polishes, protectants, cleaners

[crh]

Yesterday I was filling up my 2000 K1200RS before I knew it, gas was cascading out of the filler. I immediately hung up the pump and while I was cleaning off the tank with what was at hand- the paper towels from the dispenser... the pump had malfunctioned and not turned off when it should have, I had stupidly trusted it to do so. I cleaned up with these paper towels, rolled the bike into the sun for 30 minutes without starting it, removed the seat to clean everything up there (all was dry), and prayed the bike wouldn't catch fire when I restarted it...

My question is, what are some protectants that I can apply to the paint finish to protect it? What are some cleaners/polishes for the chrome muffler and the anodized aluminum wheels, etc... I live up on a mountain in Northern California, and have a lot of wet sand and dirt on the road to my home... as much as I try to avoid this stuff, and gently clean off this stuff daily, there's gotta be some method of protecting the finish on the bike... right?

[voxmagna]

I'm sure plenty will chip in with products.

I've spilt gas on the paintwork on the plastics, left it to dry and there has been no stain. However, gas leaks on the silver covers can stain, become permanent and difficult to remove.

I had my wheels powder coated in silver and just wash off the brake dust, I haven't got time for concourse nursing, but most of the car care products should be ok. The biggest prob. on the rear wheel and can, is black dots of tire residue. I shift those with Swarfega on a soft nylon brush, or a degreaser sold for engine cleaning. The wheels are painted, NOT anodised.

My stainless can sleeve started life new and pristeen. I tend to avoid 'polishing' the surface as this can take off the surface shine and leave fine scratches. This can be a problem with chrome and metal cleaners. Once I've degreased it, I use a soft hose brush fitted with a detergent stick. That way you avoid the circular finish you can get rubbing with cloths and cleaners.

In fact, that seems to work well on the wheels too.

I luv stainless steel - swapped most of the bolts and whatever was badly finished, like the rear torsion links for stainless. Anytime I spot a non critical bolt I missed that goes bad, it comes out and stainless goes back - wash and forget!

My BMW red paint on a '97 bike still looks like new. But that's because I'm not polishing it to death and when I'm not riding the bike it is protected from the suns UV with a cover. Treat it like a mushroom when not riding and the paint color will stay good.

If you own a bike like a cruiser and spend a lot of time cleaning it, you aren't riding it much! The BMW's are fairly well cloaked in plastic which is great for low maintenance on the cleaning side. For dust and grit you really need water flow rather than pads, polishes and creams. Many argue against pressure jetting. But if you know where the sensitive electrics are and turn the pressure right down they can get into awkward difficult places along the undercarriage. I haven't found a problem using their liquid detergents.

[beemer1]

I have used Honda Spray Cleaner and Polish for many years as a general cleaner/protectant. A couple times a year just use any good clear coat wax/sealer.

[Kneedragger]

This is one of those questions that will get a different answer from anyone you ask. One note... most modern paint clear coats are basically gasoline proof for any exposure short of leaving it submersed. If you do get gasoline on your paint and have nothing but paper towels, be sure to only blot it, and not rub it... paper towels are very abrasive. Also, unless you've had an aftermarket treatment done to your wheels, they're painted, not anodized. It's pretty hard to beat a coat of good quality Carnuba wax every few months, with a spray detailer between wax jobs... Plexus is an excellent cleaner and polish for plastics and paint, although it is a bit more difficult to buff off of paint than some of the other spray detailers. I use Mother's or Eagle 1 metal polish on unpainted parts. Any auto parts store will have everything you need...

[RFW]

Next time this happens, simply hose it down immediately with lots of water. Gas and water don't mix, and the water just floats the gas off the paintwork.

[Northsquad]

I had a similar situation with my RT, and one of those new gas hoses that is suppose to capture the fumes from the gasoline. It didn't really overfill, but built up pressure as the tank was filling then suddenly sprayed all over the place. It came out with a bit of pressure and reached some of the black plastic on the dash surrounding the instruments. I could not clean it up fast enough it actually evaporated before I could get a rag to clean it up. No effect on the paint at all, which had a good coating of McGuire's wax, but the plastic trim stained. It was rendered invisible with a little armor all, but once that dried off the stain reappeared regularly.

[JoeS]

I've been using the Harley Davidson Cleaner/Polisher spray. It gives the bike a great shine and you can use it to clean the windshield, as well as your helmet.

http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/gma_product.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441847299&FOLDER%3 C%3Efolder_id=2534374302289471&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=253437 4302289471&bmUID=1265671257342&bmLocale=en_US

[Northsquad]

Originally Posted by JoeS

I've been using the Harley Davidson Cleaner/Polisher spray. It gives the bike a great shine and you can use it to clean the windshield, as well as your helmet.

http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/gma_product.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441847299&FOLDER%3 C%3Efolder_id=2534374302289471&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=253437 4302289471&bmUID=1265671257342&bmLocale=en_US

Blasphemy, Harley wax ouch, remember your audience

[BAK04GT]

That same thing happened to me...someone after filling thought they would be a smart ass and relocked the nozzle after they were done...had the nozzle in my hand ...hit the selector and out it came all over the bike....I had used Liquid Glass polymer and it protected it...same when the QDs blew ..it saved the silver paint on the side cover..great stuff! the best thing is your better off applying it in direct sunlight and let that stuff bake in... 3 initial coats and one each year after that....for chrome Never Dull is awsome http://www.amazon.com/Eagle-One-1035.../dp/B000CNBI1A

http://www.amazon.com/Liquid-Glass-L...5679044&sr=1-1

[Karlb]

Originally Posted by beemer1

I have used Honda Spray Cleaner and Polish for many years as a general cleaner/protectant. A couple times a year just use any good clear coat wax/sealer.

+1 its the best thing Honda makes!!

[crh]

Thanks, guys! Jesus... in two days, I've spilt a liter or so of gas all over my tank (the gas station owner admitted that they'd been having 'some problems' with that pump- yeah, right.), but which seems to have had *zero* effect on anything at all, except my nerves... then, today, with my wife on the back, I dumped the bike as a truck suddenly backed out, backup lights NOT working, and I missed a shift into first to get around him with a nice ju jitzu/countersteer move... in the parking lot of the freakin' DMV! Ouch. A tiny scratch on the right hand saddlebag and a tiny scratch on the lower right fairing are the ONLY marks- AT ALL. Unbelievable. And, never again. Now all I've gotta do is find some actual BMW touch-up paint, then use y'all's advice after that, until I can afford a custom paint job and power-coating the wheels black... the fall kinda puts the gasoline event in deep shade, but I'm just happy in both cases, there was no damage and ever-so-slight damage, respectively... mostly to my ego- never put down a bike in a parking situation in 38 or so years of street riding.

Anyway, now I have to go to Ted Porter BMW in Scotts Valley, CA tomorrow and ask if I need a new brake lever; it was slightly bent in the fall, (the only mechanical damage), and I have no idea how that ribbon spring under it goes now... anyway, I'm putting 3k miles a month on this bike; never have had a better ride in my life, hands- down, and I'll take the advice about sealants/protectants, as little as possible gratuitous rubbing/cleaning, too... thanks, guys! This is the info I've been looking for!

[Skeeter]

303 Aerospace/Marine protectant is a standby w/ me.
It's a thin milky liquid, similar to Armor All, but with more of a matte finish & just plain better. One major difference is that it's not slippery like AA. It costs a bunch more than Armor All, but it's worth it.