Like cars, motorcycles must be cleaned, decontaminated, enhanced, and protected. The difference lies in the special care taken for electrical components and the specialized tools and equipment used.
Motorcycle Detailing Perth and its level of cleanliness will affect the time it takes to complete a detail. Grit guards will help to keep contaminants off, and wash mitts and towels to speed up the process.
A clay bar is a great tool for yanking contaminants from your paint. It removes road grime, bird droppings, bug guts, tar, iron deposits, and more. It leaves your paintwork as smooth as glass and prepares it for polishing. However, it’s important to note that you must always use a clay bar with lubrication. Without one, you’ll scratch the car’s surface and ruin it.
A good clay lubricant will create a slippery surface for the clay to glide over the paint and protect it from scratching. A few popular options include Poorboy’s Spray and Wipe and Optimum No Rinse. The former is affordable and provides a lot of lubrication. The latter has cleaning agents and is more focused on decontamination, but it’s a little pricey.
Another thing to consider when choosing a clay lubricant is its consistency. You want a fluid that will flow easily onto the paint and be easily wiped off with your microfiber towel. Some formulas will also have additives that produce a particular effect or protect the wax you’re about to apply.
Lastly, look for clay bar lubricant in a bottle large enough to last through several applications. It’s important not to focus solely on price, as low-cost lubricants are usually not very effective and tend to come in small bottles that don’t contain enough for a single application. A high-quality product will cost more, but you’ll often get a larger bottle that can last through several applications. This will make it more economical in the long run. The best clay bar lubricant will have a clear, unscented formula that won’t leave any residue behind afterward.
Microfiber towels are the preferred towels for many professional detailers because they offer superior absorption and resistance to chemicals. They also have fine fibers that create a streak-free shine and are very good at picking up lint and dirt. Microfibers are made from a blend of polyester and polyamide and come in different weaves and thicknesses. Each type of towel is designed for a specific detailing task, such as removing wax buildup or applying coatings, cleaning wheels and tires, cleaning glass, drying quickly, and much more.
Using the wrong towels can cause scratches and swirl marks on paint and transfer contaminants to other surfaces, so it is important to use a dedicated towel for each task. Washing and drying microfibers properly is also important to keep them clean and in excellent condition. This can be done with a mild detergent or specialized cleaners like Adam’s Microfiber Revitalizer. These products are specifically formulated to remove product residues from microfibers and are far easier on them than regular household detergents.
Towels heavily contaminated with oil, grease, ceramic or graphene residue, or any other type of debris should be thrown away. If they can still be used for light work on an engine bay or other dirty job, they should stay on level 1, and lightly used towels can move to level 2.
Always make sure your microfiber towels are completely clean before each use. Doing so will prevent them from transferring contaminants to your vehicle’s finish, and it will keep the towels performing their best for you. It is recommended that you have a separate presoak bucket and laundry bin for each of the categories of microfibers you have. This way, you can wash them with the appropriate detergent and not cross-contaminate towels for different tasks.
Designed to fit in the bottom of any 3 – 5 gallon wash bucket, grit guards help prevent swirl marks caused by washing any vehicle. They have a raised radial surface that features grates for dirt particles to fall through and fins that separate the base into quadrants. This helps abrasive dirt stay at the bottom of the bucket instead of floating back up into your wash mitt or sponge. This makes it easier to rinse off your wash mitt and reduces the likelihood of reintroducing abrasive dirt back onto your paint surface.
Using a grit guard and a good quality microfiber towel is one of the best ways to keep from scratching your bike while washing it. They can also help you avoid water spots and other common problems with washing motorcycles.
The grit guard was invented by Doug Lamb to solve a problem he was having washing his red Ferrari at home. He noticed that the abrasive dirt from his wash water would transfer to his wash mitt and then be introduced back into the paint of his Ferrari, causing swirl marks.
The solution was to place a grit guard at the bottom of his wash bucket, and he has been selling millions since. A grit guard insert acts as a settling filter to prevent wash mitts from being contaminated with abrasive dirt while washing.
The grit guard is particularly effective when used with the Two-Bucket Method. This is the preferred method of washing vehicles to minimize the time you spend rinsing and reloading your wash mitt. During the cleaning process, you will rinse your mitt in the rinse bucket and then fill it with clean soap in the wash bucket. Having the grit guard in each bucket will help you keep rinsed dirt away from your paint and make sure that the pure soap is not being reintroduced to the paint of the vehicle.
The best steam cleaner for motorcycles helps you get into all the tight corners and crevices on your bike without putting in too much work. A steamer converts normal tap water into a powerful chemical-free cleaning agent. It heats up to a very high temperature and cleans the surface in just a few minutes, removing all the dirt and grime that accumulates. The steam can also disinfect the surfaces and make them look new. No wonder this is one of the most recommended products by professional detailers.
You can even use a steamer to clean your motorcycle engine. The hot steam loosens and dissolves oil and grease deposits, and the engine is left looking new. The steamer can also remove boot rubber from the tailpipes, bugs off the windscreen, and road tar from the tires. Using a steam cleaner can give your motorcycle a showroom finish and prolong the vehicle’s life.
A quality steam cleaner can help you clean your motorcycle faster, and it will not damage the paint or chrome details on the motorcycle. You can use a variety of attachments to clean different surfaces, and you can even steam the inside of the motorcycle with a special steam nozzle. Just cover the nozzle with a cloth to prevent scratching delicate surfaces.
The best steam cleaner for motorcycles is the Karcher SC5. It has a huge water tank with a wide selection of attachments. It can also reach high temperatures and provides a long cleaning hose and cord for more coverage. Professional detailers highly recommend it and will help you restore your motorcycle to a brilliant shine.
Motorcycles require a lot of special attention and care. In addition to being smaller and more exposed, they also have a lot of tight crevices that need unique cleaning methods to get thoroughly clean. The best way to get all that dirt out is with plenty of fresh, clean water. A good motorcycle detailing professional will use a gentle stream of water to rinse the bike and then wipe it down with a high-quality towel.
The first step is to find a cool spot in the shade to start the process. This is important because the heat of the sun can cause soap streaks on painted surfaces, and it can damage leather or chrome. It is also important to make sure the bike’s engine is cool before starting the cleaning. You will want to use a cleaner that is specifically made for bikes, but it’s also important to follow the instructions for your specific cleaner carefully.
After the washing, the next step is to dry the bike. It’s important to use a high-quality towel designed to absorb excess moisture quickly. It’s also a good idea to dry the bike in a well-ventilated area. This helps to prevent mold and mildew, which can damage the paint and leather.
Once the bike is dry, it’s time to polish the chrome parts and apply wax or a protective sealant. It’s important to remember that a good motorcycle detailer always applies a protective coating to the entire vehicle, including non-painted surfaces like wheels and chain guards. This helps to protect the paint from the elements and extends the life of the product. A good motorcycle detailer will also recommend a quality bike cover to help keep the paint looking great between washes.
