A special opportunity - need advice!

AutoApollo

AutoApollo

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Hey guys, so I have the opportunity to detail a 69' Camaro and a very nice Harley. The owner is requesting both be completely detailed. After seeing them, they are literally already in 9.5/10 condition. The paint on both is flawless. But the engine of the Camaro is a bit dirty and greasy. The Harley is just splattered with bugs. I haven't really done engine cleaning before nor polished chrome. (Lots of chrome on the Harley). What products/tools do you guys recommend to clean these two beasts? Thanks
 
Get one of those bendable brushes, I think called a raccoons tail. Works great for both applications. I use it alone with cleaning product to loosen up dirt, and then drape a microfiber towel over it to wipe out the nooks and crannies. If you use a powerball with a drill, go really slow at first to spread out the polish before going full speed so you don't sling so much polish everywhere.

And if you don't already know, DO NOT put any type of dressing on the tires of the bike unless you want to kill the guy. It's that serious.
 
I only use the power ball for select areas, most of it is done by hand. It takes a lot of time so make sure you account for that. Bikes take way longer than cars because of all the nooks and crannies. Nice thing about Harley's is they have belts instead of chains so no grease to deal with. You definitely want some type of blower to dry it too. And water drips will continue to appear for some time LOL. Have fun!!!
 
AuroraDetailing said:
Get one of those bendable brushes, I think called a raccoons tail. Works great for both applications. I use it alone with cleaning product to loosen up dirt, and then drape a microfiber towel over it to wipe out the nooks and crannies. If you use a powerball with a drill, go really slow at first to spread out the polish before going full speed so you don't sling so much polish everywhere.

And if you don't already know, DO NOT put any type of dressing on the tires of the bike unless you want to kill the guy. It's that serious.
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Oh **** good point!
 
custmsprty said:
I only use the power ball for select areas, most of it is done by hand. It takes a lot of time so make sure you account for that. Bikes take way longer than cars because of all the nooks and crannies. Nice thing about Harley's is they have belts instead of chains so no grease to deal with. You definitely want some type of blower to dry it too. And water drips will continue to appear for some time LOL. Have fun!!!
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I actually try to stay away from detailing bikes because of how long it takes. It's hard to justify to them why it costs more than their car to detail. Especially since it's mostly busy work, and not any special talent or know-how required outside of the very small sections of painted area, so they can do it themselves pretty easily.
 
One more trick I've learned is using a small brush, like the gun cleaning tooth brush looking ones to polish tight gaps and corners. It doesn't sound like the right tool to use, but it works great. I've used them a lot on chrome rims where you can't get a rag deep enough in a corner, let alone a polishing tool. I'm picturing seams in the exhaust connections and possibly between the cooling fins on the heads and stuff like that where it'll work great with polish.
 
AuroraDetailing said:
I actually try to stay away from detailing bikes because of how long it takes. It's hard to justify to them why it costs more than their car to detail. Especially since it's mostly busy work, and not any special talent or know-how required outside of the very small sections of painted area, so they can do it themselves pretty easily.
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You said it!!! And I hate busy work, that's why I don't do interiors either LOL.

Mines highly maintained and it's still a minimum of an hour + just to wash it and dry it and I'm busting it out. Most bikes are neglected so it's major hours. They don't want to pay but they want perfection. And if they are a dresser etc then you have to remove all the bags etc etc. I don't detail bikes, ever. Just my own.
 
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