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Motorcycle Wheel/Tire Cleaning

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  • #1

    Motorcycle Wheel/Tire Cleaning

    I searched for cleaning motorcycle wheels and did not see what I was looking for. I know to be careful with any tire dressing so as to not get it near the tread. However, at the risk of assuming, I assume the various wheel cleaners are ok to use on motorcycle wheels without the risk of making the tread slick. Please correct me if I am wrong.

    Overall, is there any differences in cleaning a motorcycle wheel vs a car wheel?
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  • #2
    Re: Motorcycle Wheel/Tire Cleaning

    While our wheel cleaners won't make the tires slick, they could cause other issues. First off, even chrome motorcycle wheels with traditional spokes should not be cleaned with our Hot Rims Chrome Wheel Cleaner because the spokes are rarely true chrome plated and can easily be damaged by that product. Also, it's so easy to get overspray onto surrounding material in close proximity to the wheels, and the acidic nature of this product is almost never safe on those materials.

    All Wheel & Tire Cleaner can even be overly aggressive on surrounding material so overspray can be a potential issue there as well. This product is also not suitable for the non chrome spokes on an otherwise chrome spoked wheel, and both of the above products carry warnings on their labels stating they are not recommended for use on motorcycle wheels.

    Our Aluminum Wheel Cleaner is safe to use on all motorcycle wheels and on the tires as well, as would APC or APC+ and an appropriate tire brush for thorough cleaning of the tire sidewall.
    Michael Stoops
    Senior Global Product & Training Specialist | Meguiar's Inc.

    Remember, this hobby is supposed to be your therapy, not the reason you need therapy.

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    • #3
      Re: Motorcycle Wheel/Tire Cleaning

      Wow, glad I asked.

      Comment

      • #4
        Re: Motorcycle Wheel/Tire Cleaning

        Hi Kluski,
        Looks like you have some good advice from Michael. We do quite a few bikes for a motorcycle tour company and have found APC to be ideal. Mixed up at a about 5 -1 it has heaps of uses cleaning bikes. We wet the bikes down first then spray APC on wheels, tyres, up under the mud guards around the rear swing arm, basically anywhere that the real dirt and grime (and bugs!) acumulate. I really loosens everything up before washing down the bike which means, even though everything is "sealed" and waterproof, we can limit the amount of high pressure water used on the motorcycle. It also doesn't have the overspray issues of some other products. Another tip - you may already know this - put a rag in the exhaust pipe, or you can get proper plugs to stop water getting in there (remember to take it out when you are done). A little water dripping down the exhaust won't hurt but a misdirected hose or pressure washer lance could make for a bad day at the office!

        Enjoy your motorcycle cleaning, I find they make a nice variation form cleaning cars all day!

        Cheers

        Stephen

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        • #5
          Re: Motorcycle Wheel/Tire Cleaning

          Originally posted by Michael Stoops View Post
          While our wheel cleaners won't make the tires slick, they could cause other issues. First off, even chrome motorcycle wheels with traditional spokes should not be cleaned with our Hot Rims Chrome Wheel Cleaner because the spokes are rarely true chrome plated and can easily be damaged by that product. Also, it's so easy to get overspray onto surrounding material in close proximity to the wheels, and the acidic nature of this product is almost never safe on those materials.

          All Wheel & Tire Cleaner can even be overly aggressive on surrounding material so overspray can be a potential issue there as well. This product is also not suitable for the non chrome spokes on an otherwise chrome spoked wheel, and both of the above products carry warnings on their labels stating they are not recommended for use on motorcycle wheels.

          Our Aluminum Wheel Cleaner is safe to use on all motorcycle wheels and on the tires as well, as would APC or APC+ and an appropriate tire brush for thorough cleaning of the tire sidewall.
          Michael, how's it going?

          Here goes stupid question. Can the APC be used as a tire and wheel spray without water? Does Meguiars make a rinseless wheel and tire cleaner like a spray on cleaner foam?

          Comment

          • #6
            Re: Motorcycle Wheel/Tire Cleaning

            For my motorcycles, I just use an MF & some D115, then wipe the wheels. I just leave the tires alone. Nothing else is really needed. The tank gets a clay and some ULW, the frame because its a matte finish, i just use D114 waterless. Honestly nothing more is ever needed....

            Comment

            • #7
              Re: Motorcycle Wheel/Tire Cleaning

              Don't use APC on my bike, cos it never gets dirty enough... But I DO use it on my car tires and a scrubbing brush. And even Super Degreaser on tires that have seen a silcone dressing Both diluted to 4:1. After being sprayed on directly, and scrubbed, i use a rough MF to rub it off.... Once the tire dries off as in a minute or so, i then just use Hyper dressing via an applicator... Tires come out perfect !!!!!! You can dial in how shiny you want it... I DO NOT use this on my motorcycle.... Just not worth it... Even if it detracts only 1% of grip, its simply not worth it...

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              • #8
                Re: Motorcycle Wheel/Tire Cleaning

                Originally posted by Coldazice View Post
                Michael, how's it going?

                Here goes stupid question. Can the APC be used as a tire and wheel spray without water? Does Meguiars make a rinseless wheel and tire cleaner like a spray on cleaner foam?
                APC should be fully rinsed from any surface, so it's not recommend as a "mist and wipe" type product. You're far better off using either Ultimate Wash & Wax Anywhere or it's Professional equivalent, D115, as thedoc46 mentions below.

                Originally posted by thedoc46 View Post
                For my motorcycles, I just use an MF & some D115, then wipe the wheels. I just leave the tires alone. Nothing else is really needed. The tank gets a clay and some ULW, the frame because its a matte finish, i just use D114 waterless. Honestly nothing more is ever needed....

                Michael Stoops
                Senior Global Product & Training Specialist | Meguiar's Inc.

                Remember, this hobby is supposed to be your therapy, not the reason you need therapy.

                Comment

                • #9
                  Re: Motorcycle Wheel/Tire Cleaning

                  Thank everyone for the advice. Because I garage bike outside, are there extra measures I can take to clean and protect the brake rotor, caliper, wheel (stock ast aluminum -from pitting), and tire? Is there ever a time to soap and water clean all three of these areas? Over time, dossnt the gease, oil, grime need some kind of soap and water product and solvent maybe once a month. I feel like being a new bike owner, parking bike outside, etc I'm fighting a loosi g battle to corrosion and rust.

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Re: Motorcycle Wheel/Tire Cleaning

                    Thank you Michael and Doc. If I wanted to get clean tbe calipers and rotors, what meguiars product can I purchase?

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