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

Cleaning bike with pressure washer

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.

Cleaning bike with pressure washer

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 07-26-02, 11:01 AM
  #1  
Just Ride.
Thread Starter
 
john_dun's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 54

Bikes: Cannondale F600 Custom build

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Cleaning bike with pressure washer

Today I washed my bike with a pressure washer, is is safe doing this aslong as I re-oil the chain?

Thanks.
john_dun is offline  
Old 07-26-02, 11:17 AM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,372
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
did you hose the HS and hub bearings out good too?
pokey is offline  
Old 07-26-02, 11:37 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'll avoid the flippant remarks and
try to formulate an informative answer.
No, this isn't a good thing. The high
pressure forces water into the headset
and bottombracket where it promptly
does one of 2 things. Either it turns
the grease into some alien glop, or
it pushes dirt grime etc. into the bearings
wreaking havoc on the entire assembly
(sometimes it does both).
If you must hose down the bike, use a
regular garden hose, but not on a high
pressure setting, and never direct spray
towards headset and bottom bracket.

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


Want to upgrade your membership? Click Here.
lotek is offline  
Old 07-26-02, 12:34 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
mike's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Snowy midwest
Posts: 5,391
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Washing your bike with a pressure washer is a very BAD idea.

I recommend that you clean out all your bearings; hubs, bottom bracket, head set.

You almost certainly blasted water into the bearings. It would be difficult not to blast water into the bearings if you washed you bike with a pressure washer.
mike is offline  
Old 07-27-02, 09:35 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
ahuman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: NEW JERSEY
Posts: 230

Bikes: Specialized,Klein,Paramount,Univega

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I think cleaning your with High pressure is a good way to remove the paint and push dirt into your headset it may remove anything that is not bolted ...
ahuman is offline  
Old 07-30-02, 01:59 AM
  #6  
Jubalayo Unogwaja!
 
Bokkie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Bollocks!
Posts: 1,090
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I pressure hosed an old bike of mine some time back. I started getting some unusual clunking noises from the stem bearings not too long after. I stripped it and the grease had turned into an 'alien glop' as a previous poster replied might happen. A few of the old ball bearings were I think, damaged because of this. They might have been on the way out anyway, but getting water in there did not help either. Maybe the newer designs minimise the problem, but it's not a good thing to do. I'd say wash the stem and bb with a soapy cloth and wipe clean after. Hubs are a pain to clean, but I'd be equally careful.
Bokkie is offline  
Old 07-30-02, 02:09 AM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Posts: 95
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Your bike will not appreciate this. Better re-pack your bearings.
pucci is offline  
Old 07-30-02, 02:18 AM
  #8  
I drink your MILKSHAKE
 
Raiyn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: St. Petersburg, FL
Posts: 15,061

Bikes: 2003 Specialized Rockhopper FSR Comp, 1999 Specialized Hardrock Comp FS, 1971 Schwinn Varsity

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
Pressure washed your bike eh? The only smooth move you'll have soon will be courtesy of Ex-Lax.
__________________
Raiyn 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.