I always wipe down my bikes with WD40 or something similar after riding. It doesn't leave a noticeable oily residue, being a water displacement more than a lubricant. It gives a nice shine too.
Dennis Young Hotaka, Japan
> Victor, I have removed old residues from paint by wrapping the tube
> with a
> single layer of paper towel that has been soaked with WD40, then
> covering
> the tube with plastic or foil (to reduce evaporation) and waiting
> 24 hours.
> I remove the wrappings and use a plastic scrub pad and plastic
> scraper if
> needed to remove the softened residue.
> The paint never seems to be affected by WD40, and I've used this
> method on
> bicycle and motorcycle painted surfaces with good results.
>
> Automotive waxes and rubbing compounds similarly tend to soften
> hardened
> adhesives if allowed to penetrate for a while without drying out,
> but the
> WD40 is the one I trust most to spare the paint.
>
> David Snyder