chefisaac

I clean my bike once a week and at least wipe it down after riding in the rain and such. I am sorta anal about that.

Anyway, when cleaning the bike this morning, I noticed two yellow splots on my frame I cannot get rid of.

I just use a towel with Bike Lust on it. Any feedback would be great.

In the picture, it is hard to see.

sauerwald

I find that Simple Green works for most of the gunk that I get on my bike. Also much cheaper than Bike Lust and easily as good.

chefisaac

Thanks for the tip! Do you use any abrassive cloth at all?

ckaspar

Negative. I used to use Simple Green when I did a lot of R/C racing. Stuff is awesome. Interesting note about it too, you can actually drink the stuff and it won't kill you. It is tested and labeled as non-toxic. I would not suggest drinking it but it can be done in small quantities.

https://www.simplegreen.com/solutions...owAll=Show+All

Wolfwerx

I like Simple Green, too. Or sometimes I get the Home Depot version when they have a good sale on it. I use that stuff all over the place, great (non-smelly) cleaner/degreaser.

Also, if a particularly dirty bike needs a bath, I'll use a soft-bristled brush and cheapy liquid dish soap. This works especially well on hubs, around the spoke holes, where grime accumulates.

Don't use abrasive cloth!



At any rate, real bikes have scratches in the paint, chips, a little dirt in the crevices, etc. It adds character.

PatrickGSR94

lol seriously I probably wouldn't even worry about those spots... unless I paid $1K+ for the bike or something.

My $200 bike has missing paint all over it.

treadtread

Why on earth do you know this?

tjspiel

I think it's only right that a person responsible for food preparation be anal about cleanliness. Personally though I almost never clean my bike. That way after a good rain I'm pleasantly surprised about how nice it looks rather than upset about the most recent scratch.

If the Simple Green thing doesn't work out you could try something like Goof Off or Goo Gone. The next step would be a "fine scratch cleaner" or rubbing compound that has a very light abrasive quality.

Are the spots something you can feel or do they seem like they've become part of the finish?

ckaspar

I heard it somewhere. Not sure where.

Please don't use "food prep", "anal" and "cleanliness" in the same sentence ever again.

SkippyX

I'm the same way. My first thought was "chip the paint, you'll never see those yellow spots there again!"

Blinkie

Be careful with Goof Off. It's petroleum based, and may damage some paint finishes. I've used it on some enamels with success, some with damage. Just be sure to test somewhere less conspicuous and easily touched up before going all out.

chefisaac

I get the point of paint chips and other stuff. Those things I cannot help but you gotta understand, my food, kitchen, and everything in it is spotless so I like my frame to be the same. Scratches I do not worry about it but this yellow thing pisses me off.

Hlxdrummer

Looks like a stain... is it smooth? If so, I would try a paint cleaner (automotive), or a polish. Can do it by hand but with a buffer it is much faster/easier. For OTC I suggest Meguiars Ultimate Compound. Not too aggressive (doesnt need to be followed with another product to restore shine) but is fairly aggressive.

Let us know how it goes!

straykat71

"Please don't use "food prep", "anal" and "cleanliness" in the same sentence ever again."

LOL!!!

DJ Shaun

Same here. I rarely clean my bikes.

DJ Shaun

I had similar spots and a mountain bike I had years ago. Since it was a cheap bike it never really bothered me. My bike mechanic never pointed it out as a problem either.

jsdavis

Could I interest you in some chitterlings?

alan s 

Next time buy a black bike and you won't have that problem. Seriously though, try a little bleach based cleaner.