TheManShow

To make removal of chain lube, road goop, and other nasties from your bike frame easy?

What do you use?

rmfnla

I've heard of people doing this; I'm not one of them...

FastJake

I use car wax, Meguiars I think. It works great.

rmfnla

https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-me...-anal-you.html

Just in case...

Crankycrank

Waxing a bike frame is a big PITA. Although wax can help protect your paint a little from environmental wear and tear you're more likely to have your paint job ruined by too many chips and dings long before the paint starts to lose it's luster. IMO you're better off skipping the wax and just use some of your favorite degreaser on a rag to wipe off the gunk.

FastJake

Forgot to mention... the only time I wax a frame is when it's bare, ready to be built up. Clean it, wax it, build it. A complete bike has way too much crap in the way to attempt a decent wax job.

dr1445

johnsons floor wax.

Dave Cutter

I use car wax to keep the finish sealed and shiny! Of course... the hot soapy water I use to clean the road filth off also removes the wax in short order as well. So... it's: ride, maintain, clean, repeat.

But I enjoy cleaning and maintaining my bicycles... so cleaning the bike is all good. And realistically.... every loose spoke, every metal shard embedded in a brake pad (or tire).... every little bit of potential trouble I've ever found on a bicycle... I've found while washing, waxing, and inspecting it. Why would anyone past on that kind of preventative maintenance? Particularly when riding my road bike often takes me miles and miles from home. Sometimes... in rural areas and almost always alone.

DrIsotope

I do. Sonus Paintwork Prep followed by Klasse sealant and then whatever carnauba I have on hand at the time (which right now is P21S.) Routine cleaning/maintenance is with Lucas Slick Mist. Westley's for the tires. I have no issues with chain grease, road grime, Stan's, or anything else sticking to the frame. Everything just wipes off.

The only things I remove from the bike for a complete wax is the wheels and the bottle cages-- there's not much to a bike frame, it's a 20 minute job even going through all 5 wax steps. I've spent 4-5 hours doing a full wax on my car (including stripping the existing wax down and using a claybar) so the few minutes spent on the bike is nothing. The car and the bike go the same places via the same roads, no reason not to treat them alike.

Davet

Lemon Pledge!

Deontologist

I wasted 10 dollars on wax and microfiber cloths ... the wax just wouldn't really keep the bike clean for any significant period of time. Dirt still stuck to the bike. Plus it left the black parts hazy. A old rag and some water cleans up the bike just fine for me.

Now I have an almost full bottle of wax I'll never use sitting around.

TCR Rider

Pedro's Bike Lust

altondavis2

I use Zymbol Cleaner Wax. Its a gooey liquid that dries fast and comes off easy.\
Does a nice job of leaving the cables shiny and black.
Probably any good cleaner wax would do a nice job.

02Giant 

Mothers Quick Detailer

FastJake

If you use car specific soap instead of dish soap (or whatever you're using) it won't strip your wax off.

pdlamb

+1

mconlonx

Any of these silicone based cleaner/polishers is about as much as I go with. Probably don't last as long as a true wax application, but ease of use means more frequent use. I don't see that either this kind of product or wax makes cosmetic maintenance any easier.

obed7

wax after painting before building... lemon pledge after cleaning.

noglider 

Furniture polish in a spray can. It's not as durable as heavier waxes, but it's much quicker. I put it on everything, not just the frame. I suspect it doesn't dissolve lubricant, at least not much, so I'm not terribly careful to keep it out of places where oil and grease have been applied.

Dave Cutter

And..... if I don't carefully wash, wax, and inspect the bicycle... what do I gain? I know corners could be cut. I am not saying that... my way is the best way. I am just saying there are good (if not solely practical) reasons for what many consider extraneous care.

There is a euphoria that comes from riding a bicycle hard and fast. I like that. There is a relaxation that comes with deliberate maintenance and care of the bicycle. I like that too. It's all good.... and there is no reason to trade one for another.

JerrySTL

This. Helps remove things like dried worm guts on the down tube the next time you clean the bike. Also gives off that pleasant lemony smell!

Konaflyer

Pledge!

Up North

Klassen German Aerospace Wax. Designed to make planes go faster!

TheManShow

Previously use it, I too would use it again.

wphamilton

Before or after buffing the cassette and flossing the chain links?