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  1. #1
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    Mar 2011
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    Who Uses Furniture Polish to Shine Bike?

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    One of the larger LBS in my area says they regularly used "Pledge" furniture polish to shine up their bikes in the store and encourages us to do the same. I haven't bought any yet. I have a steel bike. Anyone use it?
    "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls & looks like work" - Thomas Edison

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2002
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    On my bike
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    2,505
    I would think it might attract dirt, since it leaves a film. I ride a steel bike & I use simple green for the greasy parts & diluted car wash for the rest.
    To train a dog, you must be more interesting than dirt.

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  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
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    1,057
    Yep...Lemon Pledge renews the finish and puts a protective layer of wax down. Simple and effective....oh, and also recommended by Georgina Terry.

    When I travel with the bike, I carry Pledge Wipes as a simple clean up.

    End of season, the bike gets a paste wax shine in her annual "spa treatment" at the bike shop. This seals and protects the finish.
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  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
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    Uncanny Valley
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    It's popular for motorcycles too.

    Personally, I'd rather give it a real wash and wax it with automotive wax. But it's nice for a quick touch-up at an event or whatever.

    Any wax will repel dirt and protect the finish - I usually wax my frame once or twice a year.
    Speed comes from what you put behind you. - Judi Ketteler

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Tucson, AZ
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    4,632
    Quote Originally Posted by Velocivixen View Post
    One of the larger LBS in my area says they regularly used "Pledge" furniture polish to shine up their bikes in the store and encourages us to do the same. I haven't bought any yet. I have a steel bike. Anyone use it?
    Me! DBF does too.

    Speaking of which, I now know what I'm doing tomorrow...
    At least I don't leave slime trails.
    http://wholecog.wordpress.com/

    2009 Giant Avail 3 |Specialized Jett 143

    2013 Charge Filter Apex| Specialized Jett 143
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  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Portland Metro Area
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    859
    So to those who use Pledge, do you spray it on a rag and wipe onto the bike or do you spray on to the frame itself then use the rag to wipe off. I'm getting all excited about the prospect of having to go buy some Lemon Pledge.
    "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls & looks like work" - Thomas Edison

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Tucson, AZ
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    4,632
    Quote Originally Posted by Velocivixen View Post
    So to those who use Pledge, do you spray it on a rag and wipe onto the bike or do you spray on to the frame itself then use the rag to wipe off. I'm getting all excited about the prospect of having to go buy some Lemon Pledge.
    That's funny. Cycling does strange things to your brain, doesn't it?

    Both. I usually spray it onto a rag, but if there's a really stubborn spot (like, oh...the duct tape adhesive from left from the makeshift computer attachment so I could use it on the trainer ) I spray it on the spot directly and let it sit for a bit while I clean most of the rest of the bike.
    At least I don't leave slime trails.
    http://wholecog.wordpress.com/

    2009 Giant Avail 3 |Specialized Jett 143

    2013 Charge Filter Apex| Specialized Jett 143
    1996(?) Giant Iguana 630|Specialized Riva


    Saving for the next one...

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Portland Metro Area
    Posts
    859
    Thanks everyone for your thoughts. I bought regular old "Lemon Pledge" and sprayed it onto a paper towel that was handy and wiped down the bike tube by tube. I wasn't in the best light, but it looks a little more shiny. So...that's that.
    "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls & looks like work" - Thomas Edison

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Location
    Concord, CA USA
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    1,299
    Quote Originally Posted by Thorn View Post
    Yep...Lemon Pledge renews the finish and puts a protective layer of wax down. Simple and effective....oh, and also recommended by Georgina Terry.

    When I travel with the bike, I carry Pledge Wipes as a simple clean up.

    End of season, the bike gets a paste wax shine in her annual "spa treatment" at the bike shop. This seals and protects the finish.
    I wax my painted bikes too, for the same reasons I wax my car. I also use Pledge on both my painted bikes and unpainted Ti, as it makes it easier to clean them, and shinier too.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Portland Metro Area
    Posts
    859
    Well it's nice to know that great minds think alike!
    "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls & looks like work" - Thomas Edison

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    WA
    Posts
    138
    I use it on my bare titanium bike, as recommended by the builder. It also works fairly well to clean up white bar tape, but I really make sure I rub it off with an old cotton towel.
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  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Posts
    1,708
    Really? Wow, that kinda blows my mind. Do any of you people have carbon frames and do this?

    I have some bike specific wash shine degrease etc. stuff from the lbs. I had a bad experience once degreasing something I should not have and won myself a new bottom bracket sooo, I'm a bit more careful now.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Portland Metro Area
    Posts
    859
    @LilBolt, what type of bar tape? Cloth? Leather? Leather-esque? That's good to know.
    "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls & looks like work" - Thomas Edison

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    Illinois
    Posts
    3,853
    Quote Originally Posted by OakLeaf View Post
    It's popular for motorcycles too.

    Personally, I'd rather give it a real wash and wax it with automotive wax. But it's nice for a quick touch-up at an event or whatever.

    Any wax will repel dirt and protect the finish - I usually wax my frame once or twice a year.
    Yup. I've used Pledge on every motorcycle I've owned, works exceptionally well if you live where there's hard water.

    Electra Townie 7D

 

 

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