noobyondaroad

So I'll be picking up my super six 105 in a day or so and before that faithful day, where I pick up my beauty, I want to be well versed in the maintaing matte carbon.

From the hours of google I looked up, there seems to be no real definitive answers on how to care for matte carbon.

Some say pedros lust, while another user would say NO, THATS FOR GLOSSY FRAMES.

Some say windex, but then others would explain that shouldn't make it into a habit (im assuming it'll degrade something from constant use..? I dont know.)

The most frequented response seems to be "dish soap (interchangeable with handsoap) and water"

As you can see, Im a bit confused on exactly what the most harmless but effective way to clean a matte bike is. Im sure my frame will accumulate loads of oils from riding and loading and unloading the bike. Im just trying to find the method that WON'T harm the matte finish. I've seen some gnarly photos of the matte finish taking on a sheen type of look from using harmful chemicals and that is something I would like to avoid.

Sometimes I wish my heart was set on the glossy colorway. But alas, my heart is with the pain in the ass matte finish.

Btw, what kind of dish soaps (dawn, pine, etc etc) or soaps (ivory, dove ((with moisturizer), dial) do you guys use? Do you guys also use a regular old bathroom towel or more of the car aficionado type towels with the super soft microfiber

WhyFi

Over-thinking it, you are.

noobyondaroad

I get that alot

vwchad

It isn't as delicate a finish as you think. You are way over thinking this for sure. Something like simple green works fine for the nasty parts, or the whole thing honestly. You can also use a waterless car wash for regular cleaning when you don't want to pull out get out the hose. Visit the car wash isle at your local auto parts store and you'll find everything you need.

Elvo

Simple green extreme motorsports

WhyFi

BTW, you didn't mention it in this thread, so I'll reiterate what I think to be the most important point - set aside a paint brush (or something) to use to brush off the *dried* sand/dirt/crud that'll stick to the frame. Microfiber cloth or not, you don't want to wipe down the frame until those abrasives are gone. Frankly, my frame care consists of brushing it off when the crud really accumulates and/or when I want to bring the bike in to the house to put it on the trainer. Brushing probably happens 3-5 times per year. When I wipe it down, it's only with mildly soapy water and usually only when I might want to take an updated picture of it, which is once a year or less.

RIRview

Microfiber cloths are the way to go. Regular road dust and grime will wipe off surprisingly easy with just plain water. For grease or oil, I use Windex with a microfiber cloth. No issues at all with the matte finish getting shiny.

enjoi07

Just use water on the frame. Water/dawn on the components.

bt

try using paint thinner.

Jesus, is this thread for reals?

FLvector

+1

milkbaby

I just use water but from a hose not the stuff from arctic icebergs.

zvez

wipe it off with a damp washcloth once in a blue moon, knock off any built up crust, that's enough.

LAJ

No trouble at all tossing a coat of wax on mine. Windex and microfiber to clean it up.

kleng

carnauba wax like mothers or if your too lazy Finishline bike polish

merlinextraligh

Don't clean it; you'll destroy the patina.

SpeshulEd 

Or a wet rag will do the trick.

coppercook62

^
what i use on mine

dstrong 

I bought a Specialized Roubaix Expert last month...matte black/grey with blue highlights. It's my first new road bike since I bought my Peugeot back in high school...a long, long time ago. So far, I've ridden it a dozen times and have washed it after almost every ride. We'll see how long this lasts...but here's what I do.

• Clamp it into my workstand (I finally bought one after using a homemade beast for years)
• Give it a quick rinse with the hose with the sprayer set on "mist". Start at the front, work top down, front to back
• Drip some degreaser onto the cogset and chainrings, while turning the pedals slowly and applying the Park cassette brush to distribute over the drive train
• Pour a little Park Cleaning solution into a small plastic pan and add water (says 10 parts water to 1 part solution)
• Using the Park bristle brush, I start at the front again and gently apply soapy water with the brush, top down, front to back avoiding the drive train as best as possible
• Once finished with the soapy water, I use a different bristle brush to hit the drive train that the degreaser's been working on
• Hit the bike with the mist again to rinse it off
• At this point, I sometimes pull off the wheels to get between the fork legs, chainstays and seat stays
• Using a micr-fiber cloth, I then dry the whole bike
• Using a separate rag, I dry and re-lube the drive train

Because it's summer in Texas and I sweat a ton, I'll often remove my seatpost, clean it and the clamp, as it's a magnet for my sweat.

The whole process takes about 30 minutes and boy, it sure does look like new after I'm finished.

A few times, after shorter morning rides or if I know I'm going to ride the next day and will do a full clean, I just hit it with the mist to get the sweat off and then dry it with the microfiber cloth.

enjoi07

Dafuk

PaulRivers

Lol...


You know, do whatever you enjoy! But for non-aesethetic reason, there's no reason to clean carbon fiber. For aesthetic reasons it's a matter of if you think it's worth sinking time into...

bugly64

I was guilted into cleaning my frame by this thread. I used a pressure washer and scouring powder.

WhyFi

Heat guns come in handy for the really stubborn spots - add that to the workflow next time.

rebel1916

I use a mix of hydrochloric acid, bleach and lye.

SpeshulEd 

I commend you folks that clean your bike almost as often as you ride it. I clean mine once every couple months, usually the night before a big/long group ride so I can give everything a once over beforehand.

Hell, I don't think I've cleaned my mtb since I bought it over 6 months ago.

dstrong 

FYI..I haven't washed either of my cars in more than a year...so I doubt I'll continue washing my bike after each ride forever...but for now, it's got that "new bike gleam" (even though it's matte).