what to use to clean oil/gas road grime from face shield?

[yechave]

New helmet states not to use paper towels, but, what is best to take on a road trip to clean the oil & gas residue from the shield (mostly a problem after driving in rain), mirrors and lights? I use Oreck glass cleaner at the house, or all natural hand soap. I know BMW dealer sells a very small bottle of some kind, had not given it much thought until the day after driving in the rain on the bike for the first time....in almost twenty years.

[xoomerite]

I use water in a spray bottle and microfiber towels.

[Tony_K]

Not all paper towels are created equal.

VIVA by Kimberly Clark are the best you can buy.

I use them daily in my business.

 

Follow manufactures direction for what product to clean shield with.

Trust me on this unless you like to spend money replacing them. Plexus destroyed my anti fog UV shield in 2 applications!

[eddd]

I use eye glass cleaner in a spray and a "flour sack" dish towel. These towels are a very soft cotton. They are even softer after they have been washed a few times.

[BluegrassPicker]

lemon pledge

[MrHondamatic]

I only clean mine after the day's ride is over. Wash cloth soaked in hot water, apply to shield and let it soak. I get 2-3 years out of a shield before it starts going bad.

 

Last fall I did get caught on the road with a nasty shield, so I broke down and used a well worn squeegee/sponge at the pumps. I was careful to use excessive amounts of water, then used a friend micro fiber cloth to dry it. It worked OK, but I still prefer to wait, if at all possible.

[MChick]

I keep a small can of Plexus and a microfiber towel in my tank bag. This stuff is great for the face shield, spot cleaning the bike, especially around the gas filler, wind screen, etc.

Just toss the towel in the washer and use it over and over.

[marcopolo]

Plexus and a microfibre cloth.

[TracerBullet]

plexus and microfiber

 

never a paper towel JMHO

[TrickLidz]

Glad you asked as I just mixed up some juice that works great. Stolen from California Scientic website (they make shields)

Cleaning your Windshield

We make our own cleaning fluid. When you buy a windshield from us, we give you a small spray bottle of cleaning fluid and a micro-fiber cleaning towel. Here's our "secret" washing fluid recipe, the result of testing about 25 different formulas:

 

Makes 1 quart = 1 liter windshield washing fluid 1/2 cup = 100cc ammonia (double this if you have a lot of bugs)

2 cups = 400cc alcohol

1.5 tsp = 8cc car wash detergent (don't substitute dish soap or laundry detergent)

2 cups = 500cc water

 

 

 

We recommend using only micro-fiber cleaning towels on your windshield.

 

 

** I made two quarts of this and keep it in spray bottles. I refilled a small WeeWilly bottle (Aerostitch) with it and keep it on the bike with a Microfiber towel. During my recent Adirondack trip I had lots of bugs on the windshield and helmet shield by the end of the day and this mix removed them easily the next morning. It works!!

Now, If I have time, and really want to get the windshield super clean with little effort, I clean it with a HOT bath towel.

1. Boil some water on the stove. I use the tea kettle.

2. Take a medium, soft bath towel, fold and put in a wash basin, etc.

3. When water comes to a boil. pour over towel and soak.

4. Put windshield in the down position and carefully (you may need protective gloves)drape hot towel over shield and headlight lens. If you do it just right it will stay there and not slip off or get the dash real wet.

5. Let it sit for about 30 secs. then remove.

You'll have to dry down the fender, bodywork, etc....BUT....I guarantee there won't be a bug gut left.

If I only want to do the windshield and not the headlight I take the windhield right off and lay the towel over it.

Sounds like a lot of work, but once you do it and have the stuff set aside, it's not that bad.

BTW: This is the only way to get any glass, car, home, etc...crystal clear...screw all the cleaners!! AND use a mircrofiber cloth only. ..no paper towels...

[AdventurePoser]

I keep a small can of Plexus and a microfiber towel in my tank bag. This stuff is great for the face shield, spot cleaning the bike, especially around the gas filler, wind screen, etc.

Just toss the towel in the washer and use it over and over.

 

+1 on this answer.

 

However, when I cannot find my little micro fiber cloth I use a baby diaper. You know, the old kind, not the disposible ones... They are cheap, easy to clean, and are super soft and absorbent...

 

Steve in So Cal

[AdventurePoser]

"... made two quarts of this and keep it in spray bottles. I refilled a small WeeWilly bottle (Aerostitch) with it and keep it on the bike with a Microfiber towel. During my recent Adirondack trip I had lots of bugs on the windshield and helmet shield by the end of the day and this mix removed them easily the next morning. It works!!

Now, If I have time, and really want to get the windshield super clean with little effort, I clean it with a HOT bath towel.

1. Boil some water on the stove. I use the tea kettle.

2. Take a medium, soft bath towel, fold and put in a wash basin, etc.

3. When water comes to a boil. pour over towel and soak.

4. Put windshield in the down position and carefully (you may need protective gloves)drape hot towel over shield and headlight lens. If you do it just right it will stay there and not slip off or get the dash real wet.

5. Let it sit for about 30 secs. then remove.

You'll have to dry down the fender, bodywork, etc....BUT....I guarantee there won't be a bug gut left.

If I only want to do the windshield and not the headlight I take the windhield right off and lay the towel over it.

Sounds like a lot of work, but once you do it and have the stuff set aside, it's not that bad.

BTW: This is the only way to get any glass, car, home, etc...crystal clear...screw all the cleaners!! AND use a mircrofiber cloth only. ..no paper towels...

 

Are you related to Phil?

 

Steve in So Cal

[Trinity]

FWIW, if you have a Costco store in the area, check out their deals on microfiber towels. The last time I picked some up, I think I got about 24 washcloth size towels for about $16 - $18.

 

For day to day use, I leave some of the towels full size and cut others up into halves or quarters to more easily stash in the tank bag and clean the face shield/windscreen.

[TrickLidz]

FWIW, if you have a Costco store in the area, check out their deals on microfiber towels. The last time I picked some up, I think I got about 24 washcloth size towels for about $16 - $18.

 

For day to day use, I leave some of the towels full size and cut others up into halves or quarters to more easily stash in the tank bag and clean the face shield/windscreen.

You may find that WalMart has a better deal on microfiber.

[TrickLidz]

"... made two quarts of this and keep it in spray bottles. I refilled a small WeeWilly bottle (Aerostitch) with it and keep it on the bike with a Microfiber towel. During my recent Adirondack trip I had lots of bugs on the windshield and helmet shield by the end of the day and this mix removed them easily the next morning. It works!!

Now, If I have time, and really want to get the windshield super clean with little effort, I clean it with a HOT bath towel.

1. Boil some water on the stove. I use the tea kettle.

2. Take a medium, soft bath towel, fold and put in a wash basin, etc.

3. When water comes to a boil. pour over towel and soak.

4. Put windshield in the down position and carefully (you may need protective gloves)drape hot towel over shield and headlight lens. If you do it just right it will stay there and not slip off or get the dash real wet.

5. Let it sit for about 30 secs. then remove.

You'll have to dry down the fender, bodywork, etc....BUT....I guarantee there won't be a bug gut left.

If I only want to do the windshield and not the headlight I take the windhield right off and lay the towel over it.

Sounds like a lot of work, but once you do it and have the stuff set aside, it's not that bad.

BTW: This is the only way to get any glass, car, home, etc...crystal clear...screw all the cleaners!! AND use a mircrofiber cloth only. ..no paper towels...

 

Are you related to Phil?

 

Steve in So Cal

Phil who????

BTW: My name is Steve also, so be careful....

[litigator]

Go to bikecleaner.com and order a BOM kit. The little bottle and micro towel are great for the tank bag, and the products are great for overall waterless cleaning and metal polishing. I have no connection with the company. Just like the stuff.