How To Wash Your Frame & Major Components
In continuing with our series of Bike Care explainers, here’s the lowdown on how to clean your frame and major components.
You’ll need a soft brush or sponge, a lint-free cloth, bike-specific cleaner and a light pressure hose.
There’s really two ways to clean the frame and major components. If it’s been a muddy ride or the bike has a build-up of dirt then a wet clean is the way to go. Alternatively, if your bike is not very dirty — perhaps just a little dusty with no real build-up of grit — then a dry clean may be all that’s needed. We are using the Motul Frame Clean and Motul Dry Clean for the job and here’s the lowdown, (in video and written format) on the best way to clean your machine.
How to wash your frame and major components: Step-by-step guide
If it’s been a muddy ride or the bike has a build-up of dirt then a wet clean is the way to go.
When the bike isn’t too dirty, a dry clean might be all that’s needed.
Review: Motul Frame Clean & Dry Clean
Motul Frame Clean is formulated for cleaning all sensitive surface materials on modern bikes, including paint-coated carbon fiber, aluminum and plastics. It’s strong formulation is designed to ‘dissolve’ dirt away, with less brushing required.
Details: Motul Frame Clean
| Deep cleans frames and major components |
| Water-based formula |
| VOC Free |
| 100% recycled and recyclable bottle |
| Use on all bicycles and all surface types |
| ±R230 for a 500ml bottle | Learn MORE |
Motul Dry Clean is also a water-based formula, but is designed for a waterless clean. You’ll literally spray it directly onto the frame and wheels and then wipe it with a micro fiber cloth.
Details: Motul Dry Clean
| Water-less frame and component cleaner |
| Water-based formula |
| Silicone free |
| 100% recycled and recyclable bottle |
| Use on all bicycles |
| ±R200 for a 500ml bottle | Learn MORE |
Impressions
The Frame Clean is an impressively powerful cleaner. It does stick to the frame and do a lot of the cleaning itself and although there is less foam, there’s definitely less scrubbing required. It doesn’t have a very ‘chemical’ smell to it and dries without leaving any streaks. I’m on track to get about 15 bike washes out of one 500ml bottle.
With the Dry Clean, it’s a completely water-less wash process that is super quick to do. I like the waterproof protective film that is left behind after wiping the cleaner off and it’s very effective at cleaning mild dust and grime. This is a great product that gives your bike the “it’s just been serviced” look. //
| WORDS: Myles Kelsey | IMAGES & FOOTAGE: Max Sullivan |