How to Use S100 Motorcycle Cleaner? | Step-By-Step Spray-On Wash

S100 Total Cycle Cleaner works best on a cool bike in the shade, sprayed as a fine mist and rinsed after 5–10 minutes.

For the full breakdown, see our best Motorcycle Cleaner guide.

When To Use S100 Total Cycle Cleaner

Use S100 Total Cycle Cleaner for a maintenance wash or heavy grime, not for a quick wipe between rides. It is a spray-on, rinse-off cleaner for painted panels, plastic, metal, and wheels, made for motorcycles and designed to break down grease without harsh scrubbing.

Skip it on a hot engine or a bike sitting in direct sun, and skip it if the surface is hot enough to make the cleaner evaporate before you rinse.

How To Apply S100 In Six Steps

Work through the full sequence in order, and the cleaner does most of the work itself.

1. Let the motor cool completely. A hot engine dries the spray too fast and can leave residue you have to scrub off.
2. Park in the shade, if you can. Direct sunlight makes the dwell time shorter and riskier. If shade isn’t available, work in smaller sections so the product never dries.
3. Spray a fine mist over the surfaces. Cover the panels, fenders, wheels, and chain area evenly. A heavy soak is wasteful; a light, even coat is what dissolves the grime.
4. Let it dwell for 5–10 minutes. If it starts to haze, that’s the signal to rinse immediately.
5. Agitate stubborn areas with a sponge or soft brush. Bug splatter on the leading edges and chain lube near the rear sprocket usually need a light scrub. A soft brush keeps the finish safe.
6. Rinse thoroughly. Use the sharpest jet of water you have to blast the loosened grime off, then finish with a softer mist from top to bottom to carry away the soap residue.

Dry immediately with a soft towel or microfiber cloth. Water spots form fast on dark paint, so don’t leave the bike to air dry.

Mistakes That Ruin The Finish

The failure points are almost never the spray itself. They come from timing and water pressure.

• Spraying a warm bike. The product evaporates before it can break down grime, so you scrub twice as hard for a worse result.
• Leaving it too long in the sun. The 30-minute maximum applies to heavy soiling, not to a warm panel. Dried-on cleaner leaves a film that’s harder to remove than the dirt you started with.
• Rinsing with a weak spray. A garden hose on “mist” just moves the grime around. The sharpest jet available is what separates the dirt from the paint.
• Skipping the dry. Untreated water from your hose leaves mineral spots on a clean surface, undoing the wash.

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