The Honda PCX / Forza / ADV150 / SH Forums

Hi all, i have to admit my head is getting frazzled trying to learn how to clean my bike without damaging it and doing it the correct way, ive had my new PCX for 10 days now and its filty and in bad need of a clean....

Here is where im at in my head at the moment, id love to hear how you clean yours and any tips, this is how im thinking of cleaning, but more than likely will do something wrong, any pointers would be most helpful along with any better products that i have linked...

RIGHT! im thinking of first
-hosing (not jetwash) my PCX down

- then adding some of this to a bucket of cold water
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121737612148

- and giving a good rub down with the soapy solution with one of these
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/230440798791

- then use the same soapy sollution to clean the wheels, mud guard area and underneath of the PCX with a set of these brushes
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-SET-OF-3- ... SwhcJWOO~K

- rinse off PCX with hose pipe

- Dry the PCX with a chamois
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/231198942876

- then add this polish/wax with a microfiber cloth, leave to dry and with a new microfibre cloth buff it
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121644309501?var=420636712734

so far does this sound ok?

but after all of that would i need to lube up any of the moving parts like side stands, center stand? plastic cables etc? like i said its really frazzling my brain to try and get a procedure to follow for a good weekly clean for my PCX, any insight from you long time PCX'ers would be brilliant

speak soon and all the best

Martin

Coming from a car polish enthusiast, your plan sounds fine. I would use microfiber towels instead of a chamois to dry the paint. I am not familiar with the polish in your link. I use Menzerna Powerlock polymer paint sealant that lasts for a few months then re-apply after a few months. A little goes a long way with paint sealants and you can barely see it as you apply it. Once dry, use a microfiber towel to remove and buff to a gloss finish. I would follow with something easy to use and after your weekly washes like Meguiars ultimate quick wax. I am not connected to any of these companies, but have used them for a few years with solid results on my cars and now the PCX.

I also like the menzerna products, try blackfire crystal seal for a final sealant, you wipe on, and walk away, no buffing. To weekly clean I use Duragloss rinseless.To seal the wheels, I use carpro hydro2.

Power wash once every couple of months.

The manual will tell you what to use and how to wash it. Me? Washed it once, maybe twice, in three years.

Bucket of mild detergent of your choice, well squeezed microfiber cloth. Start at the top dousing the cloth frequently. Rims last washing twice, once with fresh soapy mixture. Basically a surface cleaning sponge bath. If needed once or twice a year garden hose the lower body only. Then this from the Harley community, get out your leaf blower and gently blow dry the crevasses, nuts, bolts and under the wheel wells taking care not to force moisture into gauges, headlamps, taillight or signal assemblies. Finally a wax polish of your choice so that the next few times you need a dust off you can get by with just a damp cloth wipe down.

None of this applies to the UK daily commuter. Some of the harshest riding conditions on the planet

Normal detergent is normally frowned on due to higher salt content than speciality detergents - Asda (UK Walmart) have a large bottle of special detergent wash with wax for £3 made for cleaning all vehicles.

Over here in the USA I have car washing detergent that can be purchased at any store that has an automotive section. I use that for both my car and my bikes. As with any car, rinse off salt and mud before washing so that you do not push the loose dirt into your paint. When it comes to waxing the bike I know that the paint is relatively thin so the abrasive waxes would take off a layer of paint, so use something that is good for plastic, since that is exactly what the panels are. There are a lot of 'spray and wipe' polishes and cleaners for plastic. I use Novus, but there are others that are just as good. Use Google and type in "plastic cleaner and polish". Meguiar's has one also.
http://www.ceshowroom.com/ProductDetail ... AkCx8P8HAQ

If you live in the UK I would say listen to those who live there. I am not sure that we in the United States get weather as bad as you guys get most of your riding year.

Pardon me, but has anyone tried any of those "nano"/"ceramic"/"glass" coating on their PCX? Lately I've been wondering if it would be worth paying for. It would make the PCX "self-cleaning" or at least easier to clean. No?

raito wrote:Pardon me, but has anyone tried any of those "nano"/"ceramic"/"glass" coating on their PCX? Lately I've been wondering if it would be worth paying for. It would make the PCX "self-cleaning" or at least easier to clean. No?

I have used these for a couple years quite extensively on cars. They work very well. Your surface is sealed against marring and swirls for a couple years.You wipe on ,buff out the high spots, and walk away. One of the best out there that's the easiest to use is CquartzUK. That's the name of it , google it. It requires the surface to be prepped with a finishing polish. It shouldn't be more than 45 min To do a bike, and you're done for a couple years. Watch the youtubes on it.

Let the garage wash it when its serviced every 8 weeks or so.

Waterless wash and wax.
Spray on, wipe off, washes and polishes in seconds.
Reviews of a selection of them here: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/accessorie ... s-car-wash
I used Proshine when I had a Jag and thought it was really good.
Much quicker than farting around with hoses and shammy leathers and such.
Also if you are riding on salty roads give all the metalwares of your scooter a good going over with FS365, ACF-50 or similar anti-corrosion treatment.

I live in Thailand, where we have rain every other week. I always hose spray the mud off and then use car shampoo. Rinse and dry. Spray anti corrosion on metal parts and 303 UV protectant on plastic parts. If I still have energy and enthusiasm left, a good waxing will be next. If not, the 303 already shines like a million dollar by itself.

Then, here goes the rain again...