Taking the bike to a car wash

[Kiwi]

I wanna get my engine all nice and clean. 
Can i take it to a car wash ( the do it yourself kind, with the high pressure hose) ?

A friend of mine suggested oven cleaner on the engine and then washing it off... that sounds... well odd

[fret not]

Read the list of ingredients on the MSDS for your oven cleaner.  Most of that stuff has strong base chemical which will do a bad thing to aluminium.  Your auto parts store will have engine cleaner that will service well.  We used to use gasoline to wash greasy parts, not politically correct anymore and more toxic too.  Paint thinner will work.

[Tiger]

 :) I power wash all the Visions when I bring them in for rebuilds...however, be carefull of bearing/seal areas.

I sometimes use a brush on paint stripper to remove the old clear coat and then wash off.

Then apply a good quality aluminum cleaner (think aluminum wheels!!) and wash off again.

Now, using something like 'Mothers Aluminum Polish' you can polish up that motor...Ummm, I pass on this part!! LOL

          8).......TIGER....... 8)

[67GTO]

If the grease is real thick I'll use Gunk Foaming Engine Degreaser and a parts cleaning brush.

but if it's not too bad I'll use Westleys White Wall cleaner and a soft brush.

I wont leave either one on too long, and make sure you hose it all off real good

[QBS]

Power washing can be really bad for the health of bearing, seals, electrical switches and related connections.  It can easily force water into tight places that are intended to remain water free forever.  And, once in, the water can't get out with obviously bad results.

For best results use an appropriate degreaser (think Gunk and the like), and take your time to love on and get to know your bike.  This also gives you a closer inspection of the nooks and crannies that might reveal problems before they become problems.

[67GTO]

I agree with QBS, Think garden hose, not powerwasher :)

[YellowJacket!]

When I read the title this morning I almost spewed my coffee all over my laptop again.  I had visions kiwi riding a Vision through an automated car wash...turning brushes and all.

8)

David

[Lucky]

I almost spewed my coffee all over my laptop again. 
David

At this point I think it's safe to classify this as a "Drinking Problem" lol

[funkamongus]

LOL

[GT @ oh.]

I used engine cleaner when she was near new and off came the clearcoat and soon came the tarnished look DOH!

[67GTO]

If you want the engine to shine, the clearcoat needs to come off. No other
way to do it.

Dan

[kev10104]

That red looks gorgeous GTO!

[Armored_Hearse]

A good hand-wash also allows you to get up close and see if anything is wrong with the bike.  --  John

[inanecathode]

I'll take the bikes to the carwash, but i'm not stupid enough to be close enough to the bike with the wand to blast holes in anything.

Presoak spray from a distance, soapy scrubby brush (only after blasting dirt out of it with the rinse), then a rinse from a distance. That water slows down pretty quick, just ends up being an all over garden hose experience.

[vadasz1]

I wonder if going thru a touchless carwash while on the bike would cause any damage to the rider? 

I can just see kiwi being flung off the bike and landing falt on the wall.  Like somthine from the old WB cartoon days.

[Kiwi]

A touchless car wash might be a good way to test wet weather gear  ;D.  But would the thing that grabs your car tire and pulls you along be able to grab a motorcycle tire.... or perhaps it could grab the bike and pull it along riderless !

[Lucky]

my engine was a mess, i striped it & polished it for a few years, but hated the upkeep time.  i've since painted it with chromium-aluminum industrial paint from Ace.  it's a brush on, but levels right out.  the color almost perfectly matches the final drive & looks good even close up.

we're going to do Kits engine the same...

--Lucky