cleaning carbon fibre pipes

[davecrowley]

Whats the best way to keep carbon fibre clean,will polish or furniture polish harm the shine or just wipe them over after wash.

[BEAU]

I can't see how CF pipes would be any different to normal CF anything, and I use Plexus on all my CF. Others may have something else to add to the subject though.

[CeeJay07]

I use Armorall on my Yoshis....seems to work fine.....might give the Plexus a go

[BEAU]

I love the Plexus's anti-static properties. As I'm sure all do.

[bazman]

Go the Plexus Dave ......but DON'T buy it from the bike shops!!!! Try a marine/boat shop.....can be nearly HALF the price!!

[davecrowley]

Will do bazman,thanks guys.

[Skidmarx]

wonder if plexus will buff my busa/surfboard up :P

hhmm, mighty keen on them carbon fairings

[Belzybob]

Have been doing some reading up on this issue recently, I have some comments. Yoshimura don't say much, apart from cleaning with an 'automotive soap' and repacking. This last point ties in with stuff I've read about exposure to high temps having an effect on CF, as failure to repack causes heat transfer to the CF wrap. UV light is also an issue, which is why CF products in aviation, boating etc. are finished with a suitable paint cover. The snag we have is that they are largely fitted for the 'bling' effect, not neccesarily to save weight or gain strength.

Best advice therefore that I can come up with is:
* Ensure fittings are kept suitably tightened (to avoid flexing etc.)
* Washed without solvents and cleaned with a little polish, both Pledge and Mr Sheen have featured in what I've read
* Repack the muffler at suitable intervals (opinion varies on the interval)
* Keep your ride in a shed/garage, as that will help protect the paint, tyres and the CF components.

[Resn8]

Wd40 works a treat on carbon cans and Ti cans as well......

[Shifu]

Wd40 works a treat on carbon cans and Ti cans as well......

I got Akrapovic both CF and Ti cans and the manufacturer also suggest WD-40 for cleaning and keeping them shiny. That is what I use and so far have no problems with either materials. My concern with furniture polishes is that they may "cake on" when it gets really hot but have not used them so it is just a guess.

[Belzybob]

Wd40 works a treat on carbon cans and Ti cans as well......

No, WD40 is for chains!

[CeeJay07]

No, kero is for chains!

[Belzybob]

No, kero is for chains!

I had a flashback to another forum where any mention of chain lubing was guaranteed to get some very polarised replies.

[CeeJay07]

I haven't mentioned using it for lubing the chain and neither did you....pretty sure the topic was cleaning.

[Heidi1]

I've used amoural on mine for years. They look pretty faded these days, but they've been on two busas and done about 140 000kms. They have also lived outside at at least one house of mine that didn't have a garage, and sat outside at work for a few years. I've been told they can burn through and all sorts of things, but mine have been absolutely bullet proof. The amoural makes them real shiny!