Dont laugh too hard- Water spots

[hifiman]

I am an admitted neat freak when it comes to my Harley. I am the type that avoids rain and will clean bugs off as soon as my ride is over. Anyway I am leaving for a vacation tomorrow morning and decided I would take the bike to work on this great sunny day. It rained on it and now has nice road grime and water spots all over the chrome and paint. I know they are meant to get wet. I dont have time for detailing it right now and wont until my return in 7 days. Any risk of perm water spots or other corrosion from just letting it sit filthy for a few days? Just need to go on vacation without worry.
Go ahead bashers and give me what for. I dont care but knowing it will be fine and wash back to showroom condition will make my trip better. Thanks

[Shockwave]

You ask a legitimate question about letting it sit dirty. I don't really know but I'd like to know what happens to one that sits a week while clean. I ride every day regardless of the weather so it stays dirty.lol

Really, I'd like to know the answer to your question.

[Dave63]

Just ride it.........

[fxr4mikey]

from reading your post..... your bike is in eggzlent condition .... therefore I deduce that your clear coat is totally intact

that being the stituation, it will NOT hurt your bike to ride it dirty for a week.

It will wash up just like new when you get home ......

here's mine, 10 years old now, and still shining ..... and I ride it in the rain, more than I care to .... but if you want to take vacations on your bike, it's gonna get wet, and ridden dirty ....

just clean it up when you get home ... a good detailing, and wax job, it'll stay that way ....

mine is the Candy Tangerine one D

[hifiman]

Originally Posted by fxr4mikey

from reading your post..... your bike is in eggzlent condition .... therefore I deduce that your clear coat is totally intact

that being the stituation, it will NOT hurt your bike to ride it dirty for a week.

It will wash up just like new when you get home ......

here's mine, 10 years old now, and still shining ..... and I ride it in the rain, more than I care to .... but if you want to take vacations on your bike, it's gonna get wet, and ridden dirty ....

just clean it up when you get home ... a good detailing, and wax job, it'll stay that way ....

mine is the Candy Tangerine one D

Now that makes me feel better. Nice bikes in my kind of condition too. Yes mine is an 09 with and still new to me. I try to keep it that way too. If my ride is in the same condition as your in 10 yrs I cant ask for more. So now I will go have a good time and bath that sucker clean when I get back.

[Jeffytune]

The key to avoid water spotting is to keep it waxed. I use Turtle wax ice, very easy to use. I wax mine like 3-4 times a year, and being I live in the Pacific Northwest, riding in the rain is a way of life for us. My bike is two years old now, and I am doing the 15K service on her tomorrow.
So, yes I ride it in the rain, but most people can't tell I do.

I also wipe the bike down when i get home with a micro fiber cloth, not a rub down mind you, just enough to get the big parts dry.
Again, wash it once a week and wax and plish it, and you will be just fine.

[emxgarcia]

Wow impressive FXRs, gorgeous ride not overdone.

[hifiman]

I always keep not only the paint but chrome waxed. I also used air from my compressor to blow it dry. I will give it a full wash upon my return as I do not want to wipe it down dirty with grime all over it. Then we are talking scratches instead of water spots. Im just now use to leaving it dirty. The local dealers leave their bikes in the rain all the time and I doupt they wash them all the time and every day.

[Dave63]

Originally Posted by emxgarcia

Wow impressive FXRs, gorgeous ride not overdone.

Ditto.....

[histy]

used to be a valet for Rolls Royce Bentley etc.If u have a good polish coat on the water should bead up on yr paint-if it don't it needs a polish.Modern polishes should give protection against road grime and the odd petrol spill.Its ok to leave the bike dirty til u get home.
U are right to deal with bug splats asap- use paper or other towel soaked in water and let it sit to soften em.Birddoo and treesap are something to be avoided-get rid of bird doo soon as u see it, it can be really corrosive.
Agree with poster on keeping chrome waxed too.
The main thing to avoid is the temptation to wipe a bike down without properley washing it down first so unless u can do a proper job -best leave it dirty til u get home.
I use Autoglym (british-may not be available in states) or harleys own products, but good ol turtlewax is good too.
If u can get it over there try Autoglym Extra Gloss Protection-gives a tougher coat over the polish coat and further resists attack.HDs paint finish is amongst the best-ditto chrome.Don't use washing up liquid or cheapo shampoos though.Have a good trip.

[TRazzo]

I too am a clean freak. Went to dinner with some buddies to discuss our upcoming trip to Yellowstone, the sprinklers turned on while we were in eating - and soaked the bikes, helmets, gloves, etc. Anyway, didn't get a chance to wash it up for a week and all the spots came right off, good as new. Enjoy your trip!

[fxr4mikey]

Originally Posted by Jeffytune

The key to avoid water spotting is to keep it waxed. I use Turtle wax ice, very easy to use. I wax mine like 3-4 times a year, and being I live in the Pacific Northwest, riding in the rain is a way of life for us. My bike is two years old now, and I am doing the 15K service on her tomorrow.
So, yes I ride it in the rain, but most people can't tell I do.

I also wipe the bike down when i get home with a micro fiber cloth, not a rub down mind you, just enough to get the big parts dry.
Again, wash it once a week and wax and plish it, and you will be just fine.

Man yur bike is LOOKIN GOOD !!!!!!!

Originally Posted by emxgarcia

Wow impressive FXRs, gorgeous ride not overdone.

Thanks !!

Originally Posted by Dave63

Ditto.....

Thank you !!

[n7ki]

I had problems getting water spots off my bike until I used a mild solution of vinegar and distilled water.

[fxr4mikey]

Originally Posted by n7ki

I had problems getting water spots off my bike until I used a mild solution of vinegar and distilled water.

you might need to get a couple of good coats of good wax on there .... I NEVER have problems with water spots ...

I use S100 wax, been using it for 10 years. I'm a big fan of this product. Goes on easy, comes off easy, can be applied in the sun, will not turn rubber or plastic parts white, and puts up and EXCELLENT protection barrier.

Try it, I'm sure you'll like it, and you won't need any solution to remove water spots .... you won't even have water spots !!

[Tri-Boomer]

rubbing alcohol or
Mr. Clean AutoDry Car Wash System Starter Kit