White Frame Woes

[Red Tornado]

Wondering if anyone else has experienced as much difficulty as I have keeping white bikes clean. Only owned two, a Giant mountain bike many years ago and currently a Masi GC. I try to do a quick wipe-down after a ride and usually do a thorough cleaning every 6 weeks or so on my 3 bikes I ride currently. Never had issues keeping colored frames clean, could always wipe just about anything off with a wet rag or maybe with a little dish detergent added. Keeping the Masi clean has been an exercise in frustration for me, and as I think about it, the Giant MTB wasn't any better. Seems like the dirt just gets wiped around (vs. wiped off) on these white frames and at times won't come off at all. Realize white vs. other colors is going to show dirt a little more, but never figured it would be nearly this bad. Same goes for white cable housings.
Love the bike, hate the high maintenance cleaning required. Anyone else agree/disagree?

[thirdgenbird]

Get yourself a high end automotive wax. I do this before every build and then use a good quick detailer every few months. It makes things easy to clean.

[JasonF]

Thirdgenbird is spot-on. For my white Spectrum I use a two-punch combo that auto enthusiasts swear by: Klasse All-In-One followed by some Collinite 845. The combo lasts pretty much a full season and only simple wipe downs are needed to keep the frame in nice shape.

[redir]

SOmething like Mirror glaze might work too as it's a polish. I have a white mountain bike and a white cross bike but it doesn't bother me.

[cnighbor1]

Just don't look down when riding!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PS I just wash it with mild dish washing soap. rinse using a garden watering can. Wait till it dry and than apply a good auto wax stay clean for a long time
When I wipe down I just a chamois

[HenryA]

I like the various "nano technology" wax sprays. Spray on rag, wipe on clean bike. Makes it lots easier to wash later.

But mostly my bike is kinda dirty. Its not the end of the world. More fun to ride than clean.

[Jack Crank]

Ain't nothin' prettier than a dirtied up white bike. Get it nasty and keep the chain clean.

[dave thompson]

I love my white bikes (I've had more than a few) and find they're very easy to keep clean. As others have said, any good automotive wax, assuming that you have good paint, and a simple wipe down with a piece of old toweling or t-shirt works for me. Got it wet and dirty, damp towel and then a clean one.

[54ny77]

white bikes are slimming. ;)

[thirdgenbird]

Don't use dish soap on a waxed bike either. It can strip the wax right off. Use an automotive soap, they are cheap.

Before every build, I use green works (not simple green) to clean off the frame and then I apply the wax to the bare frame. Cleaning a built bike is usually done with clean water and the I follow up with quick detailer. If the bike is real dirty, I use automotive soap to clean it.

[miguel]

white bike owner here
clearcoat has spiderwebbed, cables have rubbed, grime has been applied

nbd
dgaf
atmo

[texbike]

The biggest issue with my white bike is that it just doesn't go fast enough!

Maybe if it was red...:rolleyes:

Texbike

[MattTuck]

Ain't nothin' prettier than a dirtied up white bike. Get it nasty and keep the chain clean.

amen brother!

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-HO1C0k-ORJ0/UajS_aTR3hI/AAAAAAAAERs/Li5DRTiJ8sU/w856-h642-no/IMG_1480.JPG

[11.4]

The tip I got, and have appreciated over the years, was to get this:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0011E06XA/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_8?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

It's expensive but it's wonderful. Then just use Armorall car wash cleaner (one cap in a half pail of warm water) for regular cleaning. It stays pristine forever.

Of course perhaps what needs to be said is that you can't be perspiring on your bike, pouring electrolyte solution on it, sitting on the top tube with slobber-up bibs, touching the frame without using those towelettes that you carry in your jersey pocket, or riding through dirt or rain without dodging it adequately. Seriously, what do you think that bike is there for? To get dirty? God, somebody revoke his bike ownership permit and get him a Trek.

[Jaq]

The biggest issue with my white bike is that it just doesn't go fast enough!

Maybe if it was red...:rolleyes:

Texbike

My white bike goes too fast for dirt to stick.

[velotrack]

My god, I feel you on the white housing. Now that stuff gets gross and dirty, and somehow cleans way worse than frames and even tape.

:confused:

[jmoore]

amen brother!

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-HO1C0k-ORJ0/UajS_aTR3hI/AAAAAAAAERs/Li5DRTiJ8sU/w856-h642-no/IMG_1480.JPG

amen x2

https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/t1.0-9/1779814_10203309979893301_835457605_n.jpg

[jr59]

amen x2

https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/t1.0-9/1779814_10203309979893301_835457605_n.jpg


I'm feeling really bad for you.

Send those 2 here for proper cleaning and I'll get them back to you as soon as I'm done with them.( I clean bikes like these VERY slowly) :banana:

[Red Tornado]

Thanks for the input. I'll definetly have to try one of these suggestions.
Unfortunately, I can't cope with a filthy bike. A little dirt/grime/etc. is manageable but filthy is crossing the line for me. Prob OCD or something like that.....
By the way, this was my first post. Have followed the forum for a while and just recently joined. Ya'll seem like a decent bunch.