Water Spots

[ridemslow]

Yesterday I had time and took advantage to give my scoot a much needed bath. In the past I had used the Mr Clean filter to fight waterspots. Since those are no longer available, except a few that you can still find on Ebay, I decided to try something else. It WORKED! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif What I done was used some dishwasher final rinse. The stuff your wife/dishwasher uses in the house. I have this sprayer that you can put your soap in, that goes on the water hose in place of the nozzle. I filled it about 1/2 with rinse agent, and hosed her down after I got finished washing, and let it set in the sun. The water spots I did have were very minor. :) I remember recently several here were talking about the Mr Clean not being available no longer, so this might be a bit of help. The rinse agent is cheap, like $3.00 a bottle and seems it has enough for about 12-15 washes depending on how much you use. ;) Might not be an answer for all, but it worked for me. Like the old Alka-seltzer comercial said"try it, you'll like it." http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[macmac]

I just park the bike outside and haul off the cover, It gets washed alrighty. I cleaned it well Friday, rode it yesterday and it was cleaned again other than the mud, sand and pine needle all over it now. That 0.5 inches of rain was pretty clean IMO.

[Jared]

Why not just use a towel and dry it?

[AlabamaNomadRider]

Thanks for the tip. Water spots can be a problem. Even with towel drying some spots still seem to appear if by magic. Been there done that.

[Bull Durham]

I use my leaf blower right after washing it. Blows all the water off, no spots left behind. Also gets all the water out of places that if you just used a towel and can't get to, would later drip and leave spots.

[yoda]

Water spots haven't been a problem for me if I simply dry the bike after washing.

[macmac]

Maybe I will towel it and dry it when the rain stops.... Seems to me i would only wipe off water and still have the bike as wet as i started. I ai8n'[t seen any sun in 14+ plus days now.

Why maybe I should rent some sunshine.... I am about to load the bike in the trailer and pull out in the van till I find the sun.

[sonny]

I only get water spots if I get a big clod of mud on the bike. Other wise there is no reason to use water, thus, no spots. I have used Pledge furniture polish since 1972. Wash and wax all at once. I use it on every thing but the tires and rims. NO water spots.
Thanks for your time

[macmac]

This thread is as good as any........

Who here can buy Turtle Wax Ice? I want some and can't find it local. I will pay for it and the shipping. More for the favor if I must...

[dogdoc]

good to see ya back Mac.

[macmac]

Why does everyone say that? I didn't go no where...... I was thinkin the same thing about you Doc..

[lomax]

...Vinegar and water solution!!! Works great. Water spots disappear. :)

Mike

[glwilson]

Doesn't that leave a vinegar smell?

[Bull Durham]

only when you stop moving.

[dennis49]

Has anyone ever heard of wax, works great everytime, wipe on wipe off water spots gone.

[GIBBY]

I just keep a good coat of wax on the bike and wash it in the shade and towel dry. Never a water spot.

[oledawg]

This thread is as good as any........

Who here can buy Turtle Wax Ice? I want some and can't find it local. I will pay for it and the shipping. More for the favor if I must...


Save your money Mac! ;) I tried it and it's no better than Pledge. http://s2.images.proboards.com/cool.gif

[dennis49]

I used pledge since the seventies and it is junk protecting paint, it will not stop water spots, wax gives far more protection. Anyone using pledge more than likely has water spots. Get a good wax and eliminate the spots. Pledge works great on vinyl and rubber but paint needs better protection. This is coming from someone that used Pledge and I’ve learned it limitations. I know this is going to rub some wrong but Pledge has proven a failure in my experience when used on painted surfaces. When used on vinyl it’s better than Amoral.

[Top Cat]

I didn't read this whole thread because I use my leaf blower and it works for me.

[macmac]

This thread is as good as any........

Who here can buy Turtle Wax Ice? I want some and can't find it local. I will pay for it and the shipping. More for the favor if I must...


Save your money Mac! ;) I tried it and it's no better than Pledge. http://s2.images.proboards.com/cool.gif

Oh well then I guess not. I use lemon pledge and me and the wasps like that... On the tv these days is the ICE stuff, and last year someone said they liked it alot. I have looked for a year and never found it anywhere.

[Bull Durham]

Mac,

They sell the Turtle Wax ICE around here, I even have some. Works pretty nice, when I use it. I'm not much for waxing, use it more on my windshields. If you want, I could grab you some and send it to you if you'd like. Just PM me your address.

[macmac]

Pm sent I still want to try it anyway. I am not so keen on meguires.

[deacon]

I used an automotive clay bar to clean my paint then waxed with three coats of carnuba wax. Water beads up nice and blows off easy with a leaf blower. Some times I towel it off, then wipe it again with a chamois cloth.

[wiz]

My problem is that whenever the weather is nice enough to really give the bike a good and well needed detailing I tend to ride it instead. When it does get a bath, I use the leaf blower and then a towel. I do need to wax it though, especially the new paintjob.

[dennis49]

I have never washed mine and will never wash it. I use waterless detail spray. I just like the time spent going over all the nooks and crannies, it's good for my blood preasure.

[Top Cat]

The time spent riding is good for my blood pressure. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif
I hate cleaning the bike. http://s2.images.proboards.com/angry.gif:(" title=">:(" border="0"/>

[ray2]

I have never washed mine and will never wash it. I use waterless detail spray. I just like the time spent going over all the nooks and crannies, it's good for my blood preasure.

what is the brand name of the waterless detail spray?

[dennis49]

what is the brand name of the waterless detail spray? [/quote]

I use Mequiars. I too ride mine and never put it away without a detail wipe down and clean the bugs from the paint and windshield. Bug guts will etch the plastic and paint and lose luster so they come off as soon as I get home. And if not at home I carry detail spray with me. Bottom line I always, without fail clean the bike after a ride. Same goes for my boat and PWC I never use them without a cleaning when finished. And I don’t have water spots on my boat or PWC.

I know I’m anal attentive but it gets the water spots off.

[ray2]

Mequires. Thanks dennis 49

[macmac]

Didn't know Mequiars made a waterless cleaner. I used to like Honda Clean, but the EPA killed that stuff, Kawi Clean is ok, but not as good as Honda was.

I hose off my bike to get dirt road crud off, but not a lot. If i didn't sometimes I would scratch the paint to bare steel pretty soon.

[cactusjack]

I used pledge since the seventies and it is junk protecting paint, it will not stop water spots, wax gives far more protection. Anyone using pledge more than likely has water spots. Get a good wax and eliminate the spots. Pledge works great on vinyl and rubber but paint needs better protection. This is coming from someone that used Pledge and I’ve learned it limitations. I know this is going to rub some wrong but Pledge has proven a failure in my experience when used on painted surfaces. When used on vinyl it’s better than Amoral.

Pledge is alright for a quick touch up, but you are right, it's no substitute for a good coat of wax.

[trosco]

Hey Mac, I use the Ice and the Ice Detailer and the Ice car wash soap. Just love it! Down here in FL the water has so much calcium cloride in it and it is so sunny and hot that vehicles water spot everywhere no mater what you do. So I wash to get the grime and guts off. Then I use leaf blower to get rid of water and that means tons of spots. Once every couple months I use the Ice and then the washs in between I use the detailer. Either product I just spray it on everything, paint, chrome, plastic, glass, vinyl, leather, rubber. It just don't matter! Wipe where you spray like you were drying a freshly washed bike, then take a micro fiber cloth (or cut up a old sweat suit) and buff very litely. Looks just plain outstanding. And the best part....Walmart sell it all! Look in the car wash/wax section at the spray bottles, It's there and it's cheap!!!

[glwilson]

I like using Bugslide...

It hasn't failed me as a detailing spray; and cleans the bug-guts off quickly. It doesn't leave smear-marks... just shine.

http://www.bugslide.com/

[coacha]

What is this washing and waxing stuff you speak of? A nice patch of dirt, a few splattered bug guts and add a bit of fur or feather for accent and you are good to go. :)

[glwilson]

Rat-bike! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

There is something to say about bikes that have their road-scars, dirt and grime... ;)

[dennis49]

Never hosed off bike and don't have one scratch or swirl mark from cleaning. If there is heavy grime I put on more detail spray. I also use a California duster to get off dust. My paint looks as good as new and people that don't know about bike years always think it is brand new. If I have tar on chrome or paint I use my Pink wax (real name of wax) to soften it up and carefully remove the tar, Mequiars also has a good bug and tar remover.

Water hose will not get off road grime or tar, you have to rub with some sort of soap with towel or wool cleaning pad or mitt. Might as well just use detail spray and polish, you can clean much faster than getting out a water hose, dragging out a leaf blower, chamois or towel to dry and then you still don’t have a fresh wax look you get with detail spray.

[mikeyger]

mac We have it here.I will be glad to send you some if you really want it! I owe you that!Mike

[macmac]

Bull is getting me some of paste and a spray. He offered first.. My walmarts don't have it. Not in Plymouth, N Conway, or Farmington/ Rochester anyway. Sanell's nor NAPA, nor VIP either.

Wasn't thilled with Meguiers however you spell it either. At times my bike gets pretty nasty with sand like diamonds, stuff the glaicers left behind, and can mixed with a light blue clay. You sure don't want to rub any soft rags with that on paint.

What works here is get the bike clean, with a water flush, blow it dry with air. I use a 60 gallon compressor hooked to my 80 gallon comp that has no juice. Then wax once 40 times so no spots are missed and there after use waterless cleaners as best you can, sometimes with a water flush first to reduced sands.

So long as this is done in shade, a cloudy day, or in the barn no spots happen. I tend to do a major cleaning once in Spring and Again in Fall. That Fall cleaning ends up nasty with the bike in a enclosed trailer over winter though. The bike makes water any days the temps varry a lot.

We also have a yellow pollen problem from the pine trees , and right now my blue volvo looks almost green.....

Nobody here owes me a thing.

[Top Cat]

I beg to differ. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[macmac]

No comment TC..... You are aware money is one thing, and that gold is another right?

[mc88]

Not to make you all jealous, but we just built a brand new ambulance garage and in our wash bay, we have a spot free rinse now that works wonders http://s2.images.proboards.com/cheesy.gif

Haven't used it on my bike yet, but when I was home on leave early March (before I bought my Nomad) I used it on our trailblazer and was very happy with the results :)

[duneseven]

I use a spray cleaner wax I used to buy it as a honda product but The last time I looked the stealer had the non branded can says it is the same for a couple bucks less comes in a pressurized can. This stuff cleans off the bugs and waxes after a buff it gives your bikea great shine and allows u to travel lite.

[ridemslow]

I like the Mr clean thing, and I used my leaf-blower before to dry it, but I just wanted to see if this Idea of mine worked. It Did. And I see lot's of other ideas from you guys too, so I figure this is a pretty good subject to chew over a while.

[Jared]

Didn't know Mequiars made a waterless cleaner. I used to like Honda Clean, but the EPA killed that stuff, Kawi Clean is ok, but not as good as Honda was.

I hose off my bike to get dirt road crud off, but not a lot. If i didn't sometimes I would scratch the paint to bare steel pretty soon.

Honda cleaner is back! Check your dealership. If they don't have any let me know and I could send you a case or two. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[rickyboy]

I'm so confused now. I thought the best thing was a mild soap, and water. Wash with a sponge/soft cloth and dry with a chamois. Old school maybe! There are so many spray-on products it's real hard to know. A lot of money can be spent trying them all out or finding the one that works best. ??? ::) :-/

[trosco]

Just saw one advertised in the back of my "choppers" mag. Not only does it remove dirt, grease and grime and leave your bike with a high gloss shine.... it also emits phermones making you irresistable to women!!! I just ordered a case!!!

[macmac]

I wonder if the new Honda clean is as good as the one the EPA fools took off the market.

[anchornomad]

Mac, tried your Turtle Wax Ice polish today, worked well and not hard to apply or buff with the applicator and microfibre cloth supplied. Very nice shine and very little work. Will try the detailer as one member suggested. Have a great day and ride safe. Den

[ndbigfish]

Central Texas will water spot with towels, leaf blowers and waxes and I use all three. Our water is so hard you have to bite off a chunk to get a mouth full. Eagle One Nanowax works pretty good to remove the water spots; furniture polishes...not so much.

[socwkbiker]

After a good wash, I also use Top Cat's air dry method and maybe a small towel for mirrors, but I don't worry too much about water spots. At 70 mph, no one sees water spots. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

Where's BD? That boy has multiple layers of wax on his bike.

[macmac]

Mac, tried your Turtle Wax Ice polish today, worked well and not hard to apply or buff with the applicator and microfibre cloth supplied. Very nice shine and very little work. Will try the detailer as one member suggested. Have a great day and ride safe. Den

It isn't mine..yet....... http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif Around heya' in the boonies this stuff is offically unobtainium. Lots of things most people can go buy are.

I have Luster Lace as a kit, but that's for chrome and that stuff is the best of the best IMO, but it is NOT for paint, unless you want steel showing where paint should be.

It is only for chrome and or aluminum alloy, and not for plastic cheap chrome either. I found that out the hard way on yammi turn signal stocks, which became a gold tone since the cheap chrome on plastics isn't crome in the first place, but a very thin layer of aluminum and with a copper base.

The pad buff is like Never Dull, but much better on real chrome. This is not the one for air craft either.

Then a mixed up lace set is for round items like spokes, engine guards, handle bars and that like. There is no abrasives, there is a paint eating chemical, and it says so on the lable.

[rickyboy]

I've seen "Never Dull" but I've never tried it. How good is IT??

[duneseven]

"NEVER DULL" guaranteed to make you the life of the party

[rickyboy]

"NEVER DULL" guaranteed to make you the life of the party

Yuk Yuk!!! http://s2.images.proboards.com/cool.gif

[Dave]

I've used Never Dull for many years. Easy on, easy off.

[macmac]

I use Never Dull on Silver I make, but it isn't as good as Luster lace is. Not even close. Now if you like Never Dull, then you will really like Luster lace.

For new guys around, this is the silver I used to make. What you see there is just the tip of a iceburg. I used to have 15 paper pages covered with pics on both sides.
http://s290.photobucket.com/albums/ll275/Mac_Muz/silverwork/

I know very well about Never Dull. When I happened onto Luster Lace i was all set to make a fool out of a bike week vendor. Instead he made a fool out me.

[Bull Durham]

Mac,

You make this stuff? Pretty nice, you've got talent for being a Wood Chuck. Or is that Vermonters?

[macmac]

Must be Vermont. I never heard the term. before silver went thru the roof I used to spend a lot of spare time making a historically accurate Trade Silver yes. It is a wearable money, or it was once. Making the items is one thing, making the tooling is another. I make my own chisels and gravers to make the pieces.

Some pieces are made from sterling sheet, others from silver coins the same size as the coins were back then. I show the coin I use next to another coin that was used. It just happens I have a coin from 1812 the same as another set of pics scanned from a book on the photobucket.

I do historical re-enacting in the French and Indian War, and American Fur Trade. I have dabbled around in other times going back 10,000 years, with just thing you could have at any of the times I am interested in doing.

So I have to make almost everything I have in any time, since you can't buy it at wally world. In that doing I have learned skills I wouldn't have, like sewwing, flint knapping, and fire by bow drill.

LOL when I first got on in here most everyone took me for fruit cake city El wacho.. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

Somethings changed a little after that.

Go see........
http://s290.photobucket.com/albums/ll275/Mac_Muz/

[Bull Durham]

It appears to me, that you are a very unique individual. And photographer, as well. Pretty impressive.

[duneseven]

Cool pix mac thanks

[macmac]

Well I can wear more paint in a day than any 2 American women can in a year combined. The rest is debatable I guess. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[ray2]

Good pic's Mac. Haveing an intrest in the fur trade era and haveing been to a few small Rendezvous here in Minnesota your pic's show real skill,knowledge and dedication. I, for one appreciate what can be seen in your pic,s.

[ridemslow]

Well said! :)


It appears to me, that you are a very unique individual. And photographer, as well. Pretty impressive.

[macmac]

:-/ http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

Like Popeye I am what I am... being this way can be harsh in meet ups. I have nothing to compare and be measured by, as most modern man can.

Ask TC...... Last time due to that, I had to create Wilson... LOL

I could do most anything better than Wilson. In fact the last time I saw Wilson he ran off on the Mini Ha Ha, up Lk George, with a cocktail napkin. Wilson was agog with her......


(Wilson was a paper plate with a ketchup face)

[macmac]

:-/ http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

Like Popeye I am what I am... being this way can be harsh in meet ups. I have nothing to compare and be measured by, as most modern man can.

Ask TC...... Last time due to that, I had to create Wilson... LOL

I could do most anything better than Wilson. In fact the last time I saw Wilson he ran off on the Mini Ha Ha, up Lk George, with a cocktail napkin. Wilson was agog with her......


(Wilson was a paper plate with a ketchup face)