Motorcycles have a variety of upholstery, including coated leather and high-quality vinyl that feels like leather. These materials require special cleaners and protectants.

Motorbikes also have chrome parts that should be polished to a shine. Keeping the bike clean not only improves its appearance but also makes mechanical problems easier to spot. Contact Motorcycle Detailing Perth for professional help.

A motorcycle’s paint and chrome are highly exposed, so they can be especially vulnerable to oxidation and corrosion. This is why it’s important to wash and rinse them frequently. This will help the bike look better and also keep it safe to ride.

Start by rinsing the entire vehicle with a garden hose or even just a bucket of water. This gets off the large pieces of dirt, and it prevents them from scratching your paint when you wipe it down with a cloth or sponge.

During this step, you’ll want to pay special attention to the leading edges of your controls and other components that face forward. They’ll likely have more bugs and grime on them than other areas of the bike. It’s a good idea to rinse your brush or sponge out often, too, as you go. This helps avoid transferring dirt from the dirty parts of the bike to the clean ones.

The next step is to clean the bike using a mild soap, either a liquid bike-wash soap or a gentle dish washing detergent. Don’t use harsh household cleaners as they can strip the wax coating on your bike and cause damage to its paint. You’ll need to rinse the soap thoroughly, too, and you may want to use a second bucket of water for this purpose.

Once the bike is thoroughly cleaned, it’s time to dry it. The first thing you’ll need to do is remove the spark plugs and the oil filter. You’ll want to take special care around the battery and any electrical connections, as they’ll be very sensitive to water.

You’ll also want to cover the radiator, as any acid that gets into it can damage the paint and the metal. Finally, you’ll need to reinstall the side covers, saddlebags and any other bodywork that was removed during the cleaning process.

Degrease

Even if you have taken the time to wash your motorcycle with soap and water, there is still likely dirt and grime that has bonded to the surface of the paint. This is why it is important to degrease your bike after you wash it.

Using the degreaser that is recommended for your motorcycle, spray it liberally over the areas with a bad buildup of grease and oil. Give the degreaser a few minutes to work and then use your scrub brush and a little elbow grease to get those hard-to-reach areas. When you are done, rinse and dry thoroughly with a microfiber towel.

After you have rinsed and dried your motorcycle, it is a good idea to protect its rubber components with a high quality rubber protectant to help keep the sun from damaging them. This is particularly true on the seat and any other areas where the bike will be parked outdoors, like the fenders. A motorcycle cleaner with built in UV protection will help to keep the rubber components in good condition.

It is a good idea to use a cleaner that also provides UV protection for the dash of your motorcycle as well. Keeping this area clean will not only make your motorcycle look better, but it will also help to prevent the cracking and discoloration that can occur over time.

One of the biggest advantages of detailing your motorcycle regularly is that it can help to increase its resale value. Potential buyers will be more likely to pay top dollar for a clean, shiny motorcycle that is in good working condition.

Taking the time to clean your motorcycle can make it easier and more fun to ride. Plus, it will help to protect your investment and extend the life of your motorcycle. So if you haven’t done so lately, take the time to wash your motorcycle and degrease it, then polish it up and protect it with a coat of protective wax. It will be well worth the effort.

Polish

The paintwork of a motorcycle is more fragile than that of a car. That’s one of the reasons it’s so important to polish it often – it protects it and keeps it looking its best. The other reason is that bikes tend to have more intricate metal parts than cars – and they need special attention to make sure they shine.

When polishing the painted surfaces, be careful not to get too close to the edges and curves of the body. It’s also a good idea to work in the shade if possible, as bright sunlight can cause the polish to dry too quickly and leave water spots.

Once the polished areas are smooth and glossy, you can move on to the chrome and other non-painted surfaces. For chrome, it’s important to use a product designed for the type of metal that it is (not all chrome products are created equal). The same goes for other non-painted finishes on the bike – using a product made for plastic or rubber will help you avoid dulling them. If you have leather seats or handlebars, it’s a good idea to use a conditioner or reviver to keep them soft and flexible.

After you’ve buffed the chrome and other non-painted areas, apply a coat of wax to help protect your hard work. Waxing your bike will also give it a deeper, more reflective shine that will look like it just came out of the showroom.

Be careful when applying the wax – it’s a good idea to buff it with small circular motions and moderate pressure. Don’t forget to wipe away any excess wax that finds its way into the crevices or around the emblems – this can dry out and damage them. Once the wax is buffed to a haze, your motorcycle will have a shiny, showroom-quality finish that will last. And it’ll feel and ride better, too! It’s well worth the effort.

Clean the Chain

The chain is the grimiest part of a motorcycle, and it’s essential to start the detailing process by cleaning it. Many professional detailers use a special bike-chain cleaner, but you can use the same products that you would for your car engine (but never spray the chain directly with a pressure washer, as this can loosen the components of the chain).

If you don’t clean your chain, it will quickly wear out and need replacement, and it may even affect your riding experience by creating a rattle or buzzing sound from the loose, misaligned chain. You should also scrub the sprockets to remove any dirt that’s accumulated, and a toothbrush or chain-specific brush works well for this.

Some motorcyclists skip this step, but lubricating the chain is an important part of detailing and helps your motorcycle perform at its best. If the chain isn’t lubricated, it will wear out three to four times faster than one that is properly oiled.

A lubricated chain will also improve the efficiency of your motorcycle, as it won’t have to work so hard to transmit power. This will give your ride a smoother, more consistent feel, and it will also reduce the amount of wear on the rear sprockets.

After you’ve scrubbed your chain and sprockets with a toothbrush or a chain-specific brush, put the motorcycle on its center stand or paddock / chain lube stand. Then move the rear wheel by hand slowly to see if the chain is smooth and free-moving at all times. If it’s tight at some spots, you need to clean and re-lube the chain.

Once your bike is clean and lubed, it’s ready to shine. Whether you’re heading out to the next bike night or looking to sell it, a meticulously detailed bike will get more attention and draw a higher price than an unsightly, grimy one. Remember that it takes time and patience to do a good job, but the rewards are worth it!