Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Bicycle Mechanics
Reload this Page >

Have You Ever Used Air Pressure To Clean Your Bike?

Search
Notices
Bicycle Mechanics Broken bottom bracket? Tacoed wheel? If you're having problems with your bicycle, or just need help fixing a flat, drop in here for the latest on bicycle mechanics & bicycle maintenance.

Have You Ever Used Air Pressure To Clean Your Bike?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 08-10-03, 05:35 AM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
trmcgeehan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Somerset, KY -- near Lake Cumberland
Posts: 757

Bikes: 1980 Univega; 1985 Ross; 1994 Trek 1400 -- all road bikes

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Have You Ever Used Air Pressure To Clean Your Bike?

A couple of days ago, I went to a local motorcycle show. There were about 200 bikes there, and all of them were squeaky clean and pristine. I asked some of the owners how they keep them so clean. Most said they use a soft brush with soap and water, and then use an air pressure hose to get the water off and keep it from spotting. Would this work on a bike?
__________________
"I am a true laborer. I earn that I eat, get that I wear, owe no man hate, envy no man's happiness, glad of other men's good, content with my harm." As You Like It, Act 3, Scene 2. Shakespeare.
"Deep down, I'm pretty superficial." Ava Gardner.
trmcgeehan is offline  
Old 08-10-03, 07:39 AM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: So Cal
Posts: 4,665

Bikes: 2012 Trek Madone 6.2

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
STOP!Do not do that.Water will go where it should'nt be forced to go.Also,its just a bad idea.
shokhead is offline  
Old 08-10-03, 07:44 AM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
lotek's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: n.w. superdrome
Posts: 17,687

Bikes: 1 trek, serotta, rih, de Reus, Pogliaghi and finally a Zieleman! and got a DeRosa

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 15 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 9 Times in 9 Posts
I agree 100% with Shokhead, you will force water
into bearings, turning good grease into sludge.

Use a chamois or shop towel if you want to dry your
bike off after cleaning.
I imagine that the compressed air is to prevent water
spots on a show bike, and we all know our bikes
are not for "show". . .

Marty
__________________
Sono più lento di quel che sembra.
Odio la gente, tutti.


Want to upgrade your membership? Click Here.
lotek is offline  
Old 08-10-03, 09:32 AM
  #4  
Chi
Rides with Cows
 
Chi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Fixing a flat
Posts: 1,232

Bikes: Trek 7000

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I have used compressed air to clean my bike, but it wasn't to get rid of water. I was spraying the dust off the surface of the frame. I was careful not to spray bearings, but it wasn't that effective, coz I had to wipe it down anyway. But it does get rid of some of the thicker dust that collects on the tube surfaces and keeps your bike somewhat cleaner until you can find the time to give it a good wipedown.

I don't recommend the procedure not because of possible bearing damage, but possible hearing damage, since the compressed air blown at such velocity will creat a lot of noise. I use hearing protection when I do this, and it's at work, so it's pretty convenient.
__________________
Chi is offline  
Old 08-10-03, 10:42 AM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: So Cal
Posts: 4,665

Bikes: 2012 Trek Madone 6.2

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
If it has that much dust it needs to be riden more.Throw a old blanket over it.I hope you dont use that chamois on your car.They are bad.Use the absorber.
shokhead is offline  
Old 08-10-03, 10:48 AM
  #6  
hello
 
roadfix's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 18,692
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 193 Post(s)
Liked 115 Times in 51 Posts
Compressed air can force water into seals. Never, ever use compressed air!
roadfix is offline  
Old 08-10-03, 12:16 PM
  #7  
New to bikeforùms.net
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,202
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I always use compressed air.
KleinMp99 is offline  
Old 08-10-03, 10:27 PM
  #8  
Chi
Rides with Cows
 
Chi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Fixing a flat
Posts: 1,232

Bikes: Trek 7000

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally posted by shokhead
If it has that much dust it needs to be riden more.Throw a old blanket over it.I hope you dont use that chamois on your car.They are bad.Use the absorber.
Dust is from the dry fireroads around here ... they have a lot of dry dirt and it accumulates on my bike like dust on the TV. Don't worry, I ride quite a bit.
__________________
Chi is offline  
Old 08-12-03, 10:40 AM
  #9  
Senior Member
 
Ebbtide's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Ohio's Cycling Capital, America's North Coast.
Posts: 4,617
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
I towel really works best for general drying. On a motorcycle there are too many deep places to reach and detail with a towel which is why we will use an air hose, and thats generally reserved for putting the bike on display.
Ebbtide is offline  
Old 08-12-03, 07:46 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
DieselDan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Beaufort, South Carolina, USA and surrounding islands.
Posts: 8,521

Bikes: Cannondale R500, Motobecane Messenger

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
I use compressed air to blow off dirt and road grime off of components, then wash, then towel dry.
DieselDan is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.