Cleaning and caring for carbon parts on your motorcycle: How to keep your visible carbon in top condition
Basically, you clean carbon parts on a motorcycle just like a painted surface. Ilmberger carbon parts are sealed with clear coat, making them weather-resistant and UV-resistant. For cleaning, water, a paint-safe cleaner, and a soft microfiber cloth are sufficient. Here you will learn how to clean and care for carbon: which products are suitable, whether pressure washers and polish are allowed, and what applies to matte parts. You will also read why a protected parking space helps preserve the shine in the long term.
How are Ilmberger carbon parts protected against environmental influences?
Ilmberger carbon parts are made from prepreg material, meaning carbon fiber fabric that is already pre-impregnated with resin. The material is cured in an autoclave: in this pressure vessel, it gains its final strength under heat and pressure. Then comes the step that is crucial for care: sealing the surface with clear coat.
What the clear coat sealing provides:- Protection of the carbon component against moisture and dirt- Resistance to weather such as rain and temperature changes- Resistance to UV radiation- Preservation of the characteristic depth effect of the carbon weave
The clear coat layer as a protective shield
The surface of every part is coated with clear coat. This very layer forms the seal – it is not a matter of two separate layers. For you, this means: what is cleaned and cared for is not the carbon fiber itself, but a painted surface.
This applies equally to glossy and matte Ilmberger carbon parts – they are constructed identically, only the final paint layer is matte on matte parts. Anyone who has ever cared for a car already knows the basic rules. What damages car paint will also damage the clear coat on your carbon part.
How do you properly clean carbon parts on a motorcycle?
You can clean carbon parts on a motorcycle in just a few steps: rinse off loose dirt with water, loosen insect residue with an insect remover, wash with a paint-safe cleaner and a soft microfiber cloth, rinse with clean water, dry, and finally seal with spray wax. Special procedures are not necessary – many products used for motorcycle washing are suitable.
Suitable and unsuitable cleaning products at a glance
| Suitable | Better to avoid ||---|---|| Clean water | Solvents such as acetone, thinner, or brake cleaner || Paint-safe motorcycle and car shampoos | Acidic wheel cleaners || Mild cleaners for painted surfaces | Abrasives and cleaners with polishing particles || Insect remover | Hard brushes and scratching sponges || Soft microfiber cloths and sponges | Dry wiping of dust and dirt || Ilmberger carbon cleaner, insect remover, and spray wax | Polish on matte parts |
Step by step to a clean surface
- Pre-rinse: Remove loose dust and dirt with water so that no particles are rubbed across the paint when wiping.
- Loosen insect residue: Apply the insect remover pure, meaning without water, and remove it with a microfiber cloth.
- Clean: Use the cleaner with water and wash with a soft microfiber cloth or sponge.
- Rinse: Thoroughly wash off any cleaner residue with clean water.
- Dry: Wipe the surface dry with a clean microfiber cloth.
- Seal: Apply the spray wax and spread it evenly.
It is best to remove chain spray mist promptly with cleaner and water. Splashes of gasoline, for example on the tank cover, should be wiped off immediately and rinsed with water. The same applies to brake fluid, as it attacks paint.
Can carbon parts be cleaned with a pressure washer?
Yes – with correct use, a pressure washer is possible. Follow the appliance manufacturer's instructions for cleaning painted surfaces. The same rules apply to the clear coat on your carbon parts as to car paint.
Ilmberger carbon care products: cleaner, insect remover, and spray wax
Why use dedicated care products when many cleaners are suitable? In principle, you can use any paint-safe product. However, the Ilmberger carbon care products are matched to the clear-coated carbon parts. They cover complete care from a single source – from washing to wax sealing.
The three products at a glance:- Cleaner: for washing together with water- Insect remover: use pure with the microfiber cloth, gently removes insect residue- Spray wax: wax sealant for protection and shine that emphasizes the weave structure
Our tip: Apply the spray wax after every thorough wash. This keeps the surface protected and evenly glossy throughout the entire season.
Glossy or matte: What applies to matte carbon parts?
Ilmberger manufactures carbon parts in glossy and matte finishes – we explain the difference between glossy and matte carbon on a dedicated knowledge page. The structure is identical, only the final paint layer is matte. Matte parts are cleaned in exactly the same way: with water, a paint-safe cleaner, and a microfiber cloth. The most important difference: matte surfaces must not be polished, because this damages the matte finish and creates glossy spots.
How do you protect carbon parts from scratches?
The surface is well protected against weather, but only to a limited extent against scratches and impacts. Mechanical influences can damage the clear coat layer. A scratch in the paint not only impairs the appearance. In the worst case, it also opens a path for moisture and dirt.
Typical sources of danger in everyday use:- Zippers, rivets, or belt buckles on motorcycle clothing- Tank bags or luggage resting directly on carbon surfaces- Tools set down during maintenance work- The motorcycle tipping over while maneuvering or parking
How to protect your components:- Pad luggage contact areas with soft underlays- Apply paint protection film to heavily used areas such as the tank cover- Cover carbon parts during maintenance work or remove them beforehand
Paint protection film and ceramic coating
You can use paint protection film and ceramic coating on Ilmberger carbon parts without any problems. Paint protection film offers additional protection on contact areas such as the tank and knee grip area.
Can scratches in carbon be polished out?
Yes, on glossy painted parts, light scratches in the clear coat can be polished out. Matte painted carbon, on the other hand, must not be polished. For deeper scratches or damage, Ilmberger offers repair and refinishing. You can request a repair via the contact form.
Are carbon parts UV-resistant?
Yes. Ilmberger carbon parts are weather-resistant and UV-resistant and are therefore designed for regular riding in sun and rain. There is one limitation. However, if a motorcycle stands for years without protection in sun and rain, the surface can suffer over time.
This is comparable to the paint on a car that stands outdoors unprotected for years. There too, the shine eventually fades. You can prevent this with a few measures:
- If possible, park the motorcycle in a garage or under a carport
- If parked outdoors for longer periods, use a breathable cover
- Regularly apply the spray wax to protect the surface
- Before winter storage, thoroughly clean the carbon parts and seal them with spray wax
Care checklist for your carbon parts
The table shows how to clean and care for carbon depending on the situation.
| Situation | Recommendation ||---|---|| Insect residue | Insect remover pure with microfiber cloth || Regular washing | Cleaner with water, soft microfiber cloth || After washing | Spray wax as a sealant || Chain spray, gasoline, brake fluid | Remove immediately and rinse || Light scratches (glossy) | Polish out || Light scratches (matte) | Do not polish || Deep damage | Request repair from Ilmberger || Parking | Garage, carport, or breathable cover || Winter storage | Clean and seal |
Conclusion: Little effort, long-lasting enjoyment of carbon
The clear coat sealing makes caring for your carbon parts straightforward. Water, a paint-safe cleaner, and a soft microfiber cloth are enough for regular cleaning. So you can clean carbon parts on your motorcycle without any special expertise.
Anyone who wants to clean and care for carbon should finish every wash with spray wax. Paint protection film provides additional protection for heavily used areas. Light scratches can be polished out on glossy parts. With a little care in handling and a protected parking space, your components will retain their depth effect and shine for many years.
Ready for the right care? You can find cleaner, insect remover, and spray wax among the care products in the Ilmberger shop.
Questions about cleaning or a damaged part? Our team will be happy to advise you and also handle repairs: Contact Ilmberger Carbon
Looking for new carbon parts? Discover our carbon parts for your motorcycle.