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It looks like your bike has been through an insect abattoir. The chrome and plastic are covered in blood, guts and other body parts. Your paint has been covered in road grime for months, and every crevice and corner is clogged with dirt. It’s possible to make your car look new again without spending too much time or money.
Mike, Director of Technical Training, says, “It might sound a bit obvious, but there is a fundamental right way to clean a bike and some things that you absolutely shouldn’t do.” For 24 of the 112 years.
Mike explains the basics of bike washing.
There is a lot of advice and information out there. Some people prefer to use the same products and follow the same routine. There are many different products, washes, waxes, and tools that you can use. Understandably, this can seem not very clear. It is possible that you don’t know where to start. Could you keep it simple, my advice?
First, ask yourself how much time you have to clean your motorcycle. What do you know about motorcycle cleaning?
Mike says, “If you don’t mind spending 10 hours cleaning your bike each time you ride, it’s fine.” “But most people want the job to be as quick and painless as possible with great results.
It is also important to assess the condition and age of the motorcycle. Are you looking for something new or old? Or just plain junky? This will help you choose the best method and tools.
It is also important to know what materials were used in the bike’s construction. Are you looking for anodized, bare or chrome aluminium? Each requires a unique cleaner. The wrong cleaner could cause permanent damage to the surface.
Which type of paint do I have? What kind of paint do you have? Your bike likely has a layer of clear coat on top of the paint if it is older. Maybe it is an older bike with only one layer of paint. Both require different approaches.
Mike says that the most important thing to do when cleaning your bike is to read the packaging instructions carefully. Look at the information provided by the manufacturer about the product. You should carefully consider what it was designed for and ensure it is right for you and your job.
Think about your goals when cleaning your bike. Are you just looking to maintain a clean bike, or are you trying to make it look showier? This will impact how much time, money, and effort you spend.
Mike recommends a three-step method to get you started:
1. Assess the situation. How do you want your bike to look? Which condition is it?
2. Select the right products
3. Make sure you use the correct cleaning methods.
Motorcycles, unlike cars, have many exposed components and materials that can get dirty. They also need to be cleaned regularly.
Do not wash a motorcycle if the engine is still hot. While it is okay to wash the motorcycle if the engine is cool enough to be touched without getting burned, it is best to clean the bike when it is completely cold.
For the same reason, always clean your bike in the shade. Water contaminants, such as mineral deposits and salts, are more aggressive when warm. If water is sprayed onto hot bikes, these water spots will become more difficult to get rid of.
Mike explains that people need to use special water with common minerals to stop watermarks. But that is not true. It’s important to ensure that your bike isn’t too hot or in direct sunlight. It’s much easier to work on cool surfaces.
Mike recommends three products for achieving a clean, beautiful finish.
1. A good washing.
It should be between 6-8 pH. If it is too acidic or too alkaline, it could cause damage to your paint. It should be safe for all types of paint.
2. Compound.
Use a trusted compound to remove swirls and scuff marks from the paintwork. You should only use modern paint finishes-specific compounds. Never use a compound with a matte finish. It will damage the paint.
3. Wax.
It acts like sunscreen and protects your paint with a UV barrier. To maintain this protection, the wax must be applied regularly.
Mike says that you can apply polish between the wax and wash stages. Some people sometimes like it, but it does not remove paint swirls or add protection. Polish gives darker colours a darker, deeper finish.
He continues, “Another option is to use a paint detailer regularly.” It’s a wax lubricant that will remove dirt and dust. This is a quick and easy method to improve your bike’s appearance. However, it is important to clean the bike well for the spray detailer to work. Spray detailer can be applied and then wiped off. It cleans, waxes, and does a little of everything. Its greatest advantage is its time-saving ability.
You can use a pressure washer to clean your bike if it is filthy.
Be careful. Motorcycles are not waterproof, but they are water-resistant. High-pressure water is used for the wheel rims, under the fenders and around the engine. You can use pressure washers to great effect, but be careful how you use them.
Be careful where you spray. You could cause more harm than good.
High-pressure water should be kept away from electrics, cockpits, bearings, and other components.
Detail brushes are key to reaching hard-to-reach areas.
You should also pay attention to your wheels. Some wheel cleaners can cause damage to paint and corrode metal.
While some wheel cleaners might appear to remove brake dust and road grime in one go, they can cause a lot more damage. It is better to use a cleaner that is less acidic or alkaline and work with your hands. You will get the same results.
It’s worth investing in a separate cloth for your wheels to prevent the transfer of highly abrasive brake dust onto your bike.
Drying the bike is the final step. This can be done by hand using a microfiber cloth. If you need to move things quickly, use compressed air or a leaf blower.
The use of compressed air allows for quick drying.
Mike says that air is your friend when you’re a motorcycle dealer. It prevents water spots and can be accessed in tight places to ensure it’s 100% dry.
After the bike is dry, you can decide to fix paint swirls and scuff marks. Quality is key, so make sure you buy clear-coat paint-compatible compounds.
This will make you look great.
It can be applied to a small paint area and then buffed with a soft cloth. Buffer pads can be purchased at a low price to fit any standard power drill. These pads speed up the process.
Apply a coat wax to give the bike auster and protect its paintwork. You should immediately wipe off any wax applied to matte surfaces or parts made of bare plastic. Otherwise, it will leave white marks.
