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Visionary
Posts: 1365
Central Maryland | Been going CRAZY here wanting to ride my bike; but due to the salt and other chemicals they threw all over the roads last weekend; I decided to wait until today. Had a nice ride in on dry roads, although I still picked up a slight, fine dusting of salt powder on some areas of the bike.
What's the consensus on safely cleaning this stuff off? Hot water with soap, or cold water with soap? I've heard hot water will accelerate corrosive action of the salts. But wouldn't cold water not be as effective in dissolving the salt? |
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Cruiser
Posts: 164
Quad Cities, IL | In theory, yes high humidity (1oo% relative humidity) and heat (120F constant temp) will accellerate the corrosion process. These parameters coupled with a 5% salt solutions being constantly misted at a certain rate over painted parts at a certain orientation in an enclosed chamber is how a "Salt Spray Corrosion Test" is performed per ASTM B117. Yes, I am a paint dork. Sorry, but you asked. 
That said. I ride in the midwest and see plenty of salt crap on my bike, especially in early spring and during those winter runs when the roads are clear of the big snow. Anyhow, I just hose it down with cold water. When the hose is frozen, I use a bucket of warm water (and maybe some soap, but not necessary) and a spray bottle with the same. The reality is, you can use hot water if you want, the exposure time will be so minimal that it won't accelerate anything before removing the salt.
Hope this helps. |
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Visionary
Posts: 2027
Brighton, TN | WOW good ANSWER! I could have said it better but he beat me to it, so I'll just let him take the credit! |
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Visionary
Posts: 1365
Central Maryland | Thanks HLUSN8. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1365
Central Maryland | Well, I just came in for a break and a beer. Just finished working on her (2 hours). Even with her on a Sears motorcycle jack; I ended up laying on me belly; on me sides and on me back getting to everything under her. She is sparkling an magnificent and I am wet and cold.
Used regular car soap on her and lots and lots of cold hose water. Then used a leaf blower to get all the water out of her crevices.
Nothing amiss with her surfaces. No corrosion; did concentrate on a lot of the bolts and nuts with a toothbrush so that's why I'm so ungodly wet.
Ain't riding in dat chit no more. No siree....! |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | maybe I'm a slacker, but I just run a hose over the bike and underneath when it is cold. I hope that will remove as much as can be removed. after four years of winter riding and yes, in the salt, I have had no known adverse affects. This will be my fifth season on the Vision and I don't plan on slowin' down... Rode in the 50 degree rain this morning and the Vision was just lovely.... |
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| Riding in salt covered roads is not good but then thats part of riding I guess. Back in the day I road on the beach at spring brake and that winter tuck the bike apart for painting. I found the salt behind fender rails under the battery tray under over and every where. I had wash the bike twenty to thirty times before I pulled the bike apart. Salt is like dust it gets every where and all you can do is wash and rewash. Did I say wash enough. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1365
Central Maryland | Gee... makes me think that I should go back out and drown my bike again....
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | willtill - 2011-11-04 4:03 PM
Gee... makes me think that I should go back out and drown my bike again....
truth.... |
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Tourer
Posts: 432
Gettysburg, 2008 Tour Premium | Soap and water, hot or cold. Never use S100 or anything harsher than 'good' car soap. I will repeat--no S100 or anything with acids in it. I use a leaf blower also. I use the best McGuire's car Wash N Wax. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1109
| Makes me glad I live in an area where we don't have to contend with such problems lol. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 111
| Salt is a real pain. Even when you think it's gone, it isn't Using the hose with an open end (no Nozzle) is about the only way you can do it. The nozzles or a high pressure washer will sure knock the top off but will also drive it into places it wasn't before. A lawn sprinkler under the bike for a LONG time will help. If you ever get it all off, a lubricant like LPS 3 sprayed into all the little spots under the bike will help keep it out. I race at the Bonneville salt flats and have given generously to the gods of rust. Good luck.
Edited by rebelce 2011-11-05 9:28 AM
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Best way to remove salt powder from bike?