Simple Green + power wash = good engine cleaner?

Would it be ok to clean the entire bike like that?

Soak the bike in Simple Green and then pressure wash the piss out of it?

thanks

Keep in mind that there are a variety of rubber seals, etc. on a bike that seal components containing grease and oil. If you hit a rubber seal (or possibly even a gasket)with a pressure washer you may force water into a bad place. Ed

I use my power washer on my bike all the time. Just remember that you have to cover up anything you don't want to get wet. I use baggies to cover up areas I want to keep dry. I also don't use the wand up close to the bike because of the issues discussed above. Remember to lube your chain when you're done. I use an electric home power washer that's not all too powerful but more than enough to get the job done. Heck it isn't much diferent than riding in the pouring rain for a few hours like I had to on my last road trip.:blink: You should also remember that anything you spray on areas that will get hot might etch if you leave a residiue. :ohmy: I also use a compressor to blow the excess water off after I'm done spraying.:dry:

Thanks for the tips

Avoid getting any cleaning compounds into electrical connectors as on most Japanese motorcycles they are not sealed.

The soap will corrode the male and female pins, making troubleshooting a real PITA!

Simple Green is good, but this stuff is awesome :

www.clean-rite.com/

PP has some SERIOUS concentration, so spray it on, let it sit for a few min. then THOUROUGHLY wash it off !

Actually high pressure washing isn't a good idea on motorycles unless it actually needs it.

A good cleaning agent with a garden hose is the better choice when you clean your bike regularly.

Park it in the shade, mist it with simple green and an immediate mist of water. Let it soak for about a minute [do not let the simple green dry on the bike].

Rinse, then bucket wash with car wash soap.

NEVER PUT SIMPLE GREEN ON A HOT ENGINE.

High pressure water gets forced past your wheel bearing seals and starts the corrosion process inside.

I always take the WD40 with a nozzle and spray the wheel seal area after I wash the bike.

WD on an old rag is excellent for cleaning the drive chain as well.

Works for me anyway

Polar_Bus wrote:

Simple Green is good, but this stuff is awesome :

www.clean-rite.com/

PP has some SERIOUS concentration, so spray it on, let it sit for a few min. then THOUROUGHLY wash it off !

Purple Power is awesome stuff but you have to be very careful with it on Aluminum. Leave it on too long and it can turn it dark.

I use PP & Water in my parts washer in a 40/60 ratio. PP will eat the carbon our of combustion chambers. Again though, you have to be careful how long you leave stuff in it.

Worst part is not all aluminum behaves the same. Some can be left in the parts washer overnight and some will turn start to turn black after only an hour or so.

Larry C

I could be wrong but simple green is corrosive to aluminum and will take any and all shine away. I sprayed my whole engine one time and it removed the grease but screwed up my finish on the aluminum. Do a test spot to be sure. Gunk with a toothbrush and a garden hose will work just the same without damage to the finishes.

My .02 cents

larrycavan wrote:

Polar_Bus wrote:

Simple Green is good, but this stuff is awesome :

www.clean-rite.com/

PP has some SERIOUS concentration, so spray it on, let it sit for a few min. then THOUROUGHLY wash it off !

Purple Power is awesome stuff but you have to be very careful with it on Aluminum. Leave it on too long and it can turn it dark.

I use PP & Water in my parts washer in a 40/60 ratio. PP will eat the carbon our of combustion chambers. Again though, you have to be careful how long you leave stuff in it.

Worst part is not all aluminum behaves the same. Some can be left in the parts washer overnight and some will turn start to turn black after only an hour or so.

Larry C

I actually had a situation on my '87 GSXR's engine where PP actually left behind an odd whitish residue. It wouldn't wash off. I ended up spraying the engine down with WD40, and gave it a good wipedown, and engine looked good as new. I further recommend you "thin" out PP to a 50/50 dillution before spraying it on painted engine cases.

I do it all the time but I use ZEP Citrus Degreaser. Which i buy at home depot. It leaves no residue. any place that sells Simple green should sell the ZEP. It is about $10/Gal. But I found out you don't even have to use a pressure washer, just a garden hose will do just fine.

otakar wrote:

I do it all the time but I use ZEP Citrus Degreaser. Which i buy at home depot. It leaves no residue. any place that sells Simple green should sell the ZEP. It is about $10/Gal. But I found out you don't even have to use a pressure washer, just a garden hose will do just fine.

And you get a wonderfull aroma of fresh squeezed oranges while you wash ! :laugh: