Modern Vespa

I've read a number of posts re: cleaning your scooter. Other then NOT using dish soap .. is there a general consensus as to which products have worked out best ? Both something for quick wipe-down and for an overall
cleaning/polishing? I've seen posts recommending everything from inexpensive lemon pledge to more $$$ Italian Wax.
I'm just wondering if anyone's done a general tally to see which product is considered to be the best by the majority of scooterists?
I have some chamois and lint free towels that I've used to mop up some water that's collected on foot rest. Even though I keep scooter covered, due to the storms we've had lately, the scooter is looking a little spotty.
I have a sample "car wash" cleaner I was given and told it'd be fine for scoters as well, but after reading the ingredients - I'm not so sure.

I not planning on doing anything different than any other of my vehicles. I'll used regular car wash stuff for when she's really dirty and Meguiars QuickShine for keeping her looking good.

Every once in a while I wax with a good quality wax (w/o abrasives). As far as waxing goes, I like Collinite Insulator Wax. It goes on easy, comes off easy, since there are no abrasives the black plastic pieces stay black, and lasts a long time.

The problem with dish soap is it's very strong and strips the wax off. You can use it, but wax the bike afterwards.

meguirs quik detail on everything, mirrors, plastics and body. Just spray the entire body down one area at a time. I use this daily, with microfiber clothes, after each ride. I have also been using eagle one Nano wax as my latest miracle product. Not their quick wax or wax as you dry but NANO WAX. Lit does not dry white so you can get it in all the nooks and cracks that yu normally couldn't wax. Its a phenomenal product with great results...and its easy. If setting is made easy, you do it more.

Above all......don't put armor all on your seat.

It will make it slippery as "heck", and you'll be sliding all around.

Read it on "girlbike".com.


Happy Cleaning...

I use a swiffer duster on mine because it gets a bit dusty at times in the garage. It works surprisingly well and I use it to dust off the engine, too. It fits into all the little nooks and under all the wires. My engine looks as spotless as the rest of my scooter.

When I wash it, I use as little water as possible and a little bit of whatever car wash solution we have around. I don't have a specific brand because I can't tell the difference other than some of them smell better than others. I rinse gently without letting any water soak the switches or go into the horn cover, etc. (Obviously, my scooter has never seen rain). I wax it regularly. And I keep it in the garage, covered with a sheet if I am not going to be using it for a few days (rainy season).

I wouldn't care if a bomb went off in my house (it usually looks like it did), but I like my scooter to look pretty and shiny.

[quote="bluebuddha"]Above all......don't put armor all on your seat.

It will make it slippery as "heck", and you'll be sliding all around.


Youch ! I don't think I ever would have thought of Amor All on the seat.

OK .. it seems from what I've seen from other posts and these replies is that the car wash solutions you can buy are OK & Meguirs seems to be mentioned the most for taking care of your scooter.
Another query re: waxing it. Do you all do it by hand or do you put it on then buff it in w/ electric buffer (my husband has one he's used on the car). If so - why one over another - personal choice or what?

seriously--daily?

I use Meguiar's Quick Detailer. Works amazing. Available at Pep Boys and in Canada at Canadian Tire

me too

If it is really dirty, I'll wash it. More often, I give it a cleaning with Pledge (the old way) or Plexis (the new way).

I use a pump spray of waterless car wash and a soft towel on everything but the windscreen 3 or 4 times a week, with a spray detailer afterwards and plexiglass cleaner buffed with toilet paper on the windscreen. (Paper towels can contain wood fibers that will scratch plexi). Every few months I use a good carnauba wax to keep the finish and chrome protected. Art

+1..........and then i take her upstairs in the Elevator to my 4th floor Condo .........Unfortunately im not kidding .............i know, my neighbors don't get it either .....................But i did stay at a Holiday Inn last night

godoggo ~

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Me too!!!!

well my scoot is going to look like crap in a couple of years--i'd better get on board with the cleaning thing, i need the easy approach--kinda like the Pledge idea