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Cleaned my bike - disaster !

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Old Oct 5th, 2008, 05:56 PM     #1
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Cleaned my bike - disaster !

Hi,

Have been followed this forum since i bought my bike, Fatboy, in early August. Great forum and i have learn a lot during the last 2 months.

Today, after coming home from my Sunday ride with the local chapter i washed the bike as usual. I wanted to get the nice mat black color on the engine back and a friend of mine has told me he use some cleaning for tire. So, i took my Turtle Wax, Nano Tech Wheel cleaner... and started spraying it on and brush with my tooth brush (the old one! ).

I rinsed with warm water and first it look awesome, the engine was like it was when new. However, the chrome cover had some strange pattern and i tried to wipe it off but it was impossible to remove. Tried with chrome polish, same again. It was still there. What happened? Has any of you guys seen this before and what can i do to remove it?

Richard
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Old Oct 5th, 2008, 06:06 PM     #2
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Re: Cleaned my bike - disaster !

Quote:
Originally Posted by riwig View Post
Hi,

Have been followed this forum since i bought my bike, Fatboy, in early August. Great forum and i have learn a lot during the last 2 months.

Today, after coming home from my Sunday ride with the local chapter i washed the bike as usual. I wanted to get the nice mat black color on the engine back and a friend of mine has told me he use some cleaning for tire. So, i took my Turtle Wax, Nano Tech Wheel cleaner... and started spraying it on and brush with my tooth brush (the old one! ).

I rinsed with warm water and first it look awesome, the engine was like it was when new. However, the chrome cover had some strange pattern and i tried to wipe it off but it was impossible to remove. Tried with chrome polish, same again. It was still there. What happened? Has any of you guys seen this before and what can i do to remove it?

Richard
hard to say
ENGINE must be cool before washing and use only cool water.
stick to mild soaps for washing when needed nothing with a wax in it on that engine.
coat it from time to time with pig spit or the S100 version engine brite LIGHTLY. These two products will keep the power coat looking new foreber
If bike is real dirty try S100 total cycle cleaner according to direction.
And never mix any soap or cleaner stronger than lable say.
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Old Oct 5th, 2008, 06:33 PM     #3
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Re: Cleaned my bike - disaster !

Engine was cool, and i used the usual wash soap for the rest of the bike. Only the engine got the Turtle Wax, Nano Tech Wheel cleaner. Rinsed with warm (body temp) water.

I just took a second look at the problem and it's only chrome cover on the right side of the enginetht has this problem. Left side looks OK.
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Old Oct 5th, 2008, 06:42 PM     #4
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Re: Cleaned my bike - disaster !

Just a silly observation....Are your sure this problem did not exist before the cleaning.

Try the the Turtle stuff on you neighbors chrome. OOps did i just say that !!
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Old Oct 5th, 2008, 06:43 PM     #5
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Re: Cleaned my bike - disaster !

Looks like a reaction or transfer of something as a result of the product used. Just on the chrome, try some lacquer thinner on a rag and do a spot to see if it removes it. Don't saturate the rag just dampen it and see what happens.

There's no clear coat on the chrome so I think it's a transfer of some sort.
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Old Oct 5th, 2008, 06:47 PM     #6
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Cleaned my bike - disaster !

Yes, the chrome was perfect before cleaning. Just a little dusty.

Thank's for the tip, will try the Turtle stuff on my neighbor's car bumper.

Thank's Glider,

Yes, it look's like some reaction on the chrome. Not on the surface but inside the chrome. Will try your tip tomorrow. Strange it only happends on one side...

Last edited by glider; Oct 5th, 2008 at 07:09 PM. Reason: merged
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Old Oct 6th, 2008, 08:37 PM     #7
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Re: Cleaned my bike - disaster !

if u can put a little spit on your finger and the acid from it takes it off u can use a lite rubbing compound with a mirco-fiber towel and it should take it off. It looks like dry soapy residue.
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Old Oct 7th, 2008, 03:08 PM     #8
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Re: Cleaned my bike - disaster !

Sorry guys, nothing seems to work but thanks for all the tips. As Glider mentioned before it seems to be some reaction inside the chrome. I guess i have to buy a new cover...
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Old Oct 7th, 2008, 03:20 PM     #9
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Re: Cleaned my bike - disaster !

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I guess i have to buy a new cover...
it should be covered under warranty including the labour and gaskets
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Old Oct 7th, 2008, 03:45 PM     #10
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Re: Cleaned my bike - disaster !

Yes, i hope so. I have the first service next week and will try to have this cover replaced. The question is if the dealer will replace it or just tell me i should have tried this cleaning soap on some "invisible" place first.
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