how to clean an fj

[Mark Olson]

Alright guys and gals , what do you use to clean your fj .?

laundry soap ?  dish soap?

what kind of wax? 

what do you use on  the black plastic parts ?

what about the seat ?  the tires , hand grips .

just about everything done to keep the  fj looking good .

I really want to know cause i've always kinda half assed cleaned my bike .

[Dan Filetti]

Here's a tip:  I use Plexus on just about EVERYTHING.  As long as the bike is not overtly muddy it does an incredible job on paint plastic, black plastic windscreens lens covers. gauges etc etc. It seems to have a protective characteristic to it and it does an incredible job on you face shield too.  

Really, If I do the chain with WD, and then Honda-lube, do my white wheels with Simple Green (removes lube sling and break dust from the white wheels on the first wipe) and Plexus on everything else, the bike looks about as good as it can.  I only ever use a bucket and mild dish soap when the beast is filthy/ muddy, once done and dry, I launch into the above routine.

That's my process.

Dan  

[andyb]

Soap and water, lemon pledge, plexus polish.

Once every couple years.

[FJ12]

I am real keen to hear all these tips because the photo's i see on this forum of all the bikes and the the way they look and are kept is very impressive. So what do you guys use to get initial grime, grease and filth off.

Thanks Colin

[jvb_ca]

I concur with Dan....gets a spray and wipe of Plexus after just about every ride. Gets the bug splats off and shines the plastics very nice. I do my helmet and visor at the same time. Mother's metal polish on the alum bits and wheels maybe twice a year, and a good Teflon based paint sealer/wax on the tank and fairings a couple of times a year. Other than that just a good wipe with those trick micro fiber rags...

Cheers....

[Dan Filetti]

Yeah, the micro-fiber rag does make a huge difference.  It's all I use.  As to the earlier question regarding grime and grit there's a hierarchy; Mild Dish Soap if it's real bad, Simple Green for really greasy stuff, and Plexus for the rest.  I do not polish any metal on the Gixxer....

Dan

[Mark Olson]

so plexus polish is the way to go and some simple green for the degrease.

what about the seat?

[ssuv93]

I have some experience with this stuff, as my wife and I had a auto, motorcycle detail shop.  First, I ask you, please, please do not use dish soap on painted surfaces.  Dish soap is good at dissolving oil, grease and WAX.  The dish soap will dry out your paint.  If you do use it please use a good wax to restore the protection of the paint.  Use of a good surfactant like simple green, pink stuff, 409 etc. works well on the tougher surfaces, but can cause a little oxidation on raw aluminum (just use a little metal polish or wax).
     
     To clean a dirty bike that has not been cleaned in a while I:
          Address all scratches with compound (mix rubbing compound with water  or
               wax to a thin liquid, to make it less able to damage your paint, or use a
               scratch removing wax.
          Apply same stuff as above to any blinkers or tail lights that are dull,
                buff with a high speed buffer, preferably with a wool bonnet. Repeat
                until shiny and clear (works on plastic headlights also)
          Use metal polish on raw aluminum that is heavily oxidized.
          Remove the seat and set aside.
          Warm the engine moderately, to aid drying the engine quickly.
          Spray your cleaner on every thing that you want to clean, including paint if it is   
              really dirty or covered with bugs.
          Spray the tires with a white wall cleaner.
          Scrub really dirty parts (lube spray from the chain, oil leaks etc).
          Was the painted surfaces, wind screen and plastics with soap that is meant to
               wash cars.
          I then presure wash the entire bike, Be Carefull Here!  Use distance to control
              powerful the presure is at the surface of the bike.  Water can an  will get into
              electricle conections (the warm engine will help dry it out) and oil seals, so
              increase distance on any part that you don't want water to get into. Get
              closer on bad points like the engine cases, center stand, wheels etc. 
           Use a chamois cloth or "sorbies" to dry the paint and plastics.
           The engine should be dry enough to start at this point.  Run engine till Hot.
                If the engine does not start, just let it sit an dry for a while.
            Wax all of the painted surfaces with a good quality wax, work into paint well
                  and be careful not to put wax in places you can't get it off, emblems,
                  black plastic etc. Remove as soon as you can with a soft cotton cloth
                  (baby diapers are great).
             Use a soft "tooth Brush" made of hair or other non scratching stuff to
                   remove excess wax  (detailing).
              Dress tires with vinyl dressing or tire shine.  Obviosly only on the side
                   walls, not the tread.     
              If seat is leather, clean with leather cleaner, then apply leather protector.
                   If seat is vinyl, use soap and water to clean, then dress with vinyl
                   dressing if desired.  There is some that is not slippery.
               Re-lube chain if necessary.
               On chrome, you can use a 000 steel wool and wax or metal polish to remove
                    some blemishes like light rust and discoloration.  Just remember
                    that every time you do this, you are removing some chrome.

    If brave and competent, you can remove all of the dirt and dust that rests in cracks and inaccessible places with the cleaner and pressure washer. I can get gook out of handle bar controls and  under the seat. You can also use your cleaner and compressed air in the small places.  Apply cleaner and use an air gun to blow out the cleaner and dirt Also the pressure washer will remove any "splatter" from the buffing and aluminum polish.  Only do as much as you feel comfortable doing. You can damage electrical stuff doing this, use your own discretion.  I have done thousands of cars and hundreds of bikes and only had two major problems, both no-starts.  Both just had to dry longer, they did run rough until fully dried.  One, a BMW had to go the dealer to get the check engine light reset.  Again I would caution any one who is not comfortable to listen to their gut and stay away from the controls and under seat area.  It takes me about three hours start to finish on a regular bike, not a two wheeled car, like a goldwing. If any one wants, email me with questions on individual problems, and I will try to help.  Brake fluid on paint?  No clue.

  Caution, professional driver on a closed course, do not attempt at home.

              Murray.

[mst3kguy]

3 guys i'd like to hear from:

1) ocd-king david raforth.  the man could find dirt on a surgical instrument;

2) father pat conlon, from the appearance of his fj, he knows how to get a bike clean;

3) jim (forgot his last name), nickname is jimichrome.  he has one shiny fj.

[the fan]

Dean, did you know that you have a gold colored chain on your FJ? or that the wheels are different colors?

[rktmanfj]

Dean, did you know that you have a gold colored chain on your FJ? or that the wheels are different colors?

Now you just leave Dean alone... I like to park my bike next to his, so mine doesn't look so dirty.     

Randy T
Indy

[SlowOldGuy]

Number 1 rule to keeping a bike clean:  Don't ride it!  Keep it locked away in a hermetically-sealed container and covered up.

Number 2:  If you have to ride it, don't ride it where there's dirt (this one seems so obvious).

If none of that works for you, then after you buy it fresh off the showroom floor, take it directly home (using the cleanest route possible), and proceed to apply a 3 inch thick base coat of wax.  Wash weekly and refresh the wax on a semi-daily basis under cover of darkness lest stray UV light attempt to deteriorate the luster.

Remember, nothing shines like freshly waxed wax.

DavidR.
Fresh from cleaning 200+ miles of bug guts off a very shiny '85 FJ.  My first ride of any length since March!  If I can just convince the wife that this is legitimate therapy, I'll have it made.  Regardless, it was a much needed physical and mental recharge.  Kind of like a nice coat of wax for the soul.  :-)

[rvnmaniac]

 Well David that is good news. Your doing good enough to get out and ride..... GREAT!!!!

[mst3kguy]

Dean, did you know that you have a gold colored chain on your FJ? or that the wheels are different colors?

yes, i thought i would go with a steelers theme.  right, herny?

[rktmanfj]

Like your other bike, Dean?     

http://fjowners.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=237

Randy T
Indy