How to properly wash a bicycle at home, methods and step-by-step instructions
People often wonder how to wash their bike. Cleaning procedures have many characteristics. Thus, the vehicle has parts that absolutely must not receive water. Otherwise, these items may fail. Choosing the right bike cleaner is important. Various formulations can be found on sale today.
Choose the best place to wash
To wash your bike, it is recommended to choose the right location for this procedure.
courtyard of the private house
It is better to wash your bike in the yard of a private house. In this case, you can not be afraid to stain something. For the procedure, it is permissible to use a hose or a bucket of water. If there is a special sink, it is allowed to use it too. However, in this case, certain rules must be taken into account.
Area near the garage
An equally good option would be to use the site near the garage. If you have enough space, you can easily wash your bike.
Outside
You can also wash your bike outside - near a lake or river. Usually such a need arises during a hike. You can also stop after the muddy part of the road. Dirt and dust can be washed off near the pond. It is especially important to clean the transmission, frame and wheels. At the same time, you should not completely immerse the bike in water - just put the wheels there.
Trying to wash your bike with sea water is strongly discouraged. Once dry, the salt will act as an abrasive. As a result, the risk of corrosion increases significantly. If seawater has been used to remove major contaminants, it is worth thoroughly wiping down the vehicle. For this, soft water is used, which will remove the remaining salt.
In the flat
Often the bike has to be washed in the apartment or on the stairs. This option is considered rather inconvenient. But in the absence of other sites, it must be resorted to. In this case, you need to be extremely careful and immediately clean up after yourself.
At the car wash
It is also allowed to wash your bike in a car wash. This service can hardly be called generalized, but it is sometimes encountered. In this case, it is important to follow certain rules.
Step-by-step washing instructions
It is recommended to start washing the bike from top to bottom. In this case, the shower should wash off the layer of dust and dirt. It is recommended to remove the wheels and clean them. It is also allowed to leave the wheels. This will help clean all parts of the bike at once.In general, dirt on the wheels does not affect the operation of the bicycle. The only exception is a stuck swamp that completely covers the tread.
All parts of the bike should be coated with car shampoo or other detergent. After which, it is worth waiting for some time. During this time, the composition will have time to act.
Cleaning certain parts of the vehicle is also important. This procedure has certain features.
Removing dirt from trays and trays
It's not uncommon for grass and dirt to get stuck in the sprockets. Use a flathead screwdriver to clean these items. The procedure should be carried out as carefully as possible. Then it is recommended to clean with a hard brush. It is also allowed to use a degreaser. Such a product will help to achieve perfect cleanliness.
Washing of switching rollers
Use a regular damp cloth to wipe all the dirt off the switches. In this case, it is forbidden to use abrasive substances.
Clean and wash the bicycle chain
To clean the chain, it is allowed to use all available means - brushes and detergents. To simplify the task, it is allowed to use a special typewriter. If you want to clean the chain properly, you should brush it with a toothbrush. A large amount of dust and dirt adheres to the oil of this element. A degreasing composition will help to cope with it.
For this, it is allowed to use white spirit or gasoline. Acetone is an equally good option. After the substance evaporates, the chain must be wiped with a dry cloth.
Work with brake discs and rims
Parts such as rims and spokes should be washed with a low pressure water jet and then wiped with a dry cloth.To clean the brake mechanism, a number of sequential steps should be performed. First, it is recommended to remove and wipe the pads. Use a clean, damp sponge to remove dirt from the pressure mechanism. Then wipe the cables. Then let all the mechanisms dry.
How to properly wash the frame
It is allowed to wash the frame by hand or in the shower. If you need to get rid of solid dirt, you should use the hard part of the sponge. Use a soft towel to remove streaks and stains. Finally, it is recommended to wipe the entire surface dry with a cloth.
How to Wipe a Saddle
The saddle is easy to clean. To do this, wipe it with a damp cloth. Then wipe.
Wipe everything dry
After all cleaning procedures, it is worth wiping the bike with a dry cloth. Then let the vehicle dry thoroughly. It usually takes 2.5 hours.
Dry cleaning
Washing your bike is considered a thorough procedure. If there is no urgent need, it is permissible to use the dry method. To do this, you need to purchase special compounds for cleaning the bike. They are sold in specialized stores.
In the composition of such products there are no aggressive components with abrasive substances. Therefore, they have a soft effect on the coating of the case. In addition to cleaning, these products have a protective effect and are able to restore the elements of the bicycle.
Aerosol degreasers
Using a degreaser, old layers can be removed from thin areas.
Special foam
There are special detergents for bicycles. These include Pro-clean, Pedro's.They help to cope not only with dirt, but also with oil or bitumen stains.
Degreasers
The use of a specialized degreaser makes it possible to clean the chain and the other lubricated elements. It is better to give preference to the least aggressive substance.
Dry shower
To make a dry shower, you need enough rags. They are necessary for lubrication, cleaning and wiping of all parts.
You will also need brushes. They are needed to thoroughly clean hard-to-reach areas that cannot be rinsed with water.To do this, it is recommended to arm yourself with brushes of different sizes and shapes. Unnecessary toothbrushes are a great option.
Karcher app for washing a bike
This is a fairly effective device that significantly speeds up cleaning the bike from dirt. In addition, there are certain advantages and disadvantages to using Karcher. This device is characterized by a very powerful water jet. Therefore, it is important to maintain a safe distance between the hose and the bicycle. In any case, there is a risk of the jet hitting the rings. This causes their mechanical damage and the ingress of water inside.
Therefore, it is recommended to avoid washing the rings. Also, do not spray water on the cart. Sometimes the frame paint is damaged by the water jet. This usually happens with a poor quality coating, as it has to withstand more severe shocks. It is undesirable to use Karcher to clean stars. They can bend easily. In addition, there is a risk of moisture getting into the rear hub.
Features of washing in winter
In winter, the bike should be washed more often than in summer.People who like to ride in snowy weather should clean the vehicle every time they walk. Before entering a warm apartment, the bike should be kept in a cool room for 5-10 minutes. During this time, it is worth cleaning it from adhering snow and dirt. It is strictly forbidden to leave them. When exposed to heat, snow and ice begin to melt. Liquid will enter the mechanism and damage the device.
When riding carefully in the park, just wipe down the bike with a dry cloth. It is allowed to do so in the absence of salty mud on the vehicle. After riding on asphalt, which has been sprinkled with reagents, it is better to wash the bike with car shampoo. It is also allowed to use another liquid detergent.
After washing, it is strictly forbidden to take the bike out in the cold. Do not clean before riding. Water can freeze inside the mechanisms and damage them. It is also allowed to dry the bike with a hair dryer or wipe it with a towel. After cleaning the device, it is recommended to lubricate the chain and components.
What parts should not get water
The bearings are considered the most vulnerable point of the bike. They are found in the bottom bracket, bushings and steering column. There is also a risk of water entering the plug through the anthers. When carrying out cleaning procedures, it is important to ensure that this does not occur.
Before washing the vehicle, it is recommended to remove all removable elements, bags, lights, speedometer from the bike. It is imperative to remove the on-board computer. All of these parts are affected by exposure to water. If washing is acceptable, they should be cleaned separately.
Rules of maintenance and operation
In order for the bicycle to serve as long as possible, it is recommended to take care of it:
- maintain undercarriage cleanliness;
- lubricate the chain, switches, stars and cassette in time;
- inflate tires.
Washing bicycles has certain characteristics. To achieve success in this matter and not damage the mechanisms, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the key rules of cleaning and driving a vehicle.