Bike detailing questions

Roadstergal · 06-27-2004, 03:22 AM

Yes, it's a cross-post. Shaddup. :P

I washed the bike today. I'm still working on getting a seat together, so it's still seatless. Although this might not be the first time the bike has been washed, I bet it's the first time it's been polished and waxed. I was happy with how the plastic and some of the metal came out.
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/att...chmentid=33059
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/att...chmentid=33060
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/att...chmentid=33061
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/att...chmentid=33062

However, all is not well. I have some questions about things I have never delt with on a car. First of all, the wheels. They have dirt and dust ground into them that Griot's wheel cleaner isn't getting off - are these unfinished? I'm tempted to go at them with a scouring pad and then metal polish. Secondly, the gauge cluster:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/att...chmentid=33063
The discoloration didn't come off with soap and water or with polish.
Thirdly, the grunge on the metal at the base of the gauge cluster:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/att...chmentid=33064
It didn't come off with soap and water, polish, or compound. Fourthly, the black trim has white crap on it that looks like intensive fading or maybe scuffing - it isn't wax, fer sure. You can see it in the full-bike pictures above - the triangular bits under the seat area. Any ideas on how to get it off? Lastly, the engine bits have grunge here and there, especially at the bases of hoses. Am I best off with soap and water and a toothbrush?

Rob · 06-28-2004, 01:00 PM

I routinely use the blue type scouring pads to get brake dust off my car wheels. It's worth a try, but you do run the risk of leaving marks that you would rather not have. You could also try the stronger spray on/rinse off wheel cleaners. They will probably get more stuff off (and frankly, I am not convinced the "gentle" wheel cleaners work any better than soap and water).

There are also a lot of metal polishes that work very well for stuff like auto restoration, but I think they remove the top layer of the metal. They will work on the metal below the guage cluster. I think there was a thread at the fest that listed brands of good polishes. If you can make it to a hot rod show, you will find a dozen displays that sell similar products.

As for the guage cluster, is it metal or plastic?

Roadstergal · 06-28-2004, 01:54 PM

I actually tried out car soap, then Speed Shine, then Griot's Wheel Cleaner, on my Borbets when I was trying to decide if it was worth it to buy the wheel cleaner, and the wheel cleaner really does work far better than either of the above. But the stuff is just totally ground in. A guy at the E30 picnic told me to try 3M tar and adhesive remover, just don't get it on the paint...

The cluster surround is black plastic.

Rob · 06-28-2004, 03:13 PM

Griot's sells a bumper and rubber restorer or something. It works pretty well and might help the plastic piece. It's sort of the stronger version of the vinyl and rubber cleaner.

Another thing you might try on the wheels is goof off. It helps a lot with brake dust. You run the risk of damaging the wheels finish though - keep the hose handy. (I use it on the inside of car wheels. It works pretty well.)

06-27-2004, 03:22 AM	#1
Roadstergal Butting in. Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 4,553	Bike detailing questions Yes, it's a cross-post. Shaddup. :P I washed the bike today. I'm still working on getting a seat together, so it's still seatless. Although this might not be the first time the bike has been washed, I bet it's the first time it's been polished and waxed. I was happy with how the plastic and some of the metal came out. http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/att...chmentid=33059 http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/att...chmentid=33060 http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/att...chmentid=33061 http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/att...chmentid=33062 However, all is not well. I have some questions about things I have never delt with on a car. First of all, the wheels. They have dirt and dust ground into them that Griot's wheel cleaner isn't getting off - are these unfinished? I'm tempted to go at them with a scouring pad and then metal polish. Secondly, the gauge cluster: http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/att...chmentid=33063 The discoloration didn't come off with soap and water or with polish. Thirdly, the grunge on the metal at the base of the gauge cluster: http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/att...chmentid=33064 It didn't come off with soap and water, polish, or compound. Fourthly, the black trim has white crap on it that looks like intensive fading or maybe scuffing - it isn't wax, fer sure. You can see it in the full-bike pictures above - the triangular bits under the seat area. Any ideas on how to get it off? Lastly, the engine bits have grunge here and there, especially at the bases of hoses. Am I best off with soap and water and a toothbrush? __________________ The question is not whether I've treated you rudely, but whether you've ever heard me treat anyone else better. -H. Higgins

06-28-2004, 01:54 PM	#3
Roadstergal Butting in. Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 4,553	I actually tried out car soap, then Speed Shine, then Griot's Wheel Cleaner, on my Borbets when I was trying to decide if it was worth it to buy the wheel cleaner, and the wheel cleaner really does work far better than either of the above. But the stuff is just totally ground in. A guy at the E30 picnic told me to try 3M tar and adhesive remover, just don't get it on the paint... The cluster surround is black plastic. __________________ The question is not whether I've treated you rudely, but whether you've ever heard me treat anyone else better. -H. Higgins

06-28-2004, 01:00 PM	#2
Rob The user formerly known as rwg Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: Z4 Location: Vegas baby! Posts: 8,261	I routinely use the blue type scouring pads to get brake dust off my car wheels. It's worth a try, but you do run the risk of leaving marks that you would rather not have. You could also try the stronger spray on/rinse off wheel cleaners. They will probably get more stuff off (and frankly, I am not convinced the "gentle" wheel cleaners work any better than soap and water). There are also a lot of metal polishes that work very well for stuff like auto restoration, but I think they remove the top layer of the metal. They will work on the metal below the guage cluster. I think there was a thread at the fest that listed brands of good polishes. If you can make it to a hot rod show, you will find a dozen displays that sell similar products. As for the guage cluster, is it metal or plastic?

06-28-2004, 03:13 PM	#4
Rob The user formerly known as rwg Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: Z4 Location: Vegas baby! Posts: 8,261	Griot's sells a bumper and rubber restorer or something. It works pretty well and might help the plastic piece. It's sort of the stronger version of the vinyl and rubber cleaner. Another thing you might try on the wheels is goof off. It helps a lot with brake dust. You run the risk of damaging the wheels finish though - keep the hose handy. (I use it on the inside of car wheels. It works pretty well.)