who details their bike?

C

chinton

New member
it appears that all forums discussing the detailing of motorcycles are pretty slow.



i got the jist that car products work for motorcycles, but im looking for tips on removing swirls/scratches in the confined spaces.



I've recently picked up a 2007 C50T (black) that has a few scratches on the tank and wheel areas that id like to minimize.



My brother got an 09 m90 (also black) a few days before that had swirls marks on all of the paneling (assumed from the assembly) that hed also like removed.



While I am tempted to try to zing over everything w/ my flex, there is no way i can get to all the places id like so im stuck going over everything by hand.



as a start ive got a few lake country hand pads (orage/white/red) and 1z paint polish (green can) as well as a few OTC products (meguiars) is this my only option?
 
If you use a machine try a 4" pad. It's what I use on my bikes.



Nice bike by the way. I was just sitting on a baby blue one at the International Motorcycle Show.



I just saw that you have a Flex. I'd look into getting a PC or similar style machine that will accept smaller pads.
 
I use 4" LC pads on my Black Gixxer. I used the orange and some Meguiar's 105 to get all the nasty scratches/swirls out, then went to M205 on a White Pad, then M205 on a Blue Finishing Pad. I topped it with some M21 Synthetic Sealant and it came out awesome! The bike looks like a pool of black oil and is for the most part swirl free.



I used M105 and a foam pad by hand on hard to reach spots that the 4" pads couldn't get. The M105 Finished down nice enough in those confined hard to see spaces that I didn't bother using a "polish" and just went straight to my LSP on those spots.



Make sure to tape off any nooks and cranny's, bolts, emblems, etc, as those area pain to get polish out of when it dries.
 
dang, so it sounds like the best option is to pick up a pc and 4in pads.



Thanks. if there are any other tips let me know as well :)
 
chinton said:
dang, so it sounds like the best option is to pick up a pc and 4in pads.



Thanks. if there are any other tips let me know as well :)
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TIP: Be careful of sharp/high edges/body lines, if you are using an aggressive enough pad/polish you will go right through the paint. Don't ask me how I know... :(
 
REVNU said:
I use 4" LC pads on my Black Gixxer. I used the orange and some Meguiar's 105 to get all the nasty scratches/swirls out, then went to M205 on a White Pad, then M205 on a Blue Finishing Pad. I topped it with some M21 Synthetic Sealant and it came out awesome! The bike looks like a pool of black oil and is for the most part swirl free.



I used M105 and a foam pad by hand on hard to reach spots that the 4" pads couldn't get. The M105 Finished down nice enough in those confined hard to see spaces that I didn't bother using a "polish" and just went straight to my LSP on those spots.



Make sure to tape off any nooks and cranny's, bolts, emblems, etc, as those area pain to get polish out of when it dries.
Click to expand...



was this just on the tank? What do you use on the plastic fairings? I would like to hit up my fairings but not sure if it would make them worse
 
On the fairings I mostly used M205 with 4" White LC Pads. On a few spots I used the M105 and 4" Orange LC Pads. I then finished down with M205 using 4" Blue (Finishing) LC Pads. Obviously all paint is different, so this may or may not work for you. Just use the rule: Start with the least aggressive pad/product combo and work your way to the more aggressive stuff. Good Luck!
 
Thanks for the reply. On my zx9r the fairings are in pretty good shape overall, the guy I bought it from several years ago said his daughter knocked it over in the garage but you can tell it was a low speed slide, the scratches on the fairing and stator cover.



I used megs Ultimate Compound on a few scratches on the tank near my tank pad and it cleaned them up nicely. I then used Pinnacle xmt ultra fine swirl remover where I could on the tank with a 6.5" LC white pad (which wasnt much room to work) and did the rest by hand. Used some Megs New car glaze followed by 3 coats of fuzion.



I would like to try doing the fairings. I have been contemplating getting the 4" pads for a while now, guess I should just go ahead and do it.



Thanks again
 
I use handheld dynabrade polisher, with a cyclo polishing pad. It does a great job of getting into the nooks and crannies.





John
 
Spilchy said:
I had an old Mongoose BMX bike in the 80's that I used Noxon Metal polish on the chrome molly :chuckle:
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Nice! I had a Schwinn Predator that I used Meguiar's #26 on. :chuckle:
 
I will use either my PC or Flex for the area I can reach. M105 by hand with a foam applicator for the hard to reach areas. :2thumbs:
 
I have always used Plexus on my entire bike. My friends and I were always in a competition to see who had the cleanest bike. It would get sprayed and wiped thoroughly before each ride, and after each ride. It would get washed and waxed by hand once a month with Pinnacle Souveran (even the plastics). I never had any issues with swirling. These are pics taken last year before I sold the bike. It was a 1998 with 14,000 miles on it.



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Looks awesome, always loved the Smokin' Joe CBR 600 :2thumbs:



I use Zaino on the bike these days, Z6 for quick detailing and ZAIO for any swirl removal and regular protection.



For defect removal I use my PC with a 4" white pad and ZAIO.



Here is the most recent pic I have of my Viffer while she was still in one piece.



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Here is how she sits today. The pic above may not show it but the mid fairings are not in the greatest of shape. This is my second 4th Gen (94-97) VFR and I am in the middle of repairing and replacing a lot of parts in the hopes of getting her looking and running like she did when she first rolled off the assembly line...



VFR750c.jpg
 
Got a couple bikes, one is in project stage, the other is in cleaning up an old bike stage. The latter is an '82 Suzuki Katana 1000 that was in storage for 18 years or so. Low miles, but pretty filthy. My plan is to get it as clean as I can with the least refinishing possible. A couple things may need paint but everything else should clean up.



My current dilemma is the seat. It's in great shape but dirty. Problem is, it seems to be some sort of neoprene type material. Almost like an open-cell foam. Chances are, dilluted simple green and a microfiber would do it, but I want to careful.



katana1000_01.jpg
 
Used Zaino ZFX+Z5 on my '06 Roadstar 1700 today. Summit Racing sells 3" backing plate and pad kit #85-948 for $15. Can't see how I went wrong on this deal. Comes with a spindle attachment for a drill or the pad fits 5/8" rotary buffers as well. I bought a spindle adpater for my Porter Cable DA so I can also use these 3" pads with it.



Here's a link to Summit: S.M. Arnold 85-948 - S.M. Arnold Buffing & Polishing Starter Kits - summitracing.com



Type 85-948 Micro in your google search bar and it's available many other places too.



roadstar_zaino_ZFX_Z5_a.jpg
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