Cleaning and Detailing

This section is a work in progress and will be dedicated to the art of cleaning and detailing a motorcycle.

Cleaning a bike can be quite complex as unlike a car, has lots more small bits that you have to lay all over the floor to sort out.

I started this guide more for myself as I have a multitude of cleaning products & chemicals and I would like a nice list of what to do first.

Collecting items

Now this will depend on many things, I like the Autoglym range as I used it on my last two cars and have had no problems plus they sell the stuff everywhere so it no problem getting hold of, not the cheapest but you do get great results and you know they won't hurt your bikes finish..

http://www.autoglym.com

 

Jet Wash?

Jet washes are way to powerful for motorcycle cleaning a it could force water into bearings, chain links etc... I wouldn't recommend them, so what else is there?

A garden water sprayer is much better, you get a lance with a trigger activated on/off, makes a small amount a water go a long way.

Wilko Pressure Sprayer 8ltr - £13.00 (Wilkinsons), this holds eight litres of water which is more than enough to wash a motorbike multiple times.

Wilko Pressure Sprayer 8ltr

Wilko Spray Bottle 960ml is only £0.58 (Wilkinsons), Ideal for getting water in the right places with out it going everywhere.

Wilko Spray Bottle 960ml

 

Preparation

As with any cleaning job it's all in the preparation.

If your bike has a centre stand, this will make it easier to clean as you can rotate the rear wheel and the bike is upright.

  1. Cleaning the exhaust header pipes is much easier with the Sub Cowling (Belly Pan) removed, it's only four screws, plus it makes it easier cleaning the Sub Cowling itself.
  2. Wet the bike down the remove any lose dirt and to also soak into any dirt that's there.

     

Optiglanz

Water

WD40

Chain Cleaner

Degreaser (Oil)

Degreaser (Water)

HG Bike Cleaner

Water

Shampoo

ACF50

Profi Dry Lube

Brake Cleaner

Wax Polish

Extra Gloss Protection

Plastic and Vinyl

Fast Glass

Nevr-dull

 

 

Engine and Frame

 

Panels

Clean with a good bike shampoo and clean sponge.

Wheels

Careful not to wash the balance weight off!!!

Wax the rims.

 

Finishing and Detailing

This is where you can make a clean bike stand out from the rest.

  1. Wax all the panels with a good wax, use a polish if the paints looking a little tired of lightly scratched.
  2. Use Fast Glass on the Headlights, Front Screen, Mirrors, Clocks, Indicator, Rear Lights, Number Plate Light. Do not use polish on these parts as polish removes material and will dull them over time.