How to clean bike frame?
 

Hey there,
how to clean dirt spots from bike frame?

I've tried using cloth and water but that didnt do the trick.
it appears there's some sort of a protective layer/foil. Since I'm new to the forum I cant post pics for now.
Bike is Cube acid from 2010 20''

Thanks in advance,
Milos

Milos (and thanks for using a real name:))- The reference to "foil" is an odd one excepting some decals. Some frames do have a clear paint over the color and sometimes decals (not made of a foil). besides the commercially available specialty bike cleaners there's common dish soap and hot water, WD40 and products like Muck Off for the road tar type spots. I use Finish Line Bike Wash (pink drink) after other cleaning to remove any remaining solvent.

Not aske but- I suggest using a rag applied method od cleaner use. Sprays can get over parts of the bike that don't like cleaners or their residues. Disk brakes, tires, rim sidewalls, handle bar wrap, and ant woven materials (bags) often don't want any oil like products on them. Spray your rag, not the bike. Andy

Foil? You mean like a clear protective tape? Or do you think it's a clear coat that is put over the paint?

If it's not a protective tape, and the spots are on or in it, there might not be much you can do except just live with it.

If you have a picture, upload it to the Gallery here on BF and let us know it's there.

Welcome to BF.


Edit: Oh you did upload them.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...24842f5f4e.jpg

Others are here..... https://www.bikeforums.net/g/album/33536512

That might be staining of some sort in the clear coat or paint if it's not clear coated. Might can use some rubbing or polishing compound on it, but that comes with another set of future issues since you are removing the top surface of that clear coat or paint.

But if you haven't tried, use some cleaner of some sort. 409, Windex, or any of the cleaners you'd use on a grimy car.

Mix some isopropyl alcohol and a little Miracle Red and that will usually do pretty well at cleaning a frame without damage but will cut through grease and grime nicely. You can also use the pink cleaners like Finish Line or Muc-Off those work nicely as well and that is my home usage. In the shop we have been using a nice mix with the above and it works really well.

At my co-op, I discovered that Fast Orange Hand Cleaner does a very good job of buffing out the black marks from life on a white frame. Gently scrub the spots with the cleaner and rinse it off. Soft Scrub cleanser will probably work as well. Automotive polishes (not wax) will work as well. I just happened to have the hand cleaner on hand and tried it. I just use my fingers to polish the spots

Agree that looks like scuffs in the clear coat, or in some of the other photos into the colour coat too. First I'd try a squirt of WD40 or your preferred spray lube, and rub hard; after that some auto cutting compound or metal polish, and repeat the warning that this could just create a different problem.

Foil goes on the colander, colander goes on the head. I put a little Dawn on some car wash liquid and scrub with spomge then rinse. If that doesn't get it out, then there is usually a bit of scuffing or other damage to the clear coat (If you bought a matte frame, well, then you are silly). You can Magic Erase it, or compound it a tad, but I find leaving it alone is the best strategy. Chicks dig scars.