General Cycling Discussion - Waxing bicycle.

I was reading thru some achieves and found how many persons use wax on their bikes, especially those riding in winter months to help clean the bike after riding. I purchased my bike brand new Sept-2009, however, never thought about waxing it until I read about it here. I see many persons recommend turtle wax, however, does it really matter what type of wax and/or polish I use? For example, I have Meguriar's Gold Class Liquid wax. I thought about washing my bike and giving it a few coats, anything else I should do before doing this, or after? Last week I road in the snow and barely road in the street and my bike w/ caked w/ salt and other crud.

Thanks, jR

It won't matter, but a furniture polish is easier to use on a bicycle then an automotive wax. It might not last as long, but you won't have to spend hour with q-tips getting the wax out of every nook and cranny.

I use Meguiar's Gold Class just fine. Not that hard to wipe off either :)

I use Lemon Pledge. Easy to use, easy to wipe, minimal time. Convenience promotes use.

My bike has no unwanted hair.

I like Pedro's Bike Lust (http://pedros.com/bikelust.htm) for its convenience. It sheds water, salt, dirt, and even tar really well. It's easy enough to use that I don't mind doing it once or twice a month.

Turtle Wax Ice. It doesn't leave a residue, looks great and can be used on chrome, plastic or rubber without worry (no, don't wax your tires :) ).

Opti-Seal. spray and wipe car sealant. no residue.

Zaino, once I buy some for my car again in the spring.

I use Lemon Pledge. Easy to use, easy to wipe, minimal time. Convenience promotes use.

I used this too but I had to switch in the summer time as the lemon smell attracted bees.LOLZ

What material is the frame made off? To be honest- if the paintwork is good it will not matter what the material is. Any wax polish will do but some are easier to use than others. BUT- if the paint is good enough- A spray on furniture polish is the easiest to use. I use pledge on the CF bike. But the paint finish on the Aluminium is a matt finish. This bike just gets washed with plenty of soapy water and then buffed with a cloth.

I use furniture polish in general, but turtle wax on certain parts of the bicycle where there has been some wearing or chipping of the paint.

I was reading thru some achieves and found how many persons use wax on their bikes, especially those riding in winter months to help clean the bike after riding. I purchased my bike brand new Sept-2009, however, never thought about waxing it until I read about it here. I see many persons recommend turtle wax, however, does it really matter what type of wax and/or polish I use? For example, I have Meguriar's Gold Class Liquid wax. I thought about washing my bike and giving it a few coats, anything else I should do before doing this, or after? Last week I road in the snow and barely road in the street and my bike w/ caked w/ salt and other crud.

Thanks, jR

I don't use Meguiars wax because bike frames are exposed to different things than cars. I use Meguiars Quick Detailer. After every ride, I do a quick wipe down of the frame and fork. And even the seat post. The Quick Detailer is faster than the Meguiars Gold Wax. The question about the furniture polish, many riders use this because it makes the wipe down easier. Somehow its claimed that the road grime gets buffered by the furniture polish, like a protective prophylactic. If that's so, then after application, I should be able to press a finger print and make a smudge.

Personally, I don't think it makes the wipe down any easier. The road grime is still there and the little bit of detergent that I use normally does the trick. Most bikes have a clear coat finish, much like cars. So its not like a piece of furniture, unless your furniture has a coating. The Meguiars Quick Detailer is just as fast to apply and wipe off as any furniture polish. No smudge, nice polish, no swirl marks.

Meguiars Quick Detailer or any other detailer is going to cost more money than furniture polish. I don't apply the detailer that often. I don't think its necessary. The most important thing is to develop good habits and wipe down the bike after every ride.

If you have decals without a clear coat over them, be careful what you use.
My bikes are happy if they get wiped off with a rag - they are never allowed to get truly funky.

I family buys wax like we have a luxury fleet of mercedes but they hardly use them and they just sit wasted in a cupboard so I use whatever is left over.

For the last time. Optimum Opti-Seal sealant. If it takes me 15 minutes to apply on an Audi A3, it should take 2 minutes to apply on a bike, and it offers high gloss and superb protection. It's a car sealant after all. A bottle will last the lifetime of a bike or a 2nd bike, maybe even a 3rd.

Watch the vids:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzfMS_S0NiY (demo on a car)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52pdPBYXeTg (demo of its water repellency)

I like Pedro's Bike Lust (http://pedros.com/bikelust.htm) for its convenience. It sheds water, salt, dirt, and even tar really well. It's easy enough to use that I don't mind doing it once or twice a month.
+ 1 on the Pedro's . Wiping your bike after each ride or for that matter every other ride is important. I use Mothers every couple of months for a bit more protection.

I've used car wax (Turtle Wax, Simonize, etc.) on the painted surfaces, alloy components, and chromed parts for years. You can also use Turtle Wax Polishing Compound (a white paste that sells for about $1.99 a container) on older bikes that you want to freshen up.

+1

" I don't use Meguiars wax because bike frames are exposed to different things than cars. "
What is a bike's paint subjected to that a car's paint is not? Just curious why you say this. Since I like to take care of my bike & am a car guy, I do wax my bike. Any coating will do for basic protection. Just keep in mind their is a difference between a wax, polish & a detailer. Apples to oranges really though if you use it regularly. Also keep in mind if you wash your bike with anything harsh (degreaser, dish soap, etc..) you will strip off whatever you have applied to the finish.

Well..., I can think of a few things that a bike finish is different than a car's, as far as exposure. My sweat and maybe some spit and snot that flies off, and some of the Hammer HEED from my water bottle. And occasionally some of my own blood.

This has nothing to do with waxing the finish. But it does have a lot to do with wiping down the bike after riding.