that stuff sounds scary spagina lol...
I use mean green. Never had a problem with it leaving marks. $1 a bottle isnt bad. I use it straight til the bottle is 2/3 low then i mix it with water to get a little more life out of the botle. never notice it being too weak and not cleaning as well whilie being a little diluted.
I always scrub down the frame and anything else i can get to with scotch brite, including all the areas of plastic / graphics that get rubbed and all dirty fromboots or whatever.
Afterwards I pretty much spray/wipe down anything metal with WD40 and then Depending on where I'm riding, cover most of the bike with SC1. (makes the garage smell nice for like a week after ha). SC1 is a must. Motul makes a nice product, very similar (silicon based detail spray).. but the sc1 is a little bit nicer (more shiney!). Only problem with that stuff is that it attracts a lot of dust. If I know it will be a nice prepped track, or mud, I cover it and leave it. if its dusty Ill spray lightly, and wipe off after.
I also spray the chain right after washing with WD40 to displace and get out alot of the water.. then by the time I do everything else its kind of dry and I spray up with chain lube.