OK. I've had her 3 months now and it is time to give her a really good cleaning and polishing (2009 GS500F)

What's the best to use for
1. Cleaning off the gunk, chain oil and junk from the rear wheel rim?
2. Best to clean and polish the gas tank?
3. Best to clean and polish all the plastics - especially the windscreen which can really show scratches
4. Do many of you suggest a stick-on tank protector to prevent scratches from jacket zippers and belt buckles?

Thanks in advance for your tips.

Quote from: adidasguy on August 16, 2010, 05:14:15 PM
OK. I've had her 3 months now and it is time to give her a really good cleaning and polishing (2009 GS500F)

What's the best to use for
1. Cleaning off the gunk, chain oil and junk from the rear wheel rim?
2. Best to clean and polish the gas tank?
3. Best to clean and polish all the plastics - especially the windscreen which can really show scratches
4. Do many of you suggest a stick-on tank protector to prevent scratches from jacket zippers and belt buckles?

Thanks in advance for your tips.

1. Kerosene
2. Meguire's cleaner wax
3. Novus #1
4. Scratching may be a problem there......I think older models have a seat which comes up over the tank.   If you stick on something it will surely screw up the paint over time...like when everybody used to put those vinyl "bras" on cars.....

I try to not have a zipper or belt buckle......

Cookie

1. Hot water mixed with palmolive hand dishwashing soap: good for grease on the chain and brake dust on rims and generally washing the bike

2.NuFinish wax is the best and lasts the longest, but turtle wax liquid was works really well too.  They have built in polish which is important.  Stick with wax.

3. For scratches on plastics NuFinish scratch doctor is supposed to be one of the best and works well from my personal experiance after a couple CAREFUL applications.  For windscreen use windex, the scratches are there even from the manufacturing process, which was partially the case with my zero gravity touring windscreen.  Don't polish in my opinion, but I'm not sure.

4. Stick-on tank protector helps if applied correctly.  Wax will also help.  Their is someone on this forum that has a full leather tank protector that covers the whole tank.

IMPORTANT:  Be careful with actual polish!!! They can be very abrasive depending on what you buy.  If used by inexperienced hands they can cause serious swirl marks, scratches, and degradation of the paint.

  WD-40 to clean off chain lube.  Meguire's wash or Blue Coral to wash whole bike after.
  Meguire's Cleaner Wax for tank and plastics or quick detail if just dusty.
  Spray Away glass cleaner for wind screen.  Wash the bugs etc off during wash.  This is for finishing touch.
  I am a fan of the stick on tank protector but that is just me.  Remove with a heat gun or hair dryer. 

If you don't keep it out in the sun for years and maintain the paint well I don't think you will have much of an issue if you removed it.

Good luck.  If you wash it a lot it will be so easy and won't ever look dirty.  My bikes have been known to get a bath at 11pm after a long bug filled ride.  Maybe too anal but they stay pristine if I get them that way.

Plexus is about the best product I've seen for plastics, especially the clear ones. It does a reasonable job of cutting through bug juice, and drys clear with no film. A very critical point on preserving your plastics is to use the correct cloth. A simple shop rag is very likely to damage the paint, especially with clear plastics. You're better off with a high quality polishing cloth.

For really bad bikes, I start with water, and follow up with plexus once the bike is dry.

For the rims, I usually use WD40 to remove grease and grim from the chain and wheels. The layer of oil it leaves helps to keep the rims clean.

Buy the cheapest degreaser, plastics cleaner and wax you can find, put enough effort in and you wont be able to tell the difference when the job is done, even if you can will it matter? the bike will get covered in shyte again the next time you take it out.

Spend the cash you have saved by ignoring the big brands and their marketing hype on something important.......... like beer and curry 

Quote from: sledge on August 17, 2010, 03:16:18 PM
Buy the cheapest degreaser, plastics cleaner and wax you can find, put enough effort in and you wont be able to tell the difference when the job is done, even if you can will it matter? the bike will get covered in shyte again the next time you take it out.

Spend the cash you have saved by ignoring the big brands and their marketing hype on something important.......... like beer and curry 

god i love this man and his logic.



i'll suggest WD-40 for removing (and shining) the rear / front wheels. spray the rag, not the wheel

wash = whatever the store has that says 'wash n wax' on the bottle that is less than $4.
wax = uhhhhhh no
windshield = rain x - it takes longer, but i rain-x everything that comes between my vision and the road. a bottle lasts me years, and when your shield is pounded with cold, grimy rain and road mess, just look to the side (at speed) and the stuff falls away. sweet.

save the money you would spend on hi-dolla oil too. the gs doesn't care. just thrash her and she'll love you long time.