Detailing a motorcycle

[Fech]

Does anyone have any product recommendations for doing motorcycles? Cleaners, polishes, finishing. I know that motorcycles are a different beast, that's why I figured I'd ask. Thanks in advance.

 

[Mike Phillips]

Does anyone have any product recommendations for doing motorcycles? Cleaners, polishes, finishing. I know that motorcycles are a different beast, that's why I figured I'd ask. Thanks in advance.

Apologies for the late reply, I try to unplug on weekends.

First - I'm not a motorcycle detailer. Never was, never want to be. I washed a few bikes in my day, but only ONE time did I ever do a FULL detail on a Harley Davidson motorcycle, and it just wasn't my kind of thing. My friend Rob joined me and actually did most of the work while I took pictures to write an in-depth article on how to detail a Harley Davidson Motorcycle.

Rob is at least one of the top 10, if not the number #1 Harley Davidson specific detailers on planet Earth. I learned a lot working with him and after the detail, I have a much great respect for anyone that is or becomes a motorcycle detailer. Too much OCD type detailing for this guy.

Rob The Harley Detailer


Alas, this was while I was with 3D, showcasing all 3D products, and after Tunch sold 3D to a private equity group who then went on to break our contract, I left 3D and never processed the pictures. Would have been an epic how-to article.

Most automotive detailing products will work just fine for motorcycle detailing. I know you want to be careful about any products like degreasers when using around flat black or black wrinkle-finish painted components on some motorcycles.

Also, from what I've read and heard, it seems like the paint used for Harley Davidson's tends to be on the soft side. I don't know about Hondas and all the rest. So just like detailing cars, when doing any paint correction on painted panels, you want to start with a Test Spot. Then dial in and prove your system to one small area before tackling the entire bike.


Here's a really old video with Bryan Fuller and myself, and yes, S100 does make some great products to safely clean and detail motorcycles.

Mike

 

[Mike Phillips]

Here's an even more lame video I shot with Yancy behind the camera and an old co-worker at Autogeek. Funny thing, or rather sad thing is, neither one of us is actually a motorcycle rider or motorcycle detailer.

Part 1 - Mike Phillips and Bobby Britt detail a Harley Davidson Motorcycle with S100 Products - 67,265 views Aug 28, 2010

Part 2 - Mike Phillips and Bobby Britt detail a Harley Davidson Motorcycle with S100 Products - 15,526 views Aug 28, 2010

Mike

 

[Fech]

Thank you very much for the reply. Don’t blame you on unplugging on the weekends. I was thinking about the s100, just wanted to see if you has anything new you knew of. Will watch the videos. Thanks again