Need expert input on a motorcycle detail!

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Driven Auto Detail

New member
A friend of my wife wants to get her husbands Harley detailed. I've only detailed one bike and it was over a year ago and it wasn't anything big, just a basic wash & wax.



Anyway, my wife's friend would like me to give it a thorough detail. I don't need to know how to detail, but do I need to know how to handle something like vs. working on a car. Also, what would you guys charge for something like this? I go off of a $40/hr. rate in my shop FWIW. Any input would be greatly appreciated.



Here are some pics:



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Remove the saddle bags and seat to get as much access to the bike as you can. S100 Total Cycle Cleaner works great, so does Optimum Power Clean to wash. Make sure you have enough metal polish on hand too. Going to need a few different sized brushes to get the engine completely clean.



Once the bike is clean I work top to bottom as I go around the bike. Work the paint as needed, the polish the metal/chrome, then go back and wax.
 
Thanks for the advice Scott! I don't have any S100 TCC, but I do have plenty of OPC. I also have a over a quart of Opt. Metal Polish so I should be good there...hehe.



Thanks again for the input!
 
Yea make sure you have smaller equipment there mike. Like scott said remove the saddlebags. that will help out a lot. Slick stix work wonders as well. if not then find something else small and benable to get into all the crevices. a good air gun will help as well getting into the smaller places. remember the chrome will look great with some window cleaner and ultrafine steelwool. the paint just use the smallest pads you have. and obviously don't dress the tires on a bike that isn't yours ;)
 
I'm not a pro detailer but an avid motorcyclist. Putting any kind of tire dressing (even if you keep it off of the tread) is generally considered a safety hazard.



You may want to ask the rider his/her preference. If the rider wants a tire dressing, be sure to use something that is very unlikely to migrate onto the tread.
 
NEVER APPLY TIRE DRESSING TO A MOTORCYCLE TIRE!!! let the owner do it, his risk, his liability!



I have done a couple motorcycle details...not fun! I charge by the hour!



4" pads and a pc are your friend! lots of hand polishing too! i use cut up pads for the chrome polishing along with one grand chrome polish, or metal 300 from one grand. Both work great!



if you think it will take 1 hours, budget for two! it always seems to take longer than what you think because there are so many crevices to get into!
 
I charge 150 for a complete detail, If you have a jack for bikes that helps alot for doing tires and wheels. Those rims will need some good wheel wax or poor boys wheel sealant(my go toos) Do the back of the saddle bags under the seat, and use a good apc or bug remover and let it dwell on the bug juice. The s100 polishing soap is also a good tool for bikes. good luck and be sure to post when finished.
 
Thanks for all the great info guys!



Jake - What are the slick stix you are referring to?





How many hours would you guys budget for on a bike like this? Obviously, since I'm new to detailing bikes it'll take me a little longer, but at least I'll have an idea of what to expect and how to price it.



Thanks again for all the input guys!
 
I average about 3 hours on a full dress. Quicker if it's something like a plastic clad crotch rocket. Don't be suprised if once you get done you'll never want to touch another one LOL.



and check out Danase.com for those slick stix. Not a bad investment for under $20



Slick Stixxx
 
Thanks for the link Jake. Definitely easy on the wallet.



I hear about never wanting to do one again. My brother-in-law has a nice Ranger fishing boat and I detailed it once and I told him I'm never doing it or any other boat ever again...LOL! I'm hoping a bike isn't as nerve-racking.



Thanks again for all the help guys! My wife's water broke today (she's 37 weeks pregnant with our first; a boy) and I'm sitting in the hospital room with her as I type so it'll probably be a while before I have a chance to detail the bike. Wireless internet and a flat panel TV make this process much more fun...hehe!
 
Here are a few pics from a Harley I recently did. Having a jack like the one pictured will make you life sooooo much easier. Hell, you won't even mind working on bikes with one of these. It'll get a full dresser 18" off the ground and give you access to the underside of the motor, allow easier cleaning of the wheels etc. This bike took 4 hours to do. If you open the saddle bags, there are two quick releases inside each and with a quick turn the bags come right off. ( This client has bags on his Screaming Eagle ) S100 or Autoglym Motorcycle Cleaner are your best bets as they are designed to rinse clean easily meaning there won't be any dried detergent on the black motor parts. For the chrome, if it needs polishing, try DG metal polish ( black container ) and follow up with Blackfire AFPP and Blackfire All Metal Sealant. The Metal Sealant will give the chrome a deep look rather than a bling like the sealant alone will. Durability of the All Metal Sealant is around 4 months. Take lots of MFs and your EZ Detail brush for the top portions of the engine right under the tank. DO NOT APPLY TIRE DRESSING EVEN IF HE ASKS! Let him do it. PM me if you have any questions.



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Mike, freaken A!!!! congrats on the Baby!!! Put down the computer and help with the pushing. Damn dude, there comes a time when you just have to put the detailing on the back burner.



Best of Luck!!!!!!!!! and only the best for you and the new addition.
 
Well, a week later and I'm back! Just a little tired to say the least! And just so you guys know, I was only on the 'puter for a short while. It was early in my wife's labor when she couldn't even feel her contractions. While I was on here, she was gabbing to her friend on the phone so I didn't get in trouble :) .



Anyway, thanks for all the input guys! And by the way, that night at 9:50pm we became proud parents of a handsome baby boy. Coming 3 weeks early, he weighed in at 6.5 lbs. and measured 18.75 inches. He's as healthy as could be and my wife is doing great. The epidoral made her look like a seasoned veteran at the whole labor and delivery thing. An hour after she had him she said, "I'm ready for another one!" Meanwhile, I was over on the sofa bed exhausted just from watching and holding one of her legs...hehe!



Alright, just wanted to check back into my thread to say THANKS for all the input on the bike stuff and to tell you guys about the rest of that day (in case you were wondering).
 
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