With the advancement in technology and science, cleaning your bike has become easier. Nowadays, there are degreaser-based cleaners that make clean-up a breeze. There are also degreaser-free cleaner fluids for bikes that remove grease and grime safely.
If you’re planning to apply bike spray on your bike, you should ensure that it is clean before doing so. The cleaner the space, the cleaner the bike will be too. But how do you ensure that your bike space is clean before applying bike spray? Well, we’ve got you covered with steps and tips.
What You Need For Cleaning Your Bike
To clean your bike, you’ll need water, a microfiber cloth, an all-purpose spray cleaner, bike-specific cleaner, or anything similar. When cleaning your bike, you should always follow the aforementioned steps to achieve maximum effectiveness.
1.Bike Cleaning Brushes
Bike cleaning brushes are essential tools for keeping your bike in good condition. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can be used to clean hard-to-reach areas on your bike. Whether you’re cleaning your road bike or mountain bike, it’s important to use the right tool for the job. Some brushes are designed for specific types of bikes, so you can easily clean your bike without wasting time or effort.
2.Bike Cleaning Fluid
For cleaning your bike, you will need specialized bike cleaners such as Juice Lubes Dirt Juice, Muc Off, and Hope Sh1t Shifter. Additional supplies such as a hose and nozzle, bike-specific degreaser, general bike grease, and rubbing alcohol are necessary for a thorough clean. Additionally, excess lubricant should be wiped away to avoid attracting dirt to the drivetrain. A microfibre cleaning cloth or towel is the best tool for drying the bike post-clean.
3.Bike Degreaser
Bike degreaser is a specialized product designed to clean the chain of a bike. When cleaning a bike, you need supplies like a hose and nozzle, bike-specific cleaner, bike-specific degreaser, general bike grease, and rubbing alcohol. The best way to clean your bike is by using a degreaser that is specially formulated to clean chain without damaging it.
Some degreasers are made specifically for chain while others are safe to use on other parts of the bike. However, it’s important to rinse off the degreaser to ensure proper lubrication of the chain. Aerosol degreasers are easier to use in hard-to-reach places but should not be used on bearings.
4.Chain Lubricant
Chain lube is an effective way to clean your bike and keep it running smoothly. To clean your bike, you can use various cleaning methods such as degreasing, scrubbing, and wiping. You should always clean your bike after every ride or ride session.
You can also lubricate your chain for better performance by using a lube or oil. Some good chain lube options are water-based or silicone-based lubricants. It’s important to follow the instructions on the label when applying lube to ensure that you don’t damage your chain. If you want to clean your bike thoroughly, remove any excess lube with a rag after lubricating the chain for better results.
5.Towel
A microfiber cleaning towel is an effective tool for drying your bike after cleaning to prevent streaky watermarks. Towels are cheaper than bike-specific towels, and provide the same results. Towels should be used to remove water that could corrode bike parts. This prevents damage to the bike frame and other components.
They should also be used to wipe away excess lube after cleaning to prevent dirt build up. Finally, towels should be used to give a “showroom” appearance when using bike polish. By using a microfiber clean towel to clean your bike after cleaning it ensures that it looks its best and helps preserve its luster.
6.Bucket
To clean your bike, you’ll need a bucket filled with water and dish soap or bike-specific cleaner. Once you have the dirty water in the bucket, use a hose on the ‘shower’ setting to rinse your bike thoroughly. If you are cleaning the bike’s chain and cassette, use a degreaser on the entire drivetrain and allow the solution to soak in.
After cleaning the bike’s chain, cassette, and other parts, apply bike-specific cleaner or dish soap to clean the bike. Next, use a bucket to apply a bike-specific degreaser on the entire drivetrain. Remember to clean your bike regularly to keep it in good working order.
Ways To Clean Your Bike Before Applying Bike Spray For Maximum Effectiveness
Before applying any bike spray, it’s vital to ensure your bike is clean and dry. Using a gentle all-purpose spray cleaner and a microfiber cloth, wipe down the entire bike, except for the touchscreen. Use lukewarm water and a soft sponge or microfiber cloth to scrub off dirt and residue.
Spray Moto Wash on all bike surfaces and leave it on for 2 minutes before rinsing off. In addition to thorough washing, lubricate the drive chain after washing and drying the motorcycle so that it doesn’t become too stiff. This will help prevent rust and keep the bike in optimum condition.
- Wash your bike: First, wash your bike with mild soap and water to remove dirt and grime. Dry the bike off with a clean cloth or paper towel.
- Remove cobwebs: After washing your bike, take a few minutes to scrub it down with a wire brush or soft-bristled brush. This helps remove any stubborn cobwebs that have built up over time.
- Clean the frame: Next, use a damp microfiber cloth or sponge to wipe down the frame where it meets the handlebars, seatpost, and other nooks and crannies of the bike. This helps to prevent scuffing and scratches when you go out riding later on.
- Apply protective spray: Finally, apply a protective spray like BikeMaster to your frame to shield it from damage caused by road debris and weather conditions.
Things To Keep In Mind While Cleaning Your Bike With Bike Spray
When you decide to clean your bike with a spray, there are a few things to keep in mind. First and foremost, you must choose a spray that is safe for use on a moving vehicle. Most sprays are specifically formulated to be safe for use on a bike, but it is always important to check the label to make sure. Second, consider the size of the area you want to clean.
If you have a small area that needs cleaning but don’t have many tools at your disposal, consider using a smaller spray that can fit into tight spots. Finally, think about how frequently you plan to clean your bike. If you will be cleaning it daily or more often than that, choose a spray with higher concentrations of cleaner so that you don’t need to re-purchase it as often.
- Clean all parts of the bike except for the touchscreen before spraying bike cleaner.
- Wipe down the bike with a gentle, all-purpose spray cleaner and a microfiber cloth.
- Scrub off dirt and residue with lukewarm water and a soft sponge or microfiber cloth.
- Spray Moto Wash on all surfaces of the bike, wait 2 minutes, then rinse off.
- Lubricate drive chain after washing to help prevent rusting
- Rinse your bike thoroughly with warm water to remove any loose dirt.
- Use a solution of mild detergent and water to clean the plastic parts.
- Avoid spraying water at muffler outlets or electrical parts.
- Use bike specific degreaser on the entire drivetrain and let it soak for at least 5 minutes.
- Pump the brakes several times after washing to restore normal braking performance.
Conclusion
Cleaning your bike is an important step to maintaining its condition. However, it is not always easy to remember to clean it regularly. Bike spray ensures that you can clean your bike easily and efficiently while protecting the surface from water and grime.
It also helps to lubricate moving parts so that they move smoothly and protects the surface from oxidation and rust. By using these cleaning tips, you can clean your bike easily and prevent future issues with it. To maximize their effectiveness, however, follow the cleaning steps mentioned above.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1.How Do You Clean A Bike Chain Before Lube?
Ans: To clean a bike chain before lube it, you’ll need to use either a chain cleaner or degreaser. Cleaner options include chain cleaning spray or degreaser, both of which work well on dirt and grease. If you don’t have either of these, soap or detergent can do the trick.
After cleaning, dry everything off. Next, hold a rag over the chain while you pedal backwards. This will help to move any excess lube off of the chain and onto the rag. Finally, wipe down everything with a clean cloth or let it air-dry in the sun.
2.What Order Should I Clean My Bike?
Ans: There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the order in which you should clean your bike may vary depending on the type of bike and the condition of it. However, here are some general cleaning tips to get you started:
- Clean the bike chain with a degreaser or a liquid detergent, such as dish soap or detergent.
- Dry the bike and start the engine to let it run for several minutes.
- Test the brakes before riding and pump them several times to restore normal braking performance.
- Lubricate the drive chain right after washing and drying.
- Finally, apply the bike spray for maximum effectiveness.
3.Is It OK To Spray Your Bike With Water?
Ans: No, it is not OK to spray your bike with water. This will damage the paint and may lead to corrosion. Instead, clean the bike with a bike-specific cleaner or dish soap before painting. Be sure to avoid high-pressure settings when cleaning as they can cause dirt and debris to enter sensitive areas of the bike.
4.How Do Professionals Clean Bikes?
Ans: Professional bike cleaners typically rinse the bike frame first with water or a hose to remove surface dirt and debris. They then use an all-purpose spray cleaner and a microfiber cloth to wipe down the bike.
5.Why Should I Clean My Bike?
Ans: Cleaning your bike before applying bike spray is essential for maximum effectiveness. Dirt and grime can prevent the spray from properly adhering to the bike, and lubricating the drive chain before spraying will help ensure that the spray is evenly distributed.
