Motorcycle cleaning/polishing advice Please

[swirl-free]

First Post here folks, so please be gentle

I searched and read archives and found enough info and more to satisfy inquisitive minds on Car maintainence... I to thou all

However mobike detailing info is not so easy to find specially if you have a German/Italian/Japanese crotch rocket.

I have a BMW with fairing which looks like below (except for color which is silver and blue). I wash and wax it with #26. Note that all the fairing including the tank is plastic.

[IMG]http://archive.meguiarsonline.com

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/gallery/uploads/6250/k1200rs.JPG

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Question is .. to keep the fairing (or plastic if you like) looking new, what Meguire products can I use ?

For the cars I intend to use the following applied with a PC or hand

1. Clay
2. Cleaner
3. Pure Polish
4 #26 Wax

Can I use the above combination for the bike also ? Anyone use a PC on a bike fairing ?

For the windshield I use the M10 & 17 and plastic detailer and it works beautifully except that it does not take out the scratch on the windshield.

[black240sx]

The fairings are painted using automotive type paint, so you can use the same process on them as on your car.

A PC works well on the areas that it can reach.

[Lydia]

I don't know if this will help any, but I'll post it in hopes that it might be some good to you. What I did on a 2000 Honda ST1100 is Deep Crystal Wax, Color-X, Deep Crystal Polish, and then Deep Crystal Wax. It made the paint look really good. I also used a little scratch-X where there was a little paint transfer on the mirror from bumping mirrors with a car.

PS It's spelled ferring not fairing

[danielsan]

I used to work in a motorcycle shop, even the technical manuals spelled it fairing.

[swirl-free]

Lydia,

Do you apply by hand or a tool ? I know the ST has quite a lot of surface area.

Also, did you "clay" the paint at all ? Any side affects of that ?

I am thinking, to get the original sparkle back, claying will be key to get the contaminants out, before polish and wax

Thanks

[Lydia]

Originally posted by danielsan
I used to work in a motorcycle shop, even the technical manuals spelled it fairing.

Wow. Hmm. I've always seen it spelled ferring. But I could very well be wrong lol.


Swirl:

I applied everything by hand. It took maybe 1.5-2 hours to do all that to it.

I didn't clay it since the paint is in excellent condition and very smooth. The ST is garage kept except when parked at work, and then it sometimes has a cover over it. It is also kept clean and waxed usually.

Probably for yours it would be a good idea to clay it. I plan to do that to a Gold Wing that I need to detail (talk about a lot of surface area on a motorcycle!), so if I get it done before you do yours, I can give you some tips if you want me to.

-Lydia

[Murr1525]

As far as claying goes, remember that most anything can be clayed. After doing your paint, your windshield, trim/controls, wheels, and auminum pieces can all be clayed to get the bonded on stuff off.

Just be sure everything is cool, and rinse then dry everything off after.

Lydia --
I am not quite sure on your order of products.. did you right that out in order? You kind of repeated steps a bit more than you really needed to, but I am sure it helped make sure every step was perfect.

You should be able to use:

1. Wash
2. Clay as needed
3. DC Cleaner / ScratchX as needed
4. DC Polish
5. DC Wax

or:

1. Wash
2. Clay as needed
3. ColorX
4. DC Wax

Just to cut out a step so you dont have to repeat yoruself.

[Freeway Flyer]

2 year old Harley Ultra Classic, with 26,000 miles. Finish really got beat up trying to gets bugs off fairing, (soaked and set with wet towel, rinsed, used Meguiars Bug Remover, clayed with Meguiars bar and lots of Quick Detail,) now trying to bring finish back. Used Swirl Remover 2.0 #9, filled in a little bit of the swirls and scratches, brought gloss up. Topped with Liquid Cleaner/Wax, looks a little better. Should I start over with the Scratchx, or followup with the #26, as recommended by the instructions on the bottle of #9?

[Murr1525]

Working by hand, ScratchX will be able to better remove the more stubborn swirls.

Be sure to read:

How to remove a defect by hand with ScratchX

[Freeway Flyer]

Thanks, I read that Scratchx link before I posted. I should have been a little clearer on where I was going with the question. I had been using the Gold Class Liquid wax, and I was wondering if I should stay with that product, or finish with the #26. Also, all the work I do on the bike is by hand. Too many curves and tight spots, to use a machine.

[Freeway Flyer]

Scratchx worked really well. Next question, is can I use Swirl Remover 2.0, #9, (which says on the bottle that it includes a wax) instead of DC 1, then proceed on with DC 2 & 3?

[ep3]

Anyone use a PC on a bike fairing ?

NO.
I always apply by hand.
This is my bike: 1986 gsxr750.
Paint brought back to life 2 years ago by Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner.
Not bad for 20 years old .

Currently all I use is
#7 Show Car Glaze
#26 Hi-Tech Yellow Wax

[gb387]

Looks great, I agree not to bad for a 20 year old bike! Nice work.

[Murr1525]

I havent read the back of a #9 bottle, but it would surprise me if it said it includes a wax.

#9 is a cleaner/polish, so it is able to cover both of those steps. If you used #9, you would not need to use DC#1 at all. Some folks still like to use a pure polish, like DC#2, but it is optional, and up to you. See if you can tell the difference with and without.

You mentioned using Gold Class, #26, and DC#3. You can use any of these products as you wax step, all work really well. Remember 2 thin coats is best.

[Tim Lingor]

Originally posted by Freeway Flyer
Scratchx worked really well. Next question, is can I use Swirl Remover 2.0, #9, (which says on the bottle that it includes a wax) instead of DC 1, then proceed on with DC 2 & 3?

Hey,

Meguiar's #9 Swirl Remover is a cleaner/polish and does not have wax in it.

After the ScratchX, you can use the #9 to further refine the finish and to add more gloss and depth. Then top with two coats of NXT, Gold Class etc...

Tim