The proper way to remove mud from paint
 

I was cleaning my bike after a mudder and realized that when i used my damp cloath to remove the mud, the fine layer of paint from my frame was getting supercial scratched(the kind that looks like your paint was sanded).
So i tried to figure out what i could do to prevent this kind of scratch from happening, but to no avail.
Do you have any ideas?
Thank you

Stop riding in mud?

riding trails in the spring when they are muddy can do a lot of damage to the trails. just sayin...

I use a hose to rinse the bike off of most of the mud. I also use a big 'ol horsehair brush to scrub lightly. Terry towels to dry and finish. Waxing the frame will also help keep the dirt and mud from sticking.

If you are going straight to a damp cloth to clean the mud off, I figure it's a lot like sanding the frame- abrasive! Get rid of the mud first.

A final note. I don't get too worried about general scratching of the frame and other parts. A mountain bike is meant to be ridden off road. That means branches and bushes, rocks and mud and whatever else is gonna come flyin' at you and your bike. Enjoy it! An MTB is a tool, not a beauty statement.

Riding some trails in the spring when they are muddy doesn't matter, from a "damage" standpoint.

Just sayin...

+1 on the hose and water. First I spray the bike, removing much of the mud with the spary, then I use a soaking wet sponge cloth to wipe away the remainder, then wipe off the water. NEVER spray water under pressure directly into greased areas such as the BB, hubs or head.

BlueTrain.

That doesn't apply to all trails. A well built, sustainable trail in good dirt can be ridden in the wet by low traffic.

"Wet and muddy trails are more vulnerable to damage."
Thats all it says about wet trails, not that you shouldn't ever ride them under any circumstances. You are wrong.

Hose lightly. Then use pressure.

Are you worried about the paint or the frame? What kinda metal is ur frame?

Superficial scratches can be waxed. But... its a mountain bike man.

ok.. first how many well built, sustainable trails in good dirt are there.. i'd venture a guess that it's a small percentage of the total trails that we ride.

oh, and you ensure that these trails only receive low traffic how?

riding during the springtime rainy season trashes the trails. it's best to stay off them until they've set up and have dried out.

http://www.nemba.org/Articles/SoftRiding.html

http://www.americantrails.org/resour...MuddyPost.html

let it dry. It will fall off later.

Well i don't see as many mountain bikers riding in the wet as in the dry seasons. Who here as a small comparison puts in the same offroad miles in the winter as the summer?

There are plenty over here =]


NB: C Law is on the money, does no harm really.

I take my bikes in the shower with me.

^kinky

A more efficient use of the water. Well done.

i much prefer 'dry cleaning'. just let it dry & dust off. use a long bristled (soft) brush to get in places like brakes. but it's preference too, some like it shining new all times. but then i much prefer to gout when it's nice & not worry about riding through a bog. like some places have "all year round surface". meh.

you could spray certain parts inc. tubes with light lube (like wd40) helps shed some of it. the worst stuff is sheep cr*p, aarrgghh no... i leave it for a few months then disassemble re grease & reassemble.

A hose, washing fluid and a sponge.