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Lemon Pledge as a cleaner?

16K views 52 replies 38 participants last post by  PatC 
#1 ·
I've been going over old posts and threads from several Kawasaki and Vulcan forums and have seen it mentioned more than a few times that riders use Lemon Pledge (spray) furniture polish to clean and maintain their polycarbonate windshields and chrome.....

Anyone else do this - and are there long term hazards?

Considering the price of the "specialty" windshield cleaners out there, this would be a nice inexepensive bonus if it works without causing damage!

Sooo..... any of you "frugal" riders want to chime-in on this one?

:)
 
#2 · (Edited)
That and some good microfiber cloths. I have a windvest windshield {expensive for what it is} and there are no scratches after 3 years, actually, come to think of it, my bike has only been "washed" maybe 6 times. I will most often just spray a cloth good and wet with pledge, wipe and use another dry cloth to buff it to a shine. I learned about from a custom car guy that used pledge for show prep.
Oh and I use it on "everything" except the seat.
 
#4 ·
I sometimes use Lemon Pledge, however, despite the fact that the can says there are no oils or waxes in it, it still seems to leave a light film that attracts dust. I don't mind using it on the body of the bike, but not the windshield.

Going on a tip from someone on a different forum, I visited the local HD shop and picked up a can of the Harley-Davidson (branded) all purpose spray cleaner and polish. This stuff works as well, IMO, as Plexus, yet only costs $6.95 a can. Does a great job, and smells nice, too.
 
#6 ·
The old Honda Spray polish now the "Original" Spray Cleaner gives as good a sparkle as Lemon Pledge without the film residue leaves. http://www.directlineparts.com/product.asp?pid=6812&str=4

Honda stopped selling it because of a propellent issue they could not resolve with the manufacturer. It is truly a cleaner polish than can be used on just about every part of the bike. I order it by the case a split it with others... Directlineparts shipping cost makes this the best way to order.
 
#7 ·
Pledge is my cleaner of choice - I did win a can of the "Original" cleaner at a bike show and was quite impressed with that - But I don't carry it regularly because it only comes in an aerosol can whereas I get the pledge (for less) in a trigger pump bottle that seems to stow easier in the bags and I don't have to worry about it on really hot or really cold days . . . So unless I win another can - I'm sticking with the Pledge!
 
#9 ·
FWIW, I've been using Pledge all season without any issues. I carry a can and microfibre cloth in my bag. It's pretty nice for cleaning the windshield of bugs while on the road. Like others, I use it on everything but the seat, leather bags, and tires. I can't say that I've noticed a film, but I also use Plexus on the windshield when I clean it at home and I also use specialized cleaners, polishers and wax when I need to at home.
 
#10 ·
this is from a post earlier on in the year giving the properties of pledge .....




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

whiting5708-03-2011, 10:11 PM
my 900 classic has been washed twice in 22500 kms, both times after long trips. For cleaning i use Honda detailing spray and now have moved to Pledge Household spray. I use them on everything, plastic, paint, glass, windshield, vinyl, leather etc. Im really anal about a clean bike, my bikes are riders, not show bikes, but i clean them after every ride, even while touring.

i just bought a new 9 custom, my classic with 22-5' on the clock was way cleaner than my custom new off the floor .... no kiddiing.

One thing with the pledge over the honda spray was the lack of polish "build up", plus the G/F has it under the sink so i can knock it off any time i need it.

cheers Maurice

BTW , here's a copy from an earlier post


Pledge won't cloud the windshield. It is not a wax but a cleaner. I ran across this on another site.

The man who wrote it claims to be a chemical engineer.

Lets start out with the actual ingredients found in a spray can of Pledge.

Please note that the base formula will be different being dispensed from a spray can or pressurized aerosol vessel due to the fact that a "propellant" is needed to transfer the product from the container to a surface, in this case lets say a fender or a windshield. A trigger plastic spray container would not require this propellant additive.

For the purpose of this discussion, I will list the information relative to Pledge in the aerosol spray can as it appears to be the most common used by others on this forum.
The base ingredients are:

1. Naphtha, petroleum, light alkylate 5%-10% or (isoparaffinic hydrocarbon solvent)
2. Polydimethylsiloxanes (Silicon oil) 5%-10%
3. Water 70%-85%
4. Butane1% -5%
5. Isobutane1% - 5%
6. Propane1% - 5%

Now we can breakdown what these are and what they do.

The first ingredient is:

1-Naphta,petroleum,light alkylate.
This is a hydrocarbon solvent-based dispersant formulation which combines oil penetrability. In other words remember the label says "smear and smudge proof"? These are the ingredients that will break down and remove the smears, finger or dermal tissue oils. Criminals take note.. use this to eliminate finger prints. Just dont be a dumb (EDITED) and leave the can behind!!

Now, what is a hydrocarbon?
A general term for organic compounds which contain only carbon and hydrogen. They are divided into saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons, aliphatic (alkane or fatty) and aromatic (benzene) hydrocarbons. Crude
oil is essentially a complex mixture of hydrocarbons.

To break it down even further, I will now define an organic compound.

An organic compound is any member of a large class of chemical
compounds whose molecules contain carbon.
What is carbon you asked? I knew ya would!!

Carbon is a chemical element with symbol C and atomic number 6. As a member of group 14 on the periodic table, it is nonmetallic and tetravalent (a state of an atom with four electrons making four electrons available to form covalent chemical bonds.)

A chemical element is a type of atom that is distinguished by its atomic number; that is, by the number of protons in its nucleus. The term is also used to refer to a pure chemical substance composed.

What does this all mean?? It is a pure chemical substance.
Why is it in there? Remember the finger print? It is a solvent that removes oily residues. This is the cleaning agent in the product.
Look at the can.."It dusts and cleans". this is what makes it clean/remove dirt,grease,oil,grime.

That was the more lenghty one. The remainder are relatively simple. If you are still reading at this point, thanks for bearing with me.Go grab another beer! I will summarize at the end and compare to other products on the market in terms of ingredients, costs and results.

The second noted ingredient is:


2-Polydimethylsiloxanes or Silicon oil 5%-10%.
This is silicone based oil. The molecular structure of this is such that friction is significantly reduced. This nifty additional ingredient is also the reason why the ..refer to label again.. NO WAX BUILD-UP!! Silicone will blend with it'self and not mix or layer with other chemicals.
It does however have the ability to piss bike painters off due to the fact that it needs to be completely removed proir to coating with paint. If not...start all over again. It makes surfaces slick so that nothing sticks. It also provides the shine to the surface.
This chemical is also present in 95% of products us bikers use on our scoots such as Armor All, Meguires Wax and STP Son of a Gun just to mentiion a few so if you are worried about using Pledge in the past on your bike, you may alraedy have and just did not know it.
This silicone oil is also an ingredient in Right Guard deodorant, baby powder,Desitin, Gillette Dry and several moisturizers and creams. This is why Pledge does not contain wax, they use this instead.
Makes me want to try it with the goa....wife!
To the guy that posted about the fella steping on his fender and sliding off...about to 5 drops of this in a drink will cause lets just say possible incontenence" which will then require the need for additional Desitin with the same ingredient to help that diaper rash from the copiuos ammounts of passing solids!!! Great stuff ain it?

The third ingredient:

3-Water. This acts as a dilutor. Kind of like "filler" in cheap dog food but in liquid form.
Cant use the product undiluted.

The remaining butane, isobutane and propane are the propellants that assist in expelling or propelling the liquid product from the can. The methane is building under pressure and the propane, butane provides the ignition source. Kinda like putting your tounge on a 9v battery. You know you are gonna do it eventually when no one is looking. Try chewing aluminum foil!! Nah...dont do that either.

Other ingredients such as aromatic compound like orange, lemon or any other organic scent additive can also be incorporated.

Now with this little snippet of knowledge, how does one apply it to everyday living.
If Martha Stewart says that a prison panty liner work just as well as a microfibre cloth stop reading. If not..please bear with me for I am almost done.
Several products out there are costly for several reasons. 1 because of proprietary ingredients/raw materials, 2 advertising costs, supply and demand and product to market costs. What will the market bear? I have always compared ingredient when shopping. Silicone oil is silicone oil, Pepto Bismal, for the guy trying to stand on the fender coated with silicone oil is pink Bismuth...same thing!
Pink bismuth is MUCH cheaper.

I heard of a product called Plexus. A great cleaner and conditioner for Lexan. At $15.95 for a 13oz can versus an 18oz $4.99? can of Pledge? I have not bought or used Pledge and do not know the actual cost I am sure it is not even close to this other product.

In summary:

* Will not damage finish
* Will provide a nice shine
* Will not build up or layer
* Safe on windshield. No alcohol or amonia
* Safe on chrome
* Also has some (although not real good) anti corrosion properties. I use Boeshield T-9 for this application.

One precaution!! Flammable! Do not use around open flames or on hot pipes or other hot components. Do not get on or use on denim ar matted finishes!!

I would also highly recommend that a wet or water wash, or a soft wetted cloth, (I use warm clothes because the heat helps soften bug guts better than cold) be done or used first to remove surface debris and particulate from the soon to be applied to surface, fenders, gas tanks,side panels. This will reduce potential scratching of your paint.

Well, I hoped this helps. Like I said, I have never used "Pledge". But I have applied the same ingredients in Pledge (just under a different name...Maguires Wax) on my bikes not knowing it, and they have all looked great!
__________________
 
#15 ·
this is from a post earlier on in the year giving the properties of pledge .....

........whiting5708-03-2011, 10:11 PM
my 900 classic has been washed twice in 22500 kms, both times after long trips.
Well, I hoped this helps. Like I said, I have never used "Pledge". But I have applied the same ingredients in Pledge (just under a different name...Maguires Wax) on my bikes not knowing it, and they have all looked great!
__________________
whiting57 - thanks for taking the time to post all of that in one place!

Cheers!

Toforo
 
#21 · (Edited)
The wipes would work if they are very fine in makeup, but it may be more cost efficient to use Pledge in the spray can and a nice micro fiber towel that does not leave any scratches.
 
#12 ·
Anyone else use hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle to remove bugs? Let it sit awhile and then wipe them off.
 
#14 ·
I learned about Pledge from a retired cropduster, who used it on his airplane windshield. He said it worked better than the outrageously expensive stuff that is made for airplanes, and cost a fraction as much.
 
#22 ·
From earlier post...

"One precaution!! Flammable! Do not use around open flames or on hot pipes or other hot components. Do not get on or use on denim ar matted finishes!!"

So I would consider the blacked out parts on my Vaquero (forks, air filter cover, etc) are matted finish, so shouldn't use Pledge on. But I do wonder why?
 
#25 ·
Except for the rough finish plastic black tank piece, I'm using Pledge on all the blacked out parts on my Vaquero with no issues at all, it looks really nice. I spray the pledge on the tank piece and let it sit, don't bother trying to wipe that sandpaper thing down... I just did an oil/filter change, bath, and Pledge final polish last night on the Red Gal getting her all dolled up for the group ride today...
 
#35 ·
Tried it this weekend, if you make sure to buff out your shield there ain't nothin' that will stick to your windshield.

I hadn't cleaned the windshield in about 3 months and everything just wiped off like it was fresh. Of course, since I had just cleaned it the ride i went on was met with a plethora of small bugs VERY interested in finding out what smacking into a windshield is like!
 
#38 ·
Although I do wash mine often using McGuires wash, I use pledge regularly for wipedowns, and love it. No issues to date. Also learned this from car show guys.
 
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