thanks. I think it might be a problem with this particular aluminum seatpost + carbon frame combination?... I saw this:  which has the same bike as mine, also less than a year in use.... ( while mine is less than 6 months and didn't rode in any wet conditions...

So after todays gross race at the park, cleanup at home was made so much easier because:

1. I ceramic coated my bike including the wheels. I'm using this cheap spray stuff which I originally bought for my car and lasts about 3-6mos depending on how often I drive and how nasty the weather/conditions are. Should have taken a video but a light hose rinse was all it took for the dirt and grime to come right off.

https://www.turtlewax.com/products/hybrid-solutions-ceramic-wax-spray-coating-16-fl-oz

2. I'm using a whipperman reusable, tool-less link along with a waxed chain. This allows me to remove the chain quickly & easily and wipe it down with a shop towel off the bike before leaving it on my dehumidifier fan to dry quickly so it doesn't get any surface rust spots. The wax also prevents the chain and drivetrain from being greasy so everything remains a rinse away from going back to clean. I can now use a freshly waxed alternate chain while I ultrasonic clean and rewax this one.

How was it applying the ceramic wax?  I've been avoiding riding in this recent rain cause I'm not a huge fan of cleaning me bike...

GregHoge said:

How was it applying the ceramic wax?  I've been avoiding riding in this recent rain cause I'm not a huge fan of cleaning me bike...

Just make sure your bike is clean and dry and then spray on a clean microfiber towel and wipe everything down. Use another dry towel to wipe off excess and avoid spotting/streaking. A little goes a long way even on a car ("one spray per panel") so don't need to go nuts. Takes about a day to cure, and then you can put another coat on.

Like on car paint good to make sure everything is super clean and dry. For good measure you can wax first before ceramic coating to fill in any micro swirls on the clear coat (won't get rid of the swirls but helps smooth things out).

TLDR "clean, wax, spray on towel and wipe everything down".

David Yang said:

clean, wax, spray on towel and wipe everything down".

Or in other words: Wax on, wax off.

You're lucky I'm Korean and not Japanese or I'd be emailing HR.

But I'm still tinkering, trying new stuff, seeing what might work better.

I've been experimenting with Squirt Bike Cleaner instead of soapy water.  The spray bottle is a plus for application.  Not sure if it workse better.
https://squirtcycling.us/collections/bike-cleaner/products/squirt-bike-cleaner-foam-spray-750ml-25oz

Note: Dish soap (e.g. Dawn) is very alkaline and car detailing enthusiasts only use it to strip a car of *everything* including any protective wax - basically a "back to zero" use case and then go from there to begin the process all the way to waxing and finishing.

I have to assume both the paint and clear coats are thinner on bikes than cars, but similar advice and principles should probably apply. I've been going through a gallon of car wash soap for the last 5 years for both the cars and bikes and I still probably have a year left before I finish it. 

For auto detailing enthusiasts there are also "no rinse" maintenance wash products which are effectively sprays. Here's a giant thread about one guy's obsessive testing and categorization. I've never personally used one, but I'm tempted every time I waste a few weekend hours washing both cars in my driveway. These are also stupid cheap compared to dedicated bike wash products.

https://autogeekonline.net/threads/17-rinseless-washes-reviewed-pictures-charts-smell-tests-and-pseudo-science.125498/

Dishsoap, bucket, hose and a brush. I'll post pictures next time I do it

David Yang said:

Note: Dish soap (e.g. Dawn) is very alkaline and car detailing enthusiasts only use it to strip a car of *everything* including any protective wax - basically a "back to zero" use case and then go from there to begin the process all the way to waxing and finishing.

Thanks.  I didn't know that.

I took a look and found this website:

I think that's fair, probably something I picked up and just repeating over the years. Mainly tho car wash stuff is effective and almost as cheap as dish soap and definitely cheaper than bike sprays.