Do's and Don'ts for cleaning a Carbon/Aluminium MTB

[wepat]

Hi All besides not using a HP hose what products are good to use to clean a Carbon/aluminium MTB I have a Camber front triangle carbon rear alu.I have only owned a alloy bike before so don't want to clean the carbon and have a huge mistake by using wrong stuff/products. Look forward to some feedback

[The MTBer]

I use clean green on my carbon.

[B20]

I hose the bike down with a normal hose. Then apply some carwash soap with a spray plastic trigger bottle and rub the dirt off with a paint brush. Hose down and dry. Then lube.

[GreatGusto]

I find that a regular Addis dust pan brush and toothbrush with turtle wax car wash liquid works well for everything except chain.

[Pulse]

I've always used Mr. Min or Pledge.

Hose down and wash using car soap, let it dry a bit and apply the polish. Makes the next round of cleaning much easier.

[Guest Karma]

Scrub those tough grease spots off with Oxy 10, wash with undiluted clean green, then Vaseline to ensure a healthy glow.

[gummibear]

Scrub those tough grease spots off with Oxy 10, wash with undiluted clean green, then Vaseline to ensure a healthy glow.

 

Doesn't dirt and dust stick to the vaseline?

 

I use MrMin to shine the frame.

[wessie12]

I used to clean my bike on a regular basis but now only once every 3 months. Everything seems to last longer. Obviously if its covered in mud I will hose it down but otherwise I try to avoid water at all cost.

[fanievb]

I hose the bike down with a normal hose. Then apply some carwash soap with a spray plastic trigger bottle and rub the dirt off with a paint brush. Hose down and dry. Then lube.

I use a small pressurised pesticide spray bottle so my fingers don't get so tired

 

 

 

[Guest Karma]

Doesn't dirt and dust stick to the vaseline?

 

I use MrMin to shine the frame.

 

Once a month I treat my bike to Brasso, it really brings out that shine, frame, chain and tyres.

[Brassmonkey]

I hose the bike down with a normal hose. Then apply some carwash soap with a spray plastic trigger bottle and rub the dirt off with a paint brush. Hose down and dry. Then lube.

I find that a regular Addis dust pan brush and toothbrush with turtle wax car wash liquid works well for everything except chain.

 

I used to work at a bike shop, washed countless bikes, and the advise is sound, but be carefull:

 

You can use a high-pressure hose, but DO NOT use the oscillating nozzle - it will remove paint / stickers etc. as well as disintegrate the threads in the tires, causing tires with bubbles, and get into bearings etc. Use the nozzle that spray's a v-shape - to know if it is safe, you should be able to hold your had in front without losing skin . I have used a high pressure hose safely on hundreds of bikes including my own, but here's the thing:

 

- Always hold more than 30cm from bike

- Avoid areas where water will lie trapped such as shifters, this goes for standard hose pipe use also.

- you can use a mild degreaser, like clean green, dirt nurse etc. but stay away from handy andy, sunlight other household detergents,as these will dull paintwork quickly. I just plain water, gets rid of all dirt without need for brushes / soaps, but there's a trick to it:

 

- When the bike is thoroughly dry, remove wheels

- Cover calipers with clean dry rag then insert part of frame / fork into plastic shopping bag (a checkers )

- Treat small moving parts (derailleurs / shifters) with w decent multi-puposed lubricant. Avoid Q20 - low quality, rather use Wurth / Motorex products. A wax based spray lubricant is best, least sticky, stays cleaner longer). - - Don't use on chain, use your particular brand of chainlube you trust.

- Use soft cotton rag to polish small components & wipe away excess lubericant.

- Spray rest bike silly with Mr. Min (has very good UV screen, stops anodized / powder coated parts fading)

- Use different rag to polish to a high shine.

- the Mr. min feeds the polymers and paintwork, protects it from fading & going brittle and improves resistance to chipping & scratching. It also maintains a protective layer between your bike and mud & dirt. Your next was will be the same, but a heck of a lot easier, since the dirt cannot stick to you bike, it will simly slide off without much resistance or need of scrubs & brushes and even need of soap. BUT! you have to do this every ride, else the protective layer wears of.

- Mud is notorious for drying out paint-work. A oily & dirty bike is better of than a bike that is degreased and got dirty again.

[Broker]

Once a month I treat my bike to Brasso, it really brings out that shine, frame, chain and tyres.

Explain to me the Brasso on tyres part.

[Guest Karma]

Explain to me the Brasso on tyres part.

[ChUkKy]

Doesn't dirt and dust stick to the vaseline?

 

I use MrMin to shine the frame.

 

Some types of fella would place that on their seatpost.

 

I am not allowed to say the "M" word because last time it got me suspended

[porqui]

Remember Brasso is basically a rubbing-compound.(it does not form a protective layer)

 

Q20 is a top quality product just don't use it on your bike.

 

Wonder how "spray and cook" would work on the lower parts of the frame?

[Brett]

 

Lol