Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Steam cleaning?

My wife is thinking of buying a steam cleaner from Sears. Looks to me, though, that it might be useful for cleaning the bike. The question is; can you use steam cleaning safely and if so, what bits are cleaned better by steam than hot water, soap, and elbow grease?

Siggy

If I were you, Sig, I would just use the steamcleaner for under the engine and maybe the wire rims. Stay away from the wiring. -PES

I say stick to cleaning carpets and drapes with it, stay away from the bike.

I wouldn't use it on the bike.

Not a good idea.
I worked for Xerox years ago repairing their large copiers. The old machines were sent out to be steam cleaned and refurbished. When we got them back from the refurbishing facility, every solinoid, clutch, bearing, switch and relay would have to be checked and about 60% replaced before the machines were shipped out. I would say that steam penetrates many places you don't want it to go. You have no idea how it will effect you electronics, rubber and bearings.

Consensus seems to be that I may do more harm than good. Sigh. I love the bike, but cleaning the spokes is almost impossible: to keep that "showroom shine" would have me spending more time cleaning than riding, which defeats the purpose.

Any tips on how to get/keep her clean and shiny without 2 hours of trying to get my fingers between the spokes and, with the rear end, avoiding the chain? Guess I'm just a lousy cleaner

Siggy

Wow,
thanks for posting that question and the answers. I don't have a steam cleaner, but I'm the kind of guy who would try something that seems better and easier then run into problems later. A little reminder to me to keep it simple, just soap and water.
jeff

Sigmund, the answer to your spoke cleaning dillema is easy... Get some speedmaster wheels and your problem is solved! Better yet, forget keeping your bike clean and just ride it.

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Any tips on how to get/keep her clean and shiny without 2 hours of trying to get my fingers between the spokes and, with the rear end, avoiding the chain? Guess I'm just a lousy cleaner

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S100 total cycle cleaner. Works great, just follow the directions.
About the steam cleaner, is it a steam cleaner or a pressure washer? I use a pressure washer on mine all the time, just use the delicate tip and stay a couple of feet away

Sig,
I'm gonna echo a lot of what's been said, but first, I have yet to see any product sold by a department store that actually produces steam... hot water or a hot mist is more like it....
If you clean your wheels often, a spray on wheel cleaner is adequate, I use Turtle Wax 2001 from the local auto parts, but there are others out there as well. Spray it on and let it work a few minutes then hose it off. You can also buy spoke brushes at the local auto parts as well, which make the job easier when you have some serious gunk build up.
A pressure washer is ok as well, but you have to be carefull where you aim it, and as was mentioned, how close you get. A good pressure washer can remove weakened paint or chrome and damage electrical parts. I'd stick with a garden hose....

No pressurized liquids on the bike! I use Meguiar's Quik Detailer, then for those areas that don't wipe clean, I'll use kerosene followed up with Meguiar's Quik Detailer again. For the major grease areas, solent green, er simply green works wonders and it safe for paint.

Good idea Moe! I used Simple Green the other day for my spokes and rim and it works great, especially getting that old chain lube off the wheel.

-PES

How bout steam cleaning stand alone parts? Like say you remove the sprocket cover to change the sprocket, can you take it out in the driveway and give it a shot of steam? Or like when I take my front wheel off? I don't HAVE a steam cleaner, but figured the question should be asked...

hi Benny,

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How bout steam cleaning stand alone parts?

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Knock yourself out! When the parts are not on the bike, then the issues of water don't arise. However, why hassle with a steam cleaner/pressure cleaner? Just spray the parts with some degreaser and rinse. Where you would like to use the pressure cleaner is behind the sprocket cover. Lots of fins and such. Yet this is also one of those areas where you shouldn't use it! A good parts cleaning brush, some kerosene and a brew or two will tackle those areas.

Spoked wheels will take in water, especially if pressure cleaners are used. Not much water but enough to corrode the threaded spoke ends a bit and moisten the inside of the rim under the rim strip. Next time you have a tire changed, ask to look at the rim before they wire brush off the rust under the rim strip.