Buy motocross cleaner: The key points listed
Prevent dull crankcases and peeling decals. Keep these points in mind before you grab the spray can:
- The right formula: Choose a mild all-purpose cleaner for your crankcases and frame. Reserve the aggressive brake cleaner exclusively for your brake discs and stubborn grease.
- Safe for aluminum: Always check that the motorcycle cleaner is safe for anodized and metal parts. This will prevent corrosion and white residue on your swingarm.
- Sticker-safe: A good cleaner won’t damage the adhesive layer of your decals.
- Biodegradable: Are you washing your motorcycle on your driveway or in the paddock? Choose an eco-friendly option.
- Pre-soaking is half the battle: Use a foaming cleaner that loosens dirt, so you don’t scratch your plastic with a stiff brush.
All-purpose cleaner vs. brake cleaner
A common mistake in the workshop is using one spray can for the entire motorcycle. This wastes money and product.
A motocross cleaner (or all-purpose cleaner) is a mild, often foaming liquid. Spray this over your entire motorcycle. It breaks down mud and sand without damaging the surface.
A remreiniger is an extremely powerful, volatile degreaser. Perfect for spraying brake dust off your discs or cleaning a disassembled crankcase part to be grease-free. Never spray this on your crankcases, seat, or chain. It will dry out rubber O-rings immediately and cause plastic to discolor. Only use aggressive products locally, as directed.
Safe for stickers and anodized aluminum
You just applied a new sticker set and your wheel hubs are shining in the sun. You want to keep it that way. Aggressive industrial degreasers are harmful to your dirt bike’s finish. They dissolve the adhesive layer of your decals, causing the edges to curl up and sand to get underneath.
Additionally, aluminum is extremely sensitive to the wrong chemicals. Too high an acidity in a cheap cleaner will cause your swingarm and crankcases to develop white residue instantly. Always choose a dedicated motorcycle cleaner that explicitly states it is safe for paint, plastic, rubber, and aluminum.
Step-by-step guide: Wash your dirt bike like a pro
Finished with your ride? Don’t blast away with the pressure washer blindly. Follow these steps in the wash bay:
- Step 1: Close off openings. Press an exhaust plug into your muffler and install a wash cover in place of your luchtfilterWater in your cylinder is an expensive mistake.
- Step 2: Remove loose dirt. Spray off the thick mud with a gentle stream. Stay away from your wheel bearings and steering head.
- Step 3: Let it soak. Spray the motocross cleaner over the entire motorcycle. Let the foam work for a few minutes. It loosens dirt from the surface. Never let it dry in the hot sun.
- Step 4: Scrub and rinse. Grab a soft brush for the stubborn spots under your mud guards and around the engine block. Then rinse everything thoroughly with clean water.
- Step 5: Dry and lubricate. Blow the motorcycle dry with compressed air, especially around the bearings and electronics. Lubricate your chain immediately now that the links are still warm and clean.