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CVO Technical => Cleaning/Detailing => Topic started by: CJB2011 on January 25, 2016, 11:10:04 PM

Title: Cleaning cylinders
Post by: CJB2011 on January 25, 2016, 11:10:04 PM
Does anyone know what I could use to get road grime off the cylinders. Mine are starting to have white corroded places on them I live in Fl. and no where near salt water. 
Title: Re: Cleaning cylinders
Post by: Twolanerider on January 26, 2016, 08:51:33 PM
I like Pig Spit on the engines.  Does a generally good job with almost no effort in use.

http://www.amazon.com/Pig-Spit-PSO-Black-Original/dp/B000VJR3GO
Title: Re: Cleaning cylinders
Post by: CVODON on January 26, 2016, 10:52:39 PM
I use soap and water, buy the little foam paint brushes at Big Lots for a dollar a pack. Takes a couple everytime I wash the bike because they tear but I also live in Florida and have never had a problem between fins. I do live close to water but have no  corrosion.
I have never used a harsh product such as Pig Spit or S100 on the powder coat or bare edges of the fins and mine look like new.
Title: Re: Cleaning cylinders
Post by: CJB2011 on January 27, 2016, 10:02:10 AM
Thanks for the info.
Title: Re: Cleaning cylinders
Post by: 08glide on January 27, 2016, 11:15:45 AM
on the opposite side of CVODON, I wet everything down then spray it with s100, then rinse very thorough. I've also used a tire brush with the S100 before rinsing. you don't want the S100 to dry. now you're confused!
Title: Re: Cleaning cylinders
Post by: mark on January 27, 2016, 12:03:27 PM
I had a Dyna Superglide that had this issue.  I tried a multitude of metal polishes - from course to fine.  Polish will make the edges of the fin smooth, but the discoloration remains.  I even tried a Dremel with a polishing bob, with no luck.  Without a pic of your engine, I'm speculating it's the same thing (oxidation/corrosion), which tends to increases with age.  Keeping the bike clean, indoors, and away from chemicals are the best inhibitors.  You also see this happen to Harley aluminum forks that are clear-coated (like on non-CVO bikes).  Once the clear-coat is perforated, as with a stone chip, the aluminum is exposed to the elements and you see the oxidation starting to form beneath the clear-coat.
Title: Re: Cleaning cylinders
Post by: CJB2011 on January 27, 2016, 06:31:21 PM
I had a Dyna Superglide that had this issue.  I tried a multitude of metal polishes - from course to fine.  Polish will make the edges of the fin smooth, but the discoloration remains.  I even tried a Dremel with a polishing bob, with no luck.  Without a pic of your engine, I'm speculating it's the same thing (oxidation/corrosion), which tends to increases with age.  Keeping the bike clean, indoors, and away from chemicals are the best inhibitors.  You also see this happen to Harley aluminum forks that are clear-coated (like on non-CVO bikes).  Once the clear-coat is perforated, as with a stone chip, the aluminum is exposed to the elements and you see the oxidation starting to form beneath the clear-coat.
The oxidation/corrosion is what i was talking about. It looks like I rode it in salt but I don't live anywhere near the salt water. I'm going to use my power washer on it next week with soap. Hope this will work.
Title: Re: Cleaning cylinders
Post by: mark on January 27, 2016, 07:30:59 PM
Hey, settle down on the power washer.  The pressure washer will not remove it, and may make matters worse.  If your engine is powder coated,  a pressure washer has enough force to blow off pieces of the powder coating.  I accidently blew off a chunk of clear coat on a truck tying to get off love bugs. 
Title: Re: Cleaning cylinders
Post by: Chains on January 27, 2016, 08:48:33 PM
I still stuck by Scrubbing Bubbles. Been using it for years on my motor.
Title: Re: Cleaning cylinders
Post by: CVODON on January 27, 2016, 09:34:44 PM
Green can or yellow can scrubbing bubbles? The yellow stuff has chlorine, I promise that would be a disaster.
Title: Re: Cleaning cylinders
Post by: Chains on January 27, 2016, 10:12:10 PM
Green can or yellow can scrubbing bubbles? The yellow stuff has chlorine, I promise that would be a disaster.

Green can.
Title: Re: Cleaning cylinders
Post by: CJB2011 on January 28, 2016, 10:11:09 AM
Green can.

So you say the green can works?? I have it in my bathroom. Do I stay away from the power washer??
Title: Re: Cleaning cylinders
Post by: CJB2011 on January 28, 2016, 10:12:41 AM
Hey, settle down on the power washer.  The pressure washer will not remove it, and may make matters worse.  If your engine is powder coated,  a pressure washer has enough force to blow off pieces of the powder coating.  I accidently blew off a chunk of clear coat on a truck tying to get off love bugs.

What would you suggest to use. Above is a suggestion for scrubbing bubbles.
Title: Re: Cleaning cylinders
Post by: mark on January 28, 2016, 10:22:58 AM
The power washer isn't going to remove oxidation and if you blow off a chunk of powder coating, you'll be tiring to fix that too. 
Title: Re: Cleaning cylinders
Post by: Chains on January 28, 2016, 12:23:17 PM
So you say the green can works?? I have it in my bathroom. Do I stay away from the power washer??

Works for me,  Do Not Use Power Washer.  Use a soft bristle brush by hand
Title: Re: Cleaning cylinders
Post by: CJB2011 on January 28, 2016, 05:39:46 PM
Works for me,  Do Not Use Power Washer.  Use a soft bristle brush by hand

I'll try anything once. Thanks
Title: Re: Cleaning cylinders
Post by: CJB2011 on January 28, 2016, 05:40:40 PM
The power washer isn't going to remove oxidation and if you blow off a chunk of powder coating, you'll be tiring to fix that too.

Thanks. I'll stay away for the washer.
Title: Re: Cleaning cylinders
Post by: porthole on January 30, 2016, 11:10:01 AM
Do not use oven cleaner.
Title: Re: Cleaning cylinders
Post by: CJB2011 on January 30, 2016, 05:30:42 PM
Do not use oven cleaner.

No. I think they are talking about the kind used in the bathroom
Title: Re: Cleaning cylinders
Post by: porthole on January 31, 2016, 08:39:39 AM
No. I think they are talking about the kind used in the bathroom

I know what they are talking about.

There has been at least one person on this forum that tried oven cleaner.
It cleaned the cylinders alright, right down to bare metal, cases too.
Title: Re: Cleaning cylinders
Post by: SHRADER on January 31, 2016, 09:10:25 AM
I know what they are talking about.

There has been at least one person on this forum that tried oven cleaner.
It cleaned the cylinders alright, right down to bare metal, cases too.

LOL. ol Hogasm, gone but not forgotten.
Title: Re: Cleaning cylinders
Post by: Chains on February 06, 2016, 10:09:54 AM
Shader is right. Never spray oven cleaner on your bike. I use it to strip powder coat off small parts. It is a very caustic solution.