Cleaning the FJ

[BVEBRAD]

This could be considered a somewhat stupid post but yutahey.  I am wondering if anyone has used wax on the frame.  My concern is that the frame and especially the swingarm is somewhat flat black.  Before I try it on a test spot I thought I might as well ask if anyone else has tried.  I'm getting ready to detail her for the season and I'm trying to avoid a possible hassle.  Any feedback is appreciated.

[mcride]

I contacted Meguires for their advice on care of matte finishes.  They told me that it is important to avoid anything that will add shininess.  It will not be an even level of gloss so waxes and polishes are to be avoided.  They also said that it is important to keep the bike clean so the matte paint won't get spots which will be hard to remove without making a shiny spot. They recommended  Meguires Ultimate Quick Detailer which is use and like.  It doesn't seem like much more than water but I am able to do some spot cleaning with it.
 

[wessie]

I quite like the matt black. It blends in better with the overall patination of my bike.
 
Detailing & seasonal use? Isn't that something more akin to Hárley Dávidsón ownership?

[duhs10]

I use soap, water and a sponge, then hose it off...

[BVEBRAD]

First of all my FJ is red.  When I was much younger I used to ride all year long.  I had a snowmobile suit that I wore during the cold weather.  I am now a fair weather rider, it gets cold here in the winter although I did get a fair amount of riding in this past winter.  As for the clean bike reference to Harleys, I have always kept all 14 of my bikes, none of which has been  a Harley, in pristine condition.  It definitely pays off come selling time.  The other response to this post answered my question about waxing the frame.  I know it was referring to the Matte Gray paint but the frame and swingarm do seem similar in finish.  Thanks gentlemen and Wesse, I do enjoy your posts.

[martyl]

The Reason I bought the 2015 Matt Grey Instead of a 2016 Black is because I don't like waxing bikes. I like that I can just hose her down and wipe off with cloth rags. My Ural Gear Up is Camo and I don't have to wax that rig either. On the other hand my Yamaha 1976 XS650C gets the wax and polishing. I'd rather be riding than polishing.... ;-)
 
 

[suncoaster]

Nice XS !

[javashot1]

I contacted Meguires for their advice on care of matte finishes.  They told me that it is important to avoid anything that will add shininess.  It will not be an even level of gloss so waxes and polishes are to be avoided.  They also said that it is important to keep the bike clean so the matte paint won't get spots which will be hard to remove without making a shiny spot. They recommended  Meguires Ultimate Quick Detailer which is use and like.  It doesn't seem like much more than water but I am able to do some spot cleaning with it.

I use this too.  I gives the finish properties of a protected waxed finish such as beading water and easy clean up - but no wax build up and shine.  Stuff smells great too  8-)  
 

[praztek]

All I have used is Pro Honda Spray Cleaner & Polish
 
Never really gets that dirty to ever need to hose her down

[martyl]

Nice XS !

 
Thanks Suncoaster. I've owned it since new when I was 17 yrs. old with money from cutting lawns. Still runs like a top. Yamaha went the retro route with their 500cc single but I think they missed the mark and should have brought back the XS 650. Truly a bulletproof engine. Lots of folk out there making choppers and bobbers out of them although I'd never do that to mine. Been kicking around finding one for my son.

[BVEBRAD]

I also had a 76 XS 650 with the exact color scheme as yours.  I bought it used around 1978.  One St. Patricks day a good friend of mine took it for a ride while I was taking a shower.  We were heading out to celebrate the Irish.  I showered and waited for him to return.  Several hours later I get a call from him from the hospital.  Sure enough he had crashed right into a guard rail while coming down a steep country  road that ended with a stop sign and the forementioned guardrail.  I was able to piece her back together but sold it shortly afterwards.  It was a comfortable bike that handled pretty good for the times.

[Guest bruinfj09guy]

I hose down, wash with dish soap in warm water, sometimes I use Wax As You Dry spray (might be McGuires; can't remember). In between I use McGuires Quick Detailer.
 
I bought a product call Turtle Wax Black Magic Detailer (or something like that) for the black FJR. I used it on the black parts on the FJ-09 including frame, wheels, engine, graphite panels, and it made the bike look great!

[wessie]

I hose down, wash with dish soap in warm water, sometimes I use Wax As You Dry spray (might be McGuires; can't remember). In between I use McGuires Quick Detailer.  
I bought a product call Turtle Wax Black Magic Detailer (or something like that) for the black FJR. I used it on the black parts on the FJ-09 including frame, wheels, engine, graphite panels, and it made the bike look great!

dish soap, at least the stuff they sell in the UK, is not a good product to use on vehicles. They use salt, the stuff you put on French Fries, as a thickener. 

[Guest bruinfj09guy]

I hose down, wash with dish soap in warm water, sometimes I use Wax As You Dry spray (might be McGuires; can't remember). In between I use McGuires Quick Detailer.  
I bought a product call Turtle Wax Black Magic Detailer (or something like that) for the black FJR. I used it on the black parts on the FJ-09 including frame, wheels, engine, graphite panels, and it made the bike look great!

dish soap, at least the stuff they sell in the UK, is not a good product to use on vehicles. They use salt, the stuff you put on French Fries, as a thickener. 

...oh? That's not good. I suppose I should throw down a few buck on some car/motorcycle soap.

[martyl]

The issue with using regular dish soap is that it removes the wax that's on already. A detailer told me to only use soap concentrate especially formulated for use on vehicles.