Bike / Engine Cleaners - be aware

[gsxbarmy]

I've been following a couple of threads on other forums where owners there have had (apparent) corrosion issues which they can't understand, having always kept their machine fairly clean, not ridden in winter etc.
What it appears to be is that some of these owners are using engine cleaners - A very well known brand in particular has been mentioned - and either leaving it on too long or failing to wash it off properly. There was one instance where (apparently) the manufacturer (BMW) asked the owner if he had used this well known brand on the engine and when he replied yes, promptly refused his warranty claim.

I won't mention the well known brand as its unfair to single it out, this applies to all cleaners.

So - morale of this post is - read the instructions on the bottle for the cleaner you are using both in terms of the time you leave it on to dwell, and removal of same. It might explain with some engines why the black / bright work has dulled possibly.

If you do have a choice with bike cleaners - always go for one with the lower pH value as they will be less aggressive.

[Mick_J]

There is a lot of talk along these lines on the tiger forum and some are suggesting using washing up liquid.

[Del]

All I ever use is washing up liquid (mainly Fairy Liquid) and never had an issue as I usually give the bike a polish afterwards with a good polish and Mr Sheen (love the stuff removes watermarks even if the bike has been sitting) - what I have heard about washing up liquids is that the salts in them do strip the polish off if too concentrated but never had any corrosion issues with it

Del 

[froudy]

So as we're not actually naming the "Engine/Bike cleaner" is it the commonly pink coloured one that sounds like "F*ck off" ??

[Red Biker]

Or is it Two letters followed by Three numbers???

Suspense is killing me!

[gsxbarmy]

So as we're not actually naming the "Engine/Bike cleaner" is it the commonly pink coloured one that sounds like "F*ck off" ??

errrr.....yes

[froudy]

So as we're not actually naming the "Engine/Bike cleaner" is it the commonly pink coloured one that sounds like "F*ck off" ??

errrr.....yes

I guessed it might be.
I literally spray it onto the wet cleaning brush, scrub the area I'm cleaning and then rinse it straight off...I don't leave it on for any longer than necessary

[Tug]

All I ever use is washing up liquid (mainly Fairy Liquid) and never had an issue as I usually give the bike a polish afterwards with a good polish and Mr Sheen (love the stuff removes watermarks even if the bike has been sitting) - what I have heard about washing up liquids is that the salts in them do strip the polish off if too concentrated but never had any corrosion issues with it

Del

And it leaves your hands as soft as your face

[gsxbarmy]

Or is it Two letters followed by Three numbers???

Suspense is killing me!

No. No reported problems with that one that I have found. Plus use that one myself and never had any issues

[gsxbarmy]

All I ever use is washing up liquid (mainly Fairy Liquid) and never had an issue as I usually give the bike a polish afterwards with a good polish and Mr Sheen (love the stuff removes watermarks even if the bike has been sitting) - what I have heard about washing up liquids is that the salts in them do strip the polish off if too concentrated but never had any corrosion issues with it

Del

You do have to be careful with Fairy Liquid (or any washing up liquid) as, as you rightly say Del they have detergents and other degreasers which will strip out any polish or wax from paintwork and eventually make it dull. That you polish yours afterwards would help stop this, but in all honesty for the sake of what a good car shampoo costs I would use that in preference, as it's the time you don't polish yours after washing that the damage would be done