Mark's melt away mud technique

[Paul_E_D]

So, we were sitting around catching our breath at Crow Hill the other day, and the Squirrel mentioned that his bike was getting cleaner as he rode more on the track. Mark's melting mud technique popped up, and everyone expressed curiosity, so I thought I'd be the first to try it out.

Confession, I did not use and actual paint brush to apply the 50/50 simple green and water to the bike, rather I used the cleaning brush I already had for the bikes.

Anyway, I rinsed the bike, then "painted" the simple green on all the filthy, mudstained bits and waited a few minutes. I got the hose and rinsed, fully expecting the mud and stains to melt away looking like a Dali painting come to life. I think I saw some melting action, but started to wonder if I ate the wrong kind of mushroom or something. Or maybe it's those Narragansett beers Mark is drinking?

Actually, it did work really well, and My bike is cleaner than it's been in years. A lot of the staining didn't come off, but some did and I'm thinking a few more washes like this and I can challenge Mark for cleanest bike honors.

This 's for you Mark!

[Kurlon]

Just be careful with Simple Green, it will stain aluminum if left for too long, especially if painted on.

[typeone]

too funny, my light tan bike in the garage was going to get a similar test today with said green stuff and a paint brush. Kurlon's caution is always in my head when using that stuff though. ive heard the same caution for years... but Mark swears by it and his photos prove it. gleaming.

my favorite process is still power washer spray down, foam/spray the whole bike with S100, wait a few min, power wash rinse, done. no staining. the problem is $$$. S100 works wonders on the 'tard too. spray and rinse.

[Paul_E_D]

My aluminum bits are already stained from mud/grease, so I'm not worried about that. The plastics came out so much cleaner. The bike is bright again.

[typeone]

the corrosion rumor is what i worried about more than just discoloration... i never really looked into it but just did a quick search... sounds like its OK to use on aluminum as long as you dont let it sit too long, rinse really thoroughly and protect afterward.

quote from Simple Green site about aluminum:

Aluminum - Is it safe to use Simple Green on aluminum?
Simple Green products have been successfully and safely used on aircraft, automotive, industrial and consumer aluminum items for over 20 years. However, caution and common sense must be used: Aluminum is a soft metal that easily corrodes with unprotected exposure to water. The aqueous-base and alkalinity of Simple Green or Crystal Simple Green can accelerate the corrosion process. Therefore, contact times of All-Purpose Simple Green and Crystal Simple Green with unprotected or unpainted aluminum surfaces should be kept as brief as the job will allow - never for more than 10 minutes. Large cleaning jobs should be conducted in smaller-area stages to achieve lower contact time. Rinsing after cleaning should always be extremely thorough - paying special attention to flush out cracks and crevices to remove all Simple Green/Crystal Simple Green residues. Unfinished, uncoated or unpainted aluminum cleaned with Simple Green products should receive some sort of protectant after cleaning to prevent oxidation.

[Stoneman]

Sounds easy enough then. Don't let it sit for more than a few minutes, literally...

Although, I've never done much more than just hose 'em down - the dirty stuff that is. What's the use, really? I mean clean & lube the chain & some other shit. But why wash 'em so thoroughly just to get 'em shitty again? I'll never fully understand that. Try as you might, you're not gonna convince me otherwise...

[Paul_E_D]

Well, for me, with a 125 2 stroke that needs a fair bit more maintenance than most, it's a royal pain to try cleaning the bike for a topend if I let it get really dirty. I open the motor and crud seems to come from EVERYWHERE to fall right inside. regular cleaning means I don't have to fight with it at topend time.

[Stoneman]

Well, for me, with a 125 2 stroke that needs a fair bit more maintenance than most, it's a royal pain to try cleaning the bike for a topend if I let it get really dirty. I open the motor and crud seems to come from EVERYWHERE to fall right inside. regular cleaning means I don't have to fight with it at topend time.

Okay, yeah - to work on it, I get that. Otherwise, just ain't for me...

[FTMS]

The other thing that helps is to spray everything down with WD-40 after you wash it. It will help keep some of the mud from sticking to everything when you ride. Just remember to cover your brakes.

[seth399]

Sounds easy enough then. Don't let it sit for more than a few minutes, literally...

Although, I've never done much more than just hose 'em down - the dirty stuff that is. What's the use, really? I mean clean & lube the chain & some other shit. But why wash 'em so thoroughly just to get 'em shitty again? I'll never fully understand that. Try as you might, you're not gonna convince me otherwise...

I dont' want my 09 looking like a 79

[typeone]

Okay, yeah - to work on it, I get that. Otherwise, just ain't for me...

yeah, mostly for maintenance, sucks working on a crusty bike.

The other thing that helps is to spray everything down with WD-40 after you wash it. It will help keep some of the mud from sticking to everything when you ride. Just remember to cover your brakes.

good point. i used to do that on my 125 after every wash. makes it easier to spray the motor down after a ride.

[Stoneman]

I dont' want my 09 looking like a 79

We're still talking dirty toys, right?

[seth399]

We're still talking dirty toys, right?

yes yes

[Stoneman]

I dont' want my 09 looking like a 79

We're still talking dirty toys, right?

yes yes

Yeah, see? Dirty toys I don't care that much. Whether it looks 20 years old or 2 years old is of no significance to me. I know what it is...

[6 Fingered Man]

So, we were sitting around catching our breath at Crow Hill the other day, and the Squirrel mentioned that his bike was getting cleaner as he rode more on the track.

Is he falling in lakes again?? That will do it every time..

[Paul_E_D]

Lol, No, but if you take your woods bike to the track, it comes out cleaner than is goes in.

[benVFR]

They have a new Simple Green that is just for this.. haven't tried it but it eliminates the Aluminum corrosion worries:

Simple Green Motorsports Formula

[ThisBitch]

I once took mushrooms and thought I had 18 hands. I, being the practical person that I am, said "Do you realize how productive I'm going to be with 18 hands?" Until I got some purple Kool Aid on them and then cried for 10 minutes thinking about how long it would take to wash all of those hands.

[Stoneman]

Mmmmmm....mushrooms...

[FTMS]

I once took mushrooms .....

and what did you take today?

[ThisBitch]

and what did you take today?

A multi-vitamin and some diznick. Breakfast of champions.

[typeone]

Mmmmmm....mushrooms...

ah, the good 'ol days

[R7]

Well there's more to the trick than just that
Simple Green is the best i've found to remove dirt and mud, when used with water and a 4" quality soft paint brush. Hose off gthe heavy stuff first and spray the simple green on the wet surface, let it sit for a minute or so, then take the paint brush and soak it with water, and "paint" away the dirt. Use a toothbrush for the tight areas For the greese areas and stained plastics, castrol superclean cuts that the best. I wouldn't let the castrol clean stay on any surface more than 15-20 seconds.
I think the reason this works so well for me, I clean my bike or quad after just about every ride...or every ride where it's very muddy.
I also spray the engine, frame and swingarm with WD-40, and ArmorAll the plastics...even the underside.
Why? I have a few reasons for it.
1st, most get stored in my basement..dirty bike/quad = dirtyfloor and lots more dust in the house. Even vacuming often, it's hard to control.
2nd, I'm very good on general maintenance with my bikes as well as keeping them clean. Work on a dirty bike, and you're sure to get dirt where you don't want it. Been there, done that, it happens and half the time you don't even know it.
3rd, Resale! If you plan on running it until it no longer runs and just giving it to a scrap yard when your done, no big deal. Keep it clean like mine, and you can use and abuse them as long as you like with minimal repairs, AND they still look good. And we all know looks is probably gonna make or break the deal if you want anything above trade in value in todays market.
4th and most important, I personally like to see them clean, it makes ME feel good

It sounds like a lot, but really, I can wash my bike, dry it, spray it down with WD and armorall the plastics in about 1/2 hour. The quads take a bit longer, maybe 45 minutes

[breakdirt916]

4th and most important, I personally like to see them clean, it makes ME feel good