaap. You made my day.

The results are pretty phenomenal I would say. It went so well in some areas it is rather scary. The bike look like fresh out of the factory. It's just sad I haven't though about this trick before with the bike. And the worst in all of this is I have used it for furniture in the past but my oh my does it pull the rabit out of the hat for this as well. woo!

Pay special attention to the black tank centre cover.

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And from another post where I share my hate of plastic...

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Dryer · Aug 5, 2014

You'll have to update us so we can hear how long the improvement lasts. I've always use a Honda polish or related knock off. The pledge results look amazing though!

kuksul08 · Aug 5, 2014

Use 3M Paint Defender spray. Looks perfectly clear, washes easily, and protects the paint. Can be peeled off later with no ill effects.

Braaap · Aug 6, 2014

AWESOME! another plus is that is smells AMAZING! haha
I have used pro-polish spray before, which is for motorcycles, but I hold fast to Pledge now b/c of how easy it is to use & the fact that I have NEVER noticed any dull effects on the plastics over time from the use of it as with other products.

gatdammit · Aug 6, 2014

Whoa! Sold! That is a dramatic before and after. My black stuff needs it.

Another bonus is that Pledge is less than half the price of those pro-polishes.

gatdammit · Aug 6, 2014

Just to be sure: OK on metal, too? Like rims and chassis?

Braaap · Aug 7, 2014

YES! Spray it on everything! I don't think it will suffice for chain lube, so make sure you keep using chain lube on the chain.

NewRider · Mar 9, 2015

Okay. Little update about this Pledge product.

It does the trick but does not last forever. I've took the habit to apply two or three layer s every second wash.

So far so good.

NewRider · Mar 9, 2015

PomGP said:
I only ever use McGuires products, I believe they are the best I have ever found.
I must however admit to being horribly pedantic when it comes to my bikes, they sleep indoors in a dry garage, never go out in the rain if I can help it, and are cleaned and fully waxed and polished once a week included a variety of products that would make your average hair salon proud
Once every few months I will pull off all the plastics and clean everything underneath too.

So I did as well during the winter.

I brought ther bike litelraly inside the house and left it in the living room as some sort of trophy.

Cleaned it quite thourougly by removing every panels and waxed it with multiple layers. I've also tried tried the Meguiar's Black Wax. Fantastic product for the red panel. It does work like a charm unlike the turtle wax. Very happy I've tied it. The bike look like fresh out of the box.

PomGP · Mar 10, 2015

NewRider said:
So I did as well during the winter.

I brought ther bike litelraly inside the house and left it in the living room as some sort of trophy. Cleaned it quite thourougly by removing every panels and waxed it with multiple layers. I've also tried tried the Meguiar's Black Wax. Fantastic product for the red panel. It does work like a charm unlike the turtle wax. Very happy I've tied it. The bike look like fresh out of the box.

I bet you gained a great sense of satisfaction from caring for your baby

I certainly do, my wife says it keeps me out of mischief

BelloStrada · Mar 10, 2015

My experience with Pledge is that it will yellow over time when exposed to ultraviolet light. I used it several times on my road bike (bicycle) on the advice of a friend, and after a year of applying it about once a month the entire frame turned a horrific shade of yellow, and nothing will take it off.
Others may have better experiences with it...I'm just relating mine.

Bsucardinalfan · Mar 17, 2015

I used to work for SCJ, the company that makes pledge. If you don't wipe it down really good you will get a buildup. Try the multi surface pledge. Also sold as a windex product but is the same formula. Works really well.

If you want to stick to auto specific products try maguire's or griots quick detailing spray.

Waxing the bike

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