Make it sparkle
 

I thought this would be the most appropriate place to post this question, but let me know if I should put it elsewhere.

My bike doesn't really get too dirty from my rides, but I do treat to a wash every now and then with soap and water. But I've been wanting to really make it sparkle lately (and I'm not talking about glitter). I want to make it look as new as possible, maybe use some polish and other potions and some of the cleaning stuff for the tires.

What would you guys recommend? Microfiber is probably a good idea for the frame, but what about other parts of the bike? What should I use for the rims, or the little plastic parts on the brake cables and or on the cones of the bike to get them really clean? What experience do you guys have?

Thanks. Happy Riding!

I usually just use car wash soap and give everything a good scrubbing with a towel. If something is really dirty/rusty I'll give it a rub with some fine steel wool.

i use bike cleaner that i have mixed from concentrate 10 parts water and 1 part cleaner. I have waxed one bike before. I should probably do that to my commuter as well.

I dry with a microfiber clothe everything.

Any decent car cleaner/wax. If it's really bad Meguir's Scratch X Rims would depend on what finish is on them - paint, anodized, polished all would have a different methods to get looking their best.

http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpe...troduction.htm

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...khatful+polish

I'm skeptical of various cleaning products - soap is soap right?
But I've found this stuff to really make a good clean up and shine.

http://www.outsideoutfitters.com/p-4...FYYWMgodHCAAFQ

I would never wash cones (I'm assuming you mean axle/hub cones) - you don't want soap and water getting in your bearing grease.

Thanks for all your responses guys. There's some good stuff in here. Maybe I'll be able to try some of this stuff this weekend. Oh, and cooker, no I wouldn't wash the cones either. I'm talking about the plastic coverings that help keep dirt out of them. I was wondering if there some kind of potion I could use to make those and other plastics/rubber on the bike look like new.

Anyway, thanks again guys.

Pledge furniture spray wax is great for painted frames. A little scotch-bright & simple green for the Ti frame.