Motorcycle Detailing Tips – Getting Your Baby Clean
You may have just pulled your bike out of winter storage or for whatever reason the bike needs a good cleaning. If you want to get your baby shining like new, here’s how:
- Prep the bike for a good wash and wax:
- Lift the bike and secure it on a motorcycle jack (this allows for undercarriage access).
- Cover all exposed electronics (taping a plastic bag works).
- Cover all exposed air intakes (cover the carburetor and fuel injection intake).
- Spray the bike with a hose, get it good and wet:
- Use a clean sponge and good quality car wash soap (lather it up real well)
- Make sure to get every nook and cranny (with the bike lifted, you can rotate the wheels).
- If your drivetrain has some grease build up, you can use a degreaser (let it sit for 5 minutes, then rinse it off with water).
- Rinse the entire bike.
- Dry the bike with a microfiber cloth:
- Make sure to dry every nook and cranny.
- Removing the seat and easy accessory coverings will make it much easier to polish the paint.
- If your bike has some age, the paint may have swirl marks or scratches. Use rubbing compound made for light scratches. Apply just like wax until the entire service has a dry film. The hard part is rubbing it off with a good microfiber cloth. When you’re done the paint should have more shine and some scratches should disappear.
Protect the paint with a good Carnauba wax. Apply until there is a dry film covering all of the paint. Rub the film off with a microfiber cloth and your paint should shine like new. You can then put the seat and coverings back on the bike.
- Protect your seat with a conditioner for vinyl or leather.
- Clean and polish your windshield with a manufacturer recommended cleaner. Windex may not work on a plastic windshield.
- Clean chrome and aluminum with a metal polish. Protect both of them with a good waxing. A spoke cleaner will help with getting in between those tricky spokes.
- Do not use tire dressing because it can cause the tire to lose traction. Motorcycle tires are rounded, car tires are more square. The edge of a motorcycle tire is where most turning occurs and traction should be optimal.
Once your bike is shining and pristine, take it out for a spin. If it is covered in bugs, you had a good time. As they say, wash, rinse and repeat!
This site and articles contained herein are provided for general informational purposes only and are not a substitute or intended as professional advice. Please be sure to refer to your owner’s manual or consult a mechanic for information specific to your motorcycle. The information contained on this site and articles contained herein are provided on an “as is” basis with no guarantees of completeness, accuracy, usefulness or timeliness and without any warranties of any kind whatsoever, express or implied. Rider Insurance Company and its affiliates (together, “Rider”) assume no responsibility for any errors or omissions in the content of this site and articles contained herein. Any action taken upon this information is strictly at your own risk and Rider will not be liable for any losses or damages in connection with your use of this site and articles. Additional terms and conditions apply and are available at https://www.rider.com/plymouth-rock-assurance-general-terms-and-conditions/.