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Spraying off your expensive road bike?

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Old 07-05-07, 07:47 PM
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Spraying off your expensive road bike?

Is it OK to run a hose over your bike to clean off dirt etc. that has built up? By spray I mean run water over your bike, not high pressure hosing down. Thanks!
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Old 07-05-07, 08:04 PM
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Yes... soap & water first to clean, plain water to rinse...

https://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=85
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Old 07-05-07, 08:08 PM
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Absolutely OK. I hear you can even ride them in the rain!
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Old 07-05-07, 08:09 PM
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really?
wont it melt?
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Old 07-05-07, 08:11 PM
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Just be careful spraying around areas with bearings. Be gentle, and all is good.

... Brad
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Old 07-05-07, 08:11 PM
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Crap no, don't do it!

Wipe it down with Windex. Windex works for everything. Then polish it with Pedro's Bike Lust.

If you have chunks of dirt on it (and why would you? It's a road bike) then brush it off with a brush with soft plastic bristles.
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Old 07-05-07, 09:40 PM
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I use the hose its fast and easy. I also got what looks like a giant toothbrush from walmart for $1.88 it works better than a real toothbrush cuz the bristles are longer. just make sure you get it dry and lube it up good afterward.
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Old 07-05-07, 09:48 PM
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Don't do it! It'll rust.
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Old 07-05-07, 10:08 PM
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put it on the roof rack and use the drive thru carwash.
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Old 07-05-07, 11:20 PM
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If you have an air compressor in the garage, using a blow off nozzle to clear of the dust and then wiping down with windex works great.
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Old 07-05-07, 11:23 PM
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Unless it's carbon... in which case it will explode. ;-)
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Old 07-05-07, 11:26 PM
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Originally Posted by kirkcubs
Unless it's carbon... in which case it will explode. ;-)
aww shucks, now I have to cancel my bid for that gorgeous frame on Ebay....
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Old 07-06-07, 01:59 AM
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Originally Posted by whalen83
I use the hose its fast and easy. I also got what looks like a giant toothbrush from walmart for $1.88 it works better than a real toothbrush cuz the bristles are longer. just make sure you get it dry and lube it up good afterward.

Old paint brush is good for getting into nooks and crannies. Car wash soap is reputed to be more mild than dish washing liquid. I usually use diluted Simple Green (yes I know it's not recommended for use on aluminum). Rinse well with hose - gets sweat salt out of things like cable stops which would not come out by wiping alone.
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Old 07-06-07, 02:03 AM
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Originally Posted by pinetreeforest1
Is it OK to run a hose over your bike to clean off dirt etc. that has built up? By spray I mean run water over your bike, not high pressure hosing down. Thanks!
no problem whatsoever.
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Old 07-06-07, 02:04 AM
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Originally Posted by Nessism
Old paint brush is good for getting into nooks and crannies. Car wash soap is reputed to be more mild than dish washing liquid. I usually use diluted Simple Green (yes I know it's not recommended for use on aluminum). Rinse well with hose - gets sweat salt out of things like cable stops which would not come out by wiping alone.
a new paint brush does the trick as well.
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Old 07-06-07, 04:12 AM
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S100. Spray it on, hose it off. Don't use a pressure nozzle though, just a light rinse.
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Old 07-06-07, 04:19 AM
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And don't forget to blow your nuts.
Ahh, I mean, dry out your 4/5mm screws - seatposts, brakes, etc. They will hold water and rust if left. Give it a quick blow to dry it out or use a q-tip.

Last edited by SaddleBags; 07-06-07 at 05:34 AM.
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Old 07-06-07, 05:34 AM
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I use S100 as well. Use it on the M/C too.
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Old 07-06-07, 06:03 AM
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I would be a bit more gentle on the painted frame that using those brushes park tool uses. Let the product do the work.
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Old 07-06-07, 06:32 AM
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Originally Posted by botto
a new paint brush does the trick as well.
You're awfully wordy today.
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Old 07-06-07, 06:40 AM
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Originally Posted by Dead Extra #2
You're awfully wordy today.
Every so once in a while Botto wakes up on the right side of the bed...or someone must have slipped some drugs in his drink...
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Old 07-06-07, 09:09 AM
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I wipe the bike down with End Dust. For tires and the stuck on stuff I use a water damp rag.
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Old 07-06-07, 09:10 AM
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Originally Posted by orcanova
Every so once in a while Botto wakes up on the right side of the bed...or someone must have slipped some drugs in his drink...
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Old 07-06-07, 11:56 AM
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Originally Posted by dogpound
really?
wont it melt?
only if it's Carbon.
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Old 07-06-07, 11:47 PM
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Originally Posted by botto
No...Botto does not drink the Kool Aid...tsk tsk...
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