Premium Bicycle Cleaning with the HOTO Cordless Pressure Washer and SILCA Ultimate Bike Wash
22.05.23 08:10 3662023-05-22T08:10:00+02:00Text: NoPain (translated by AI)Photos: Erwin HaidenIn-Depth Workshop: From grimy to gleaming with the bordering-on-genius Hoto Battery High-Pressure Cleaner Pressure Washer Pro, as well as the efficient and not too environmentally unfriendly Ultimate Bike Wash care product series from Silca.22.05.23 08:10 4582023-05-22T08:10:00+02:00Premium Bicycle Cleaning with the HOTO Cordless Pressure Washer and SILCA Ultimate Bike Wash
22.05.23 08:10 4582023-05-22T08:10:00+02:00 NoPain (translated by AI) Erwin HaidenIn-Depth Workshop: From grimy to gleaming with the bordering-on-genius Hoto Battery High-Pressure Cleaner Pressure Washer Pro, as well as the efficient and not too environmentally unfriendly Ultimate Bike Wash care product series from Silca.22.05.23 08:10 4582023-05-22T08:10:00+02:00
The cold and gray season is also tough on our bikes. Mud, salt, and dirt stick to the frame and drivetrain, increasing component wear and are moreover an unsightly view. We took advantage of the first mild spring days for an especially thorough spring cleaning, during which the brand-new Hoto High-Pressure Cleaner Pressure Washer Pro could demonstrate what it's capable of. What's special about it: Even without an electrical and stationary water connection, it promises a maximum pressure of 290 psi (~20 bar), long battery life as well as a sparkling clean result thanks to its 5-in-1 multi-function nozzle and built-in soap reservoir.
To get the optimum in terms of care, wear reduction, and cotton savings, the new Silca Bicycle Spa Collection, a cleaning and care series specifically developed for bicycles and coordinated with each other, was also used.
The multi-stage process begins with the Ultimate Brake + Drivetrain Cleaner, which removes dirt from the drivetrain and brakes without leaving any residue. After that, the foaming Ultimate Bike Wash removes dirt from the entire bicycle - starting from the saddle to the tire treads, followed by the Ultimate Graphene Spray Wax, which seals the paint with a thin layer of wax. Last but not least, the Ultimate Ceramic Waterless Wash is used regularly or after every ride; it provides an additional protective layer and also removes surface dirt.
Disclaimer
Of course, a high level of cleaning can also be achieved with just water and soap. Soap suds can be made entirely from natural substances, are skin-friendly, vegan and microplastic-free, have grease-dissolving properties, do not damage paints or tires during cleaning, and are 100% biodegradable. However, whether a similarly fantastic final result as with the Silca ensemble can be achieved with an organic soap remains to be seen.
Please feel free to post in the comments below how you clean your bikes and if you have any secret tips for our community.
Make it happen
Yes, why not actually.
Hoto Pressure Washer Pro
Hoto's latest mobile high-pressure cleaner for bicycles, motorcycles, cars, and homes is a real revolution. Although there are already similar battery-operated devices on the market that can be operated without a fixed water and power connection, they often falter when it comes to water pressure and struggle with much too small water reservoirs that need to be refilled several times during the washing process.
Even compared to the Kärcher OC3, which has been on the market since 2017, the Hoto Pressure Washer Pro is in a league of its own. Not only does its powerful 14-mm double-piston pump, which achieves a water pressure of 20 bar (290 psi) in self-priming mode, spray around 3.5 liters of water per minute (OC3: < 2 liters per minute), but the fun also only ends after about 45 minutes of operating time (OC3: 15 minutes).
But even in terms of water supply, the Hoto is not tied to an integrated tank volume (OC3: 7 liters), but can draw water from any container with its 6-meter long hose. For example, from a 20-liter water canister, the rain barrel, a bucket, or the 20-liter collapsible bucket from Hoto.
Hoto Pressure Washer Pro
| Abmessungen | 500 mm x 360 mm |
| Gewicht | 1,5 kg |
| Motorleistung | 330 Watt |
| Nennspannung | 20 Volt |
| Akku | Li-ion Batterie mit 2.500 mAh, wasserdicht nach IPX6 |
| Maximaldruck | 20 Bar (290 psi) |
| Modi | Fünf Betriebsmodi: Jet, 20 Grad, 40 Grad, Schräg, Seife/Schaum |
| Lieferumfang | 20 V Hochdruckreiniger Pro, 5-in-1-Multisprühdüse, Seifenflasche, 6 m Wasserschlauch, Akkupack, USB-C-Kabel, Stromadapter |
| Optional | Hoto Reinigungskit mit 20 Liter Falteimer, doppelseitigem Schwamm und zwei Reinigungstüchern aus Mikrofaser um 24,99 USD. |
| Preis | ab 179,99 USD (je nach Shop und Verfügbarkeit) |
Just as convincing as the technical data on paper is the function in practice. And it starts right after unpacking with the assembly: All components look elegant, are of high quality, and can be quickly, intuitively, and precisely assembled thanks to the attached markings. Handle piece onto the battery, lance screwed into the handle, hose and soap bottle connected, and the Hoto is ready to use.
Now all that is needed is a filled water container into which the inlet hose is placed and fixed with the help of the attached clip. Tip: Warm water makes cleaning easier; especially greasy dirt is better removed by the higher temperature.
By switching the nozzle head, one of five washing programs can be selected: Sharp jet (Jet), 20° flat jet, 40° flat jet, angled flat jet (e.g., for the car roof or hard-to-reach areas), and the foam/spray mode, in which the cleaning agent from the integrated 250ml PET bottle is automatically mixed in. If the bottle is empty or not connected, the mode serves as a shower with low water pressure.
The detachable 2500 mAh battery pack allows for a maximum usage time of 45 minutes, is waterproof according to IPX6 standard, and can also be used as a mobile power bank outdoors with a conventional USB-C cable.The detachable 2500 mAh battery pack allows for a maximum usage time of 45 minutes, is waterproof according to IPX6 standard, and can also be used as a mobile power bank outdoors with a conventional USB-C cable.
The six-meter-long PVC water hose offers maximum flexibility and is equipped with an integrated filter system that prevents contaminants at the built-in pump.The six-meter-long PVC water hose offers maximum flexibility and is equipped with an integrated filter system that prevents contaminants at the built-in pump.
In total, there are five different nozzle sizes or spray angles available, which can be adjusted - depending on the requirement - by turning the 5-in-1 nozzle head.In total, there are five different nozzle sizes or spray angles available, which can be adjusted - depending on the requirement - by turning the 5-in-1 nozzle head.
During work, the 1.5-kilogram lightweight high-pressure cleaner is as evenly balanced in the hand as a Spectre M4 submachine gun and can be comfortably operated with one hand. In terms of water pressure, the Hoto Power Pressure Pro lives up to its name with 20 bar, possessing the sweet spot of all the mobile high-pressure cleaners we know - by no means as powerful as stationary devices from Kärcher & Co., which with >150 bar of cold water blasted out can put the bearings and seals on the bike at risk, but significantly stronger than the Kärcher OC3, which at 5 bar feels like a child's toy.
For our cleaning workshop, we needed a 3/4 full collapsible bucket (~15 liters of warm water) and about 1/3 of the battery capacity (~ 15 minutes). All in all, three intensive washes would have been possible with one battery charge.
Hoto 20V Cordless Pressure Cleaner Pro/Car Wash Gun
Official Product Name (English)
Premium Bicycle Cleaning - Preparation
In addition to the pressure washer and cleaning agents, you will need the following tools:
- Coarse brush for the drivetrain
- Soft horsehair brush and/or soft sponge for the frame and components
- 1x microfiber cloth for drying off
- 1-2 microfiber cloths for waxing or polishing the frame
- Large water reservoir with warm water
- Lubricant of your choice for re-lubricating the dried chain
Step 1: Degrease the drivetrain with Silca Ultimate Brake and Drivetrain Cleaner
The first and probably most important step in bicycle cleaning is to free the drivetrain from all dirt and deposits. To do this, we generously spray the Silca Ultimate Brake and Drivetrain Cleaner on the chain, cassette, derailleur pulleys, chainrings, and brakes. This wonder cleaner, whose cinnamon scent we seem to recognize from proven motorcycle and rim cleaners, removes grease, oils, and brake dust in 3-5 minutes from the drivetrain and foams up in a purple color while encapsulating the dirt. It also eliminates brake squeal and does not attack the wax on the paint or drivetrain. If the drivetrain is particularly dirty, we use a stiff brush to help remove the dissolved material. Then rinse with water.
Tip #1 for waxed chains with Silca or Molten Speed Wax (The Baranski)
Depending on the quality of the material and external conditions, the wax coating lasts between 300 (dust and mud off-road) and 600 kilometers (sun and road use) without re-lubrication. Therefore, an overly intensive bike wash with cleaning agents or brushes is not necessary and probably not beneficial. Although the Silca Ultimate Brake and Drivetrain Cleaner does not attack wax, it is better to only clean your performance chain superficially to avoid removing more wax than necessary, and gently rub it dry with a rag.
Tip #2 for the connoisseur: Wheels off
To prevent possible contamination of the discs (or brake tracks) with the Bike Wash cleaning agent (step 2), remove the wheels, set them aside, and clean them separately.
Step 2: Foam Bath with the Silca Ultimate Bike Wash
We fill the Hoto Soap Reservoir with Silca Ultimate Bike Wash and water (approximately 5 ml concentrate per liter of water) and switch the nozzle to foam mode. Silca's Bike Wash is an environmentally friendly, powerfully cherry-scented foam bath with advanced surfactants that encapsulate the dirt as it is removed from the surface. This is intended to make micro-scratches in the paint a thing of the past. Subsequently, we spray the strongly foaming bike cleaner over the bike extensively, taking care to avoid getting it on disc brake pads or the discs. Small amounts are naturally not a problem, but should still be generally avoided.
After a short time for the product to take effect, we use a horsehair brush or a soft sponge to scrub the frame, saddle, handlebar tape, and the rest of the bike. Now, all that's left is to rinse the bike from top to bottom with clean water and to dry it off with a clean, grease-free microfiber cloth. The result is a sparkling clean bike without any residues.
Upgraded Wheels
If you have removed the wheels, first clean the tires and rims with a horsehair brush (or a soft sponge) and make sure to remove all deposits or sharp objects that could cause a flat tire. Also, avoid spraying the soap or cleaning solution directly onto the discs as much as possible. Afterwards, rinse the tires and rims until no more soap is visible.
Step 3: Paint sealing with Silca Ultimate Graphene Wax Spray
In the third step of our premium bike wash, we give the clean, air-dried frame and components a final touch-up with the Silca Ultimate Graphene Wax Spray, which seals the surface with wax and simultaneously protects it with a durable, hydrophobic graphene oxide coating against dirt and deposits for an extended period.
To do this, we simply spray the well-shaken wax onto the painted surfaces of the frame (or onto a microfiber cloth), spread it evenly, and let it dry for 2-3 minutes. Caution: Avoid brake discs and pads, or braking surfaces.
To finish, we polish the bike and its components with a clean microfiber cloth for a shiny finish and enjoy up to 90 days of protection that smells like daisies.
Step 4: Daily Cleaning with the Ultimate Ceramic Waterless Wash
Giving the bicycle a thorough cleaning after every routine ride is neither necessary nor effective - with the exception of damp winter rides on salty roads. With the Silca Ultimate Ceramic Waterless Wash, regular cleaning of light soiling without water and foam is still quick and gentle.
After shaking, we spray the advanced SiO2 ceramic wax additive onto the frame and let its polymeric surfactants work for us. They lift the dirt particles and encapsulate them, allowing them to be safely wiped away from the paint. Caution: Avoid spraying the brakes and drivetrain.
Two to three minutes later, a micrometer-thin, Piña Colada-scented ceramic coating forms, which we finally polish with a dry microfiber cloth.
Step 5: Chain lubrication with the Silca Secret Chain Lube
After the chain has been completely dried off - because wax does not mix with water or water-soluble cleaning agents - it is a good time to re-lubricate the drive. Our waxed chain runs quietly for at least 200 kilometers based on experience, gradually becomes louder thereafter, and requires an initial retreatment after at least 300 kilometers, depending on the prevailing weather conditions. Theoretically, 600 kilometers are possible in pure dry road use, but significantly less in rain or intense washing processes.
For optimal lubrication, we place the chain on the large chainring at the front and on a large sprocket at the back. The resulting diagonal chain line ensures the uptake of the maximum amount of wax due to the greater bending/movement of the individual links. After shaking the Silca Secret Chain Lube, we apply 2 drops per roller (one on the inside of the left chain links and one on the inside of the right chain links) and turn the chain 6-10 full revolutions backwards.
To prevent the liquid wax from flying around, we let the chain dry for at least 30 minutes to an hour and wipe off excess wax with a microfiber cloth.
The gleaming result!
Conclusion
| Hoto Pressure Washer Pro | |
|---|---|
| Model Year: | 2023 |
| Review Duration: | 4 Weeks |
| Price: | from 179.99 USD |
| + | Lightweight and compact |
| + | Powerful water pressure |
| + | Long operating time |
| + | 5-in-1 multifunction nozzle |
| + | Usable with hot water |
| + | High quality |
| + | Liquid soap reservoir |
| + | Usable with hot water |
| - | Currently hard to get |
| BB Verdict: | Great pressure washer for bikes, motorcycles, cars, and home. |
The Hoto Pressure Washer Pro represents the sweet spot of a perfect pressure washer for bikes - significantly more efficient than a garden hose or low-power portable devices, yet gentler than industrial pressure washers or the ones at gas stations. It doesn't matter whether you have a power or water connection nearby, because with the 2,500 mAh battery and 20 bar water pressure, you won't miss out on anything - compared to stationary and usually more cumbersome devices.
The adjustable 5-in-1 multifunction nozzle provides the ideal cleaning pressure and water jet for every step of the work (preferably 20°, 40°, and shower). In foam mode, you can evenly coat the bike with soap without having to dissolve the cleaner in a bucket beforehand. Plus, you can clean your bike with hot water, which reduces washing time and decreases water consumption.
All in all, the Hoto would be a real recommendation if it were more conveniently available for purchase. Currently, it is only for sale on hototools.com for 179.99 USD, plus 24.99 USD shipping and 41.00 USD customs. With a longer wait time, it totals up to 245.98 USD - however, this could quickly change if a local online shop adds the product to its portfolio.
Caution with orders from abroad
New Packaging Ordinance Austria since January 1, 2023!
Foreign mail order companies can no longer register directly with a Dual System in Austria. Since January 1, 2023, they must appoint an authorized representative if they ship to Austria and put packaging into circulation accordingly. This authorization must be notarially certified. In short - orders from Aliexpress & Co as well as from many EU-/Non-EU online shops are not possible until they have appointed a notarially certified packaging ordinance representative.
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