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Author Topic: Cleaning The Aluminum on the C14  (Read 7963 times)

Offline thundermax

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Cleaning The Aluminum on the C14
« on: March 01, 2013, 09:47:35 AM »
Asking for your recommendation to clean the aluminum on the c14.

My 2009 aluminum is a little dirty and kind of has a film on it that makes it look dull. The wheels have black specks on them I guess from the brakes. Tried cleaning and they did not come off easy so they are still there.

There are aluminum cleaners at the Walmart, Oreilley's, Autozone, etc. Which ones do you use? Certainly do not want to harm any of the other painted parts.

I just want to do a spring cleaning, make it look the best possible. Have not gone to the car wash yet. Recommendations on going there and working with the high pressure nozzle, and possible cleaners available though the hose like engine cleaner, tire cleaner.

Thanks. Think this post is just right in time. Everyone wants to get their bike nice looking for spring riding.
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Offline gPink

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Re: Cleaning The Aluminum on the C14
« Reply #1 on: March 01, 2013, 10:44:27 AM »
Not everyone.
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Offline stevewfl

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Re: Cleaning The Aluminum on the C14
« Reply #2 on: March 01, 2013, 11:06:41 AM »
Only a few parts are "bare" aluminum, any off the shelf aluminum cleaner should suffice.

WD 40 to clean wheels, goo-gone for the impossible gunk spots.



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Offline Spanky

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Re: Cleaning The Aluminum on the C14
« Reply #3 on: March 01, 2013, 11:47:38 AM »
Mother's aluminum polish. I like it, but I have not tried all the others.
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Offline Conrad

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Re: Cleaning The Aluminum on the C14
« Reply #4 on: March 01, 2013, 11:49:27 AM »
DO NOT USE A HIGH PRESSURE WASHER ON YOUR BIKE!

You will be VERY unhappy afterwards if you do. Don't use any of the crap they offer at the carwash either.

I've never used any aluminum specific cleaners on my bike. Just car wash, a good quality wax, and 303 Aerospace protectant (for the dull plastic bits) .
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Offline Jaxter

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Re: Cleaning The Aluminum on the C14
« Reply #5 on: March 01, 2013, 12:05:35 PM »
Simple Green...spray it on let it sit for a few minutes then hose it off
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Offline Scaffolder

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Re: Cleaning The Aluminum on the C14
« Reply #6 on: March 01, 2013, 01:31:07 PM »
You can put wheel wax on after it is all clean to help on the next cleaning. It helps a little.
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Offline Conrad

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Re: Cleaning The Aluminum on the C14
« Reply #7 on: March 01, 2013, 01:42:40 PM »
Quote from: Scaffolder on March 01, 2013, 01:31:07 PM
You can put wheel wax on after it is all clean to help on the next cleaning. It helps a little.

+1
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Offline maxtog

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Re: Cleaning The Aluminum on the C14
« Reply #8 on: March 01, 2013, 03:15:10 PM »
Quote from: Conrad on March 01, 2013, 01:42:40 PM
+1

+2

I "wax" everything on the bike except the black plastic/rubber and the seat.  But I use Mother's Synwax (which is a non-wax protectant)

As said above, there is very little raw aluminum on the bike... I think it is all painted except for the brake levers and tree/bars and a few doo-dads.
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Offline ZG

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Re: Cleaning The Aluminum on the C14
« Reply #9 on: March 01, 2013, 03:22:40 PM »
Quote from: maxtog on March 01, 2013, 03:15:10 PM
I "wax" everything on the bike except the black plastic/rubber and the seat.  But I use Mother's Synwax (which is a non-wax protectant)

Karate Kid - Wax on Wax off
 
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Offline maxtog

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Re: Cleaning The Aluminum on the C14
« Reply #10 on: March 01, 2013, 04:09:17 PM »
Quote from: ZG on March 01, 2013, 03:22:40 PM
Karate Kid - Wax on Wax off

Indeed
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Offline Rhino

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Re: Cleaning The Aluminum on the C14
« Reply #11 on: March 01, 2013, 04:12:41 PM »
Quote from: ZG on March 01, 2013, 03:22:40 PM

Karate Kid - Wax on Wax off

Considering all the waxing I have done over the years, I must be a Karate master by now ;D
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Offline VirginiaJim

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Re: Cleaning The Aluminum on the C14
« Reply #12 on: March 01, 2013, 04:15:09 PM »
Cleaning the aluminum, eh?  :yikes: :yikes:
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Offline 1 wheel peel

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Re: Cleaning The Aluminum on the C14
« Reply #13 on: March 01, 2013, 06:54:15 PM »
Quote from: stevewfl on March 01, 2013, 11:06:41 AM
.....WD 40 to clean wheels, goo-gone for the impossible gunk spots.
+1
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Offline ZG

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Re: Cleaning The Aluminum on the C14
« Reply #14 on: March 01, 2013, 07:28:32 PM »
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Offline C14PAINKILLER

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Re: Cleaning The Aluminum on the C14
« Reply #15 on: March 01, 2013, 09:58:16 PM »
There was post I believe on this forum where the poster bought some aluminum brightener for NAPA auto. His purpose was to clean the rad, just have to watch your painted parts.
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Offline Conrad

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Re: Cleaning The Aluminum on the C14
« Reply #16 on: March 02, 2013, 05:31:17 AM »
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Northern Illinois   Silverdammit '08 C-14 ABS

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Offline stevewfl

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Re: Cleaning The Aluminum on the C14
« Reply #17 on: March 02, 2013, 07:35:57 AM »
LMAO @ wax on, wax off!


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Offline Pokey

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Re: Cleaning The Aluminum on the C14
« Reply #18 on: March 02, 2013, 10:37:58 AM »
What aluminum do you speak of?
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Offline MAN OF BLUES

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Re: Cleaning The Aluminum on the C14
« Reply #19 on: March 02, 2013, 10:53:09 AM »
Quote from: Jaxter on March 01, 2013, 12:05:35 PM
Simple Green...spray it on let it sit for a few minutes then hose it off

have you ever read the cautionary statements on Simple Green..... ::)
IIRC it says NOT for use on aluminum. ???
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