How do I clean a matte finish bike?
11-14-17, 09:09 AM
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How do I clean a matte finish bike?
I believe a clean bike is a happy bike and I now have a matte finish bicycle.
I use Dawn dish soap to clean my other (not matte finish) bikes as it really cuts through the grease.
Can I use that on a matte finish?
What are the dangers? Can I damage the finish?
What are the proper cleaners/method to clean/remove road grit, grime, dead worms, etc. from a matte finish bicycle?
What can I use and what shouldn't I use?
Thanks for your input.
I use Dawn dish soap to clean my other (not matte finish) bikes as it really cuts through the grease.
Can I use that on a matte finish?
What are the dangers? Can I damage the finish?
What are the proper cleaners/method to clean/remove road grit, grime, dead worms, etc. from a matte finish bicycle?
What can I use and what shouldn't I use?
Thanks for your input.
11-14-17, 09:41 AM
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Some bike manufacturers recommend it....... the dawn soap.
But I prefer to just wipe it down with a rag. Sometimes wet, sometimes dry. Sometimes soapy, sometimes wd40. Depends on what got on the bike.
Though some mfrs. say to get the hose out. I'd rather water not going places it's not wanted on a regular basis.
Go to your bike mfr's website and see what they say.
But I prefer to just wipe it down with a rag. Sometimes wet, sometimes dry. Sometimes soapy, sometimes wd40. Depends on what got on the bike.
Though some mfrs. say to get the hose out. I'd rather water not going places it's not wanted on a regular basis.
Go to your bike mfr's website and see what they say.
11-14-17, 10:15 AM
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The trick to a matte finish is keeping it matte. I'd think that Dawn dish soap with water wound be good. Using a dry rag would be bad. I'd be careful how you dry it too.
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11-14-17, 11:39 AM
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Just to add... my son has a new trek emonda alr in flat red. He just uses a pack of pre-moistened wipes made for bikes. He is infinitely more fastidious about wiping it down after every blasted ride. It still looks good to me and I don't see any less "flatness" to the paint.
11-14-17, 12:14 PM
#5
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I've had good luck cleaning matte finish bikes with furniture polish like Endust or Pledge and a good microfiber cloth. Works well on shiny finish bikes too!
11-14-17, 01:45 PM
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11-14-17, 01:53 PM
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Pledge Multi Surface cleaner with a microfiber cloth. Cleans everything, leave shiny surfaces shiny and matte surfaces matte. Cleans plastics, rubber, and vinyl as well. Windex makes a similar Multi Surface product, just be sure to get the one with vinegar. Windex has a second product that has ammonia but the ammonia can dull/discolor aluminum.
I regularly use Pledge Multi and Windex Multi w/vinegar with excellent results.
-Kedosto
I regularly use Pledge Multi and Windex Multi w/vinegar with excellent results.
-Kedosto
11-14-17, 01:55 PM
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If there's a lot of dried mud and sand on the frame, then I'll rinse with a hose to try and get the sand and mud off without rubbing it into the frame with a rag and scratching up the finish. Otherwise, I just clean my bikes with whatever cleaner I have on hand, which these days is Pedro's Green Fizz. I would think that any sort of dish soap would be fine.
11-14-17, 02:14 PM
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Dawn and a hose, wipe it down with an old bath towel. Just like all my other bikes.
11-14-17, 05:37 PM
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Wow.
My friend left me the impression I need to buy a special cleaner.
Which led me to think don't use what I have or will damage the finish.
Thanks for all the reply's.
Very helpful.
My friend left me the impression I need to buy a special cleaner.
Which led me to think don't use what I have or will damage the finish.
Thanks for all the reply's.
Very helpful.
11-14-17, 05:45 PM
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I use Fantastik and paper towels on mine. So far after two yrs, it still looks like new
11-14-17, 08:35 PM
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I use Simple Green mixed 1 part to 10 parts water. My bike is 3 years old and still looks new... except for the scratches from use.
11-14-17, 09:56 PM
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Wet rag.
Always do the easy and cheap thing first.
-Tim-
Always do the easy and cheap thing first.
-Tim-
11-15-17, 12:56 AM
#14
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I use my car detailing products to clean my bikes. They’re all fairly high end detailing products so won’t melt the bike! A basic wash with a mild car shampoo, a gentle rinse, pat dry, blow dry using a pet hairdryer, final dry with microfibre cloths and then a hybrid quick detailer/sealant. It didn’t create a shine on my matte black carbon road bike and the bike looked new two years on.
Rubber/plastic parts are cleaned with PERL which is a cleaner/restorer for plastic, rubber and leather surfaces.
I figured as I had the products anyway, I may as well use them. I buy my car detailing products in gallon containers so they last for years.
So little product is required that the cost per clean is negligible.
There are bike specific products for matt bikes but any product with the word bike in it tends to be overpriced.
Rubber/plastic parts are cleaned with PERL which is a cleaner/restorer for plastic, rubber and leather surfaces.
I figured as I had the products anyway, I may as well use them. I buy my car detailing products in gallon containers so they last for years.
So little product is required that the cost per clean is negligible.
There are bike specific products for matt bikes but any product with the word bike in it tends to be overpriced.
11-15-17, 01:12 AM
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Just hit it with this stuff
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11-15-17, 07:01 PM
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