farandaway

Ever used this? What do you think? Does it make a difference in the bike's appearance? Does it protect the finish? Is car wax just the same? Thanks.

stapfam

Depends how fussy you are. MTB's and don't bother- they look better in mud. Nice shiny new road bike with a modern paint finish and Wax may protect but those modern paints gleam. Rub with a soft cloth and they will come up like new. That is providing you can get round all the bits bolted onto the frame to be able to polish it.

Metaluna

I just bought a new Gunnar frame, and in the owner's manual they recommend a yearly coating of wax w/UV protectants. I bought a can of Meguiar's NXT Tech Wax, which is one of the brands they mention by name, and it did add a deeper shine to the already nice Waterford clearcoated paint job.

Pamestique 

Lemon Pledge. It's what I've always used. Works great!

BluesDawg

Wax can help protect the paint from the sun or from toxic sweat. I like to wipe my bikes down with Pedro's Bike Lust once in a while. Even the mountain bikes get this treatment as it helps to make it easier to get the next coating of dirt or mud off the bike. I have used car wax before as well as Lemon Pledge. It all works.

maddmaxx 

+1
Just like your car.....a coat of wax makes it easier to get the dirt off. Usually just brush it off with a paint brush.

Lemon pledge is more like a detailing wax...good for a quick shine but not formulated for weather and sun resistance. It looks good though for a shiny top off.

robtown

I've started using Turtlewax ICE, a clear liquid polymer. It goes on very fast. I think it helps protect the finish and make it easier to wash off the dirt. It also adds a nice luster.

Terrierman

Dayumn son, toxic sweat? I guess that drought down there is worse than I thought!

George

I use bike lust as well.

cranky old dude

When I get bike lust, my bride just wax me across the back of the head.

Wino Ryder

Just use a good automotive car wax applied every few months. When it gets dirty wash the bike with mild dish detergent in warm water in a bucket, rinsing the suds off with warm water from a flower sprinkler. Bounce the bike a few times to shake off excess water.

The bike will be easier to wash when its waxed. On my bike, which has a lot of polished aluminum parts protected with 'Mothers' or 'Blue Magic metal polish, I wash it about every two weeks in warm water. It always comes out looking great.

kenhill3

I like cleaning/waxing for the reasons others have mentioned. I also believe that in doing this thoroughly, you will have had the opportunity to be in contact/examine most every part of the bike. You will inevitably discover something that needs attention, mechanical or otherwise.

Also, a nice-looking/clean bike:

-you are proud of/enjoy riding.

-works better/is faster

RockyMtnMerlin

Danger Metaluna! Danger! What ever you do, don't get Meguiar's NXT on any black rubber or plastic parts on the bike. It leaves a white residue that it VERY hard to permanently remove. I have learned this the hard way on my Volvo S60R trim. I have tried every trick recommended (even including peanut butter) and while the white goes away for a while, it reappears after a few days. I am switching to Klasse.

Metaluna

Thanks for the heads up. I'll be careful. I don't think I touched any plastic parts aside from maybe the under-BB cable guide (who cares). I would have probably bought Klasse if I could find it, but none of the stores I visited seemed to carry it.

Another thing that's probably worth mentioning is that a lot of waxes have abrasives in them so unless you're trying to restore a scratched or oxidized finish, you should avoid these.

maddmaxx 

Has anyone tried and of the new generation of "Super" automotive polishes? I mean the clear sort that wipe on and wipe off without residue.


Edit: sorry, there is a post above from Robtown about "Ice"

wobblyoldgeezer

White bikes, like cats, take pride in cleaning and grooming themselves to a state of glossy magnificence. Green bikes - no point in polishing pond slime. Black bikes - honestly, who cares, its just going to be a black bike whatever you do.

knotty

I regularly wax my bike and keep it clean. No particular wax, just any old good car wax. I like well adjusted, fine running and clean machines. It gives me confidence when I'm 75 miles from home in the boonies.

Besides, that salty, cold corrosive air in the San Francisco bay area is not good for metal, so I wipe the bike with a damp rag after each ride.

knotty

RalphP

Surely on the coast, where I live, but probably anywhere, I think dirt is basically a salty stuff. This belief motivates me to clean and wax my bike frequently. I am a Meguire's carnauba loyalist. Also, I am expecting that it will someday be scientifically proven that bicycles and motor vehicles run smoother after they have been cleaned. We don't already know everything about the nature of existence.

big john

I have a Gunnar and I use Pledge and it looks great.

stapfam

An old habit from the MTB rides and cleaning the bike. Wash it down thoroughly and take the wheels off. Cover the saddle and bar grips and take care round the Brake pads or blocks at the next stage. Spray the bike with water dispersant oil (WD 40 or similar) Leave to drip dry and a couple of days later- wipe the excess off the frame and put the wheels back on. This puts a thin layer of oil on all the steel parts and stops corrosion on the whole bike(Lots of Alloys used that don't rust but do corrode) You also find any broken parts or bits that need adjustment and No need to polish with wax or anything else.

However- Once a year- all the bikes are stripped to the bare frame and that is when it gets a polish with a good car polish. Don't know if it is wax as its what is in the garage when I go looking for it.