Motorcycle detain is time consuming so have a rolling stool and a pad to kneel on, and a scissor lift if you intend detailing motorbikes on a regular basis
Random Orbital Polisher
Griot's Garage - Professional Random Orbital 3 Inch Polisher gives you the feel and performance of a larger polisher in a compact size that goes anywhere, even those tight spots. Use the Griot's Garage Professional Random Orbital 3 Inch Polisher for motorcycles. It polishes painted areas easily, polishes up chrome, and applies wax quickly. Just select the appropriate 3 inch Griot's Garage foam pad for the job. The included 3- inch backing plate accommodates any hook and loop pad.
Foam Pads
3M Perfect-It 3-inch Foam Buffing Pads for polishing and refining paint after sanding they have a convoluted design that "breathes", meaning air can pass under the pad. The passage of air breaks the surface tension so the pad glides more easily over the paint. As you work, the pad holds the polish better than a flat pad to reduce splatter and product waste.
Metal Surface Polishing
It is important to be able to recognise the different metal finishes used as some OEM use different materials (stainless steel, polished chrome and etc) before choosing a product to clean or polish any metal surface you must be certain of the material used, as the correct care product requirements are vastly different. If in doubt as to the material used consult the manufacturer
· Aluminum alloys- aluminum is the predominant metal, typical alloying elements are copper, zinc, manganese, silicon, and magnesium. There are two principal classifications, namely casting alloys and wrought alloys-dull looking metal colour. Do not use P21 Total Auto Wash or S100 Bike Wash undiluted as it may discolour aluminium.
· Magnesium alloy (Mags)- light weight and usually a very bright metal
· Anodized aluminum - many metals are structurally weakened by the oxidation process, but not aluminum. It can actually be made stronger and more durable through a process called 'anodizing'.
· Chrome (plating) - often referred to simply as chrome, is a technique of electroplating a thin layer of chromium onto a metal object
· Stainless steel – also known as inox steel from French "inoxydable", is defined as a steel alloy
· Wheel spokes - before polishing spokes make sure they're chrome, OEM spokes are thin cadmium plated and using an abrasive polish aggressively will remove the cadmium.
Cleanliness is Critical
Starting with a clean surface is the most important part of the polishing process. Any dirt on the wheel will be mixed in with the polish and will scratch while you are polishing. Wash and rinse the surface with a citrus based product (P21S Total Auto Wash or (P21s Polishing Soap-not intended for use on painted, clear coated or anodized surfaces) thoroughly dry the surface and wipe down with a solvent-based (DuPont PrepSol)
• Keep this area clean and free of used buffing pads and soiled cloths. A build-up of solvents, metal shavings and oil can be hazardous.
• Work in well ventilated areas.
• Do not use polishes that contain anhydrous solvents, ammonia or acids on aluminium, brass, copper or bronze. These chemicals attack zinc and alloys, which are normally present in these metals.
• Clean the surface before you begin polishing. Even dust can cause scratching when rubbed across a surface.
• Work small areas at a time on large jobs as it's faster and it will give you a more consistent finish.
• Apply light pressure and take your time when applying polish or compounds. Let your machine and product do the work.
• Polish in the direction of the grain if the metal is rolled.
• Wipe down surface with isopropyl alcohol (IPA) between buffing steps to remove cleaning residue. Buffing pad lines or polish residue in seams can be removed with flour.
• Wiping cloths should have no labels or sewn edges with plastic thread.
• Lightly mist the surface with distilled water before the final buffing step. This seals both metal and wax, and helps reduce future water staining from rain and condensation.
All of the English Custom Metal Polishes (ECP) is highly concentrated for less waste. They contain micro abrasives to eliminate tedious rubbing, and wax protectants to retard oxidation. They offer one of the few true polishes for stainless steel. ECP has a reputation for excellent professional quality metal polishes and polishing supplies
Menzerna Polishing Cream
For all metals, precious metals, and plastics, the creamy metal polishes works without abrasives to remove oxidation and stains to uncover a brilliant reflective shine. Remove tarnish and discoloration from motorcycle pipes and forks the nonabrasive formula will gently clean and polish chrome without scratching. Leaves a clear protective film over the polished surface to prevent tarnishing, metal surfaces stay clean, shiny, and smooth with regular use
Exhaust Tailpipe
Spray down the inside and outside of the tips with P21S Total Auto Wash or P21S Polishing Soap, allow to dwell, it will to start break down the grime. To clean the outside parts of the exhaust use either a Mini E-Z Detail brush (they are perfect for cleaning the areas between dual-tips) or an old micro fibre used strictly for dirty jobs and Optimum Metal Polish.
Use #0000 synthetic steel wool (very fine grade) with the P21S Total Auto Wash to clean out the insides of the exhaust tips. Polish using P21S Polishing Soap (not intended for use on painted, clear coated or anodized surfaces) and/or Optimum Metal Polish and #0000 synthetic steel wool on the insides of the tips Now move on to the outside of the tips once again with Optimum Metal Polish and an older microfiber towel that is no longer used for the painted surfaces, ensure to polish with the grain.
Chrome Exhaust
[Chrome plating is a finishing treatment utilizing the electrolytic deposition of chromium. The most common form of chrome plating is the thin, decorative bright chrome, which is typically a 10-µm layer over an underlying nickel plate. When plating on iron or steel, an underlying plating of copper allows the nickel to adhere. The pores (tiny holes) in the nickel and chromium layers also promote corrosion resistance.
Bright chrome imparts a mirror-like finish to items such as metal furniture frames and automotive trim. Thicker deposits, up to 1000 µm, are called hard chrome and are used in industrial equipment to reduce friction and wear.] [1]
Use caution as the chrome plating is usually thin. Using chrome cleaner will remove the dulling that a car wash concentrate can’t. Apply a chrome cleaner (Semichrome or Mother’s Mag and Aluminium Polish) to a cool, dry exhaust, do not let the cleaner dry on the surface, for stubborn stains use #0000 synthetic steel wool and the metal polish.
To clean exhaust piping use a polishing powder (Blue Coral Blue Buster) to remove ‘blue’ from exhaust pipes wet towel and polish, it will not scratch chrome, can also be used on brass and stainless steel. Clean exhaust piping with Luster Strips. Protect the exhaust with a polymer (Zoopseal) sealant (See also Chrome / Stainless Steel Exhaust)
Recommended products-
Cleaning- any uncoated, non-ferrous metal surface – brass, gold, silver, aluminium, magnesium, pewter, chrome, sterling, copper, stainless steel – can be brought to a brilliant shine using Simichrome.
Protection - Zoopseal protects unfinished, brushed or polished steel, stainless steel, brass, aluminium and chrome parts from oxidation and eliminates the need for repeat polishing and extensive cleaning
Stainless Steel Exhaust Tips / Pipe
To clean exhaust piping use a polishing powder (Blue Coral Blue Buster or Blu-Job) to remove ‘blue’ from exhaust pipes wet towel and polish, it will not scratch chrome, can also be used on brass and stainless steel.
For exhaust pipe polishing -use a strip impregnated with a metal polish (Luster Strips) (See also Chrome / Stainless Steel Exhaust) protect the exhaust components with a polymer sealant (ZoopSeal)
Information resource-
• Metal Polishing Secrets - http://www.topoftheline.com/metal-polishing-secrets.html
Chrome
Chrome is by far the most common bright work on motorcycles as it holds a shine better than all other metals. Chrome has a single enemy: rust. Over time, chrome oxidizes and develops rust spots. The higher quality the chrome plating, the more it will resist rusting, but eventually, it will happen. If you allow the chrome to go too long without removing the rust, the chrome will become permanently pitted.
Removing rust and polishing chrome can usually restore chrome to a reasonable looking condition. If the rust simply coats, and is not deeply embedded, the chrome should come back to life. As long as the chrome is not flaking off, you have a chance of saving it.
This Larin Jack comes with a 4 point adapter, 2 tie-downs, and a "T" handle, and has a capacity of 1,500 lbs, a low "down" profile of 2 ½ - inch, permitting access under very low clearance vehicles, and includes the safety adapter, which permits lifting from four points on the frame, each cradled and secured, includes a foot pedal release and outrigger stabilizers that hinge away to a stowed position in the frame.
Washing / Cleaning Process
· Use a tar remover / degreaser to remove dirt / grime from lower areas and wheels
· Low pressure water rinse (be careful with water around electrical units (for the ECM, fuse boxes etc use a damp micro fibre towel, and / or Q-tips or swabs).
· Use S100 Engine Brightener on wrinkle black engine and transmission cases.
· Wash with a car wash concentrate (S100 Cycle Wash or P21S Total Auto Wash) and a lamb’s wool mitt. For wheels use an EZ Detail Brush
· Detailer’s clay to remove brake dust and bugs.
· Dry the bike with using plush towels and a forced air drying machine which is a must when detailing a bike
· Protect / lube the chain using Wurth chain lube.
· The best instant bug remover I have used is Autoglym Active Insect Remover
· Don’t use any rubber dressings on hand or foot controls as you may lose you’re grip
· An Optimum no-rinse (ONR) wash works well on grips and hand controls, footboards/pegs, brake pedal and tyres, it tends to darken them slightly but it does clean them thoroughly.
· Use a matte non-slip protection for seating areas (you don't want weight shift on the seat in the middle of leaning over in a turn).
· Tyres - scrub white walls with steel wool brush and ad-limonene (citrus) based cleaner P21S Total Auto Wash (tyre dressings have no place anywhere near a motorcycle tire, even on a minuscule sidewall) it will cause the tyre to lose traction and the bike will become unstable
· Use a clean low pressure water rinse
· Blow dry with forced air blower to remove any water residue
· Polish paint surfaces using a suitable abrasive polish / pad combination. Most motorcycle clear coats are ‘soft’- use a Griot's Garage Professional 3" Random Orbital and a Lake County (LC) Red foam with Menzerna PF4000 and then follow with PF 4500, check surface with a isopropyl alcohol (IPA) wipe-down process
· Clean all leather surfaces including saddle bags and then apply Leather Master Vital to ensure they remain soft, and then use a leather protection (not a conditioner)
· Clean all bright work (see specific sections).
· Paint protection use a wipe-on walk-away polymer (Zaino Z-8 or Pinnacle Souverän™ Liquid Spray Wax)
Engine Cleaning
Break down the grease and grime by applying a quality degreaser/cleaner using modern detergent technology. You can use it all over the motorcycle; it works wonders for detailing the engine. P21S Total Auto Wash a d-limonene (citrus) based cleaner gets at all the sticky grime and greasy sludge. Containing a blend of five different powerful cleaners, it is formulated to break down the molecules that compose sticky materials. The result is a fast-acting, easy-to-use formula that removes all contaminants from your motorcycle.
All to dwell on the components for a few minutes to soften and loosen the grime by using a mini EZ Detail Brush to break up areas of major contamination then rinse off the cleaner thoroughly. There’s no need to blast the motorcycle with water, free-flowing water will work just fine.
After drying, let the engine run for a few minutes to dry up any remaining moisture. Once the engine has cooled, start applying protection to plastic shields, wires and hoses (303™ Aerospace Protectant) on all these surfaces. S100 Engine Brightener is formulated specifically for black components and will restore a like-new appearance to all black plastic, paint and rubber.
Lexan® Polycarbonate
Is a registered trademark of SABIC Innovative Plastics; a highly durable polycarbonate resin thermoplastic intended to replace traditional glass and Plexiglas where the need for strength and impact resistance justifies its higher cost.
After washing and drying the surface; use Plexus® Plastic Cleaner to clean and protect the surface. It will seal the tint material and keep it clean. It contains anti-static so it repels the dust and dirt normally attracted to plastic.
It also leaves an invisible, micro-thin layer of protection, sealing the porous surface, making it more resistant to dirt, dust and other contaminants. Regular use will help prevent crazing, yellowing and oxidation which diminishes the plastic's lustre, and appearance, non-streaking, and it dries crystal clear.
Removing scratches from polycarbonate (vehicle headlights or brake lights), in the late 1980’s, vehicle manufacturers changed the lighting lens system materials used for head lights from glass to Lexan. Eventually the lens starts to exhibit an opaque appearance and then a yellow hue on the outside of the lenses due to ultra violet radiation (UVR) and / or surface scratches this can severely restrict the amount of light reaching the road.
Original equipment material (OEM) suppliers started to add a UVR protection to the surface of the lens in an attempt to reduce this condition and prolong the usable life of the lens
Micro- Surface Finishing Products – Micromesh® http://209.85.229.132/search?q=cache:qwGhhbh1rgwJ:www.micro-surface.com/+Micro-+Surface+Finishing+Products+%E2%80%93+Micromesh%C2%AE&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=uk
Product specific – Plexus Plastic Cleaner, Protectant and Polish -it cleans and polishes instrument panels and other plastics with ease, leaving all plastic surfaces feeling new. It also fills in the plastic's micro pores with a thin layer of protection that has anti-static properties. The anti-static properties help repel dust and other contaminates, so your plastic is cleaner for longer. Perfect for all plastic surfaces such as gauges, navigation/DVD screens, headlights, taillights, and plastic windows on convertibles
Renovo LP Aero Plastics - acrylic polish and sealant, a no-wax, non-yellowing formula containing polyethylene polymers; this product gives a super slick surface to your acrylic windshield and windows, used extensively on light aircraft.
Headlight Restoration
In the late 1980’s, vehicle manufacturers changed the lighting lens system materials used for head lights from glass to Lexan™ polycarbonate. Eventually the lens starts to exhibit an opaque appearance and then a yellow hue on the outside of the lenses due to ultra violet radiation (UV) and / or surface scratches this can severely restrict the amount of light reaching the road. Original equipment material (OEM) suppliers started to add a UVR protection to the surface of the lens in an attempt to reduce this condition and prolong the usable life of the lens
Removing Oxidation or scratches from Vehicle headlights or brake lights (polycarbonate)
Use these products for finishing plastics, acrylics, Lexan™ polycarbonates, Bakelite, urethanes, composites, and more. Abrasive colours of this product range from dark grey to light grey.
This material can be used wet or dry, is made with a flexible cotton backing with polymer emulsion cushioning layer and large micron graded silicon carbide crystals suspended in an ultra flexible resin bond. Grades 8000 and 12000 are made with aluminium oxide crystals.
This material is available in the following grades, from course to fine: 2400, 3200 and 3600 grit, 4000, 6000, 8000, and 12K grit are also available.
Product specific - Scientific Instrument Services, Inc. - http://www.sisweb.com/micromesh/headlight_kits.htm
Infrared Radiation
Infrared radiation represents part of the ultra violet solar spectrum (approximately 55%-60%). The remaining heat source comes from visible and ultra violet (UV) light
Heat alone will not cause photo degeneration (fading) UVB radiation is what is responsible, although infrared radiation (IR) will dry the resin (binder system) in paint; leading to oxidation. It will also dry out the oils and plasticizers in vinyl and other materials and may lead to structural damage
Protection from the Elements
The best way to keep a motorcycle in great condition is to protect it from the elements. Covercraft outdoor covers provide maximum protection against sun, rain, bird and tree droppings, dirt and dust. Covers also hide the motorcycle from view, helping to prevent theft. Covercraft covers are available in eleven semi-tailored sizes, including two designed exclusively for large cruisers. All covers feature steel reinforced grommets, heat shield, top air vent and where applicable a windshield liner.
WeatherShield, there's never been a cover fabric this good! Our base cover fabric uses a patented immersion process that uses heat and pressure to permanently encase the high-strength polyester fibers with a special formulated finish that also places a durable, breathable barrier within the woven fabric to create a high-performance fabric that provides superior protection from the elements. Unlike traditional coatings and laminations that just protect one side of the fabric, Covercraft uses a variety of computerized process controls to place protective finishes inside the fabric.
Finally, motorcycle owners can buy a cover with a fabric that provides maximum protection, but isn't bulky and hard to store. Full covers protect the bike from sun and rain, dust, dirt, bird and tree droppings, and pollutants in the air. They're available in both our deluxe semi-custom sizes and the custom-patterned program for Harley-Davidson models. Due to the unique construction of the fabric they don't need liners or vents or even heat shields (but the bike does need to cool down for about 3 to 5 minutes).
Features and Benefits:
· Weatherproof - Fabric sheds water as soon as it hits the cover.
· Superior Dry Time - Because the fabric sheds moisture, just shake any surface moisture off the cover and it dries in minutes.
· Breathable - Allows any heat, condensation or vapors under the cover to easily escape.
· UV Resistant - Special finish additives minimize UV degradation and protect the bikes finish, seat, instrument cluster and windscreen (if applicable).
· Dust-proof - Patented fiber encapsulation process prevents dust from filtering through fabric.
· Abrasion resistant - Polymers are smooth and silky to prevent paint and windscreen abrasion.
· Easy care - Clean the cover in your home washer and dryer.
· Elastic in the hem at front and rear helps hold the cover in place.
· WeatherShield covers carry a lifetime limited warranty to the original purchaser. Covercraft will repair or replace any cover that becomes unserviceable during normal use (subject to factory inspection).
· Colours Available - Black, Gray, Tan / Taupe, Bright Blue, Light Blue, Red, Yellow, Green
The following is intended as a rough guide only - the actual size will be dependent upon specific vehicle model:-
· XN100-Touring – Fits largest size touring motorcycles, 1100cc + with equipment similar to XN-101
Example Honda GL1500/1800 Goldwing, BMW LT1200, Kawasaki Voyagers
· XN101-Touring – Fits 500 to 1100cc equipped with fairing, windshield, mirrors, saddlebags, sissy bar or backrest, travel chest & light bar.
Example Honda GL1200 Goldwing, BMW K100LT/K100RT, BMW R80R/R80RT
· XN102-Standard – Fits 500cc & up equipped with mirrors, short sissy bar, and backrest - with or without fairing, windshield, and saddlebags.
Example Triumph ST4 (with hard bags), Yamaha Virago
· XN103-Standard – Fits 400cc & up equipped with mirrors - with or without fairing, windshield, and saddlebags. Also sport bikes with taller windshields.
Example BMW R1150GS, BMW R1200C/R1200CE, Ducati ST2 (with saddlebags), Honda 750 Ace, Triumph Speed master / Trident, Moto Guzzi Centauro V10/V11
· XN104-Standard – Fits up to 750cc with or without mirrors.
Example BMW F650, Honda CBR 1100 / CM 250/450, Kawasaki 550/750 Zephyr, Suzuki GS850G, Triumph Thunderbird
· XN105-Sport - Fits most sport bikes with fairings up to 1100cc.
Example Honda VFR750/599, CBR 600 F4 / 900 RR, Suzuki GSX-R600/R750/R1000, Yamaha R1/R6, Triumph Daytona, Ducati 996, Ducati Supersport 750/900, Aprilia Sports bike models, Kawasaki Ninja 500/900/ZX600
· XN107-Cruiser - Fits most large Cruisers, 1100 to 1500cc with sissy bar / backrest & fairing.
Example Honda Valkyrie Touring (WITH sissy bar/backrest), Kawasaki Nomad,
· XN108-Cruiser - Same as above without sissy bar. Example Yamaha V Star, Honda Sabre, Moto Guzzi California
· XN109 - Sport Bikes 1100cc up
· XN110 - Chopper up to 9' 8” –
· XN111 - GL Cruiser Boss Hoss size up to 9' 3"
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