Harley detail suggestions

Grifffx4

Grifffx4

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I've never detailed a bike. Possibly have a Harley to do this weekend...

Any suggested tools and products?
 
The best thing is a DA with 3/3.5" BP, and 3.5/4" pads. Unless it is custom the seat is not leather. A good chrome polish (I personally use Semichrome). No dressing on the seat or tires. If there is burned boot rubber on the pipes, oven cleaner works good.
 
Plastic polish for the windscreen (can anyone recommend a polish?).
Cone buffer attachment for a drill.
Something to sit on.
 
expdetailing said:
Plastic polish for the windscreen (can anyone recommend a polish?).
Cone buffer attachment for a drill.
Something to sit on.
Click to expand...

When I use to work for HD the guys in the back would use Novus plastic polish.
 
Grifffx4 said:
I've never detailed a bike. Possibly have a Harley to do this weekend...

Any suggested tools and products?
Click to expand...

Here's my HD, pray it doesn't have as much chrome as mine :buffing:

It's all meticulous time consuming hand work.

I like and have used for years S-100 Total Cycle Cleaner and their other products when it comes to my bike(except for waxing which is such a small part over the over all process).

 
A lift if you can borrow one! Most of the ones I do are baggers with a lot of chrome. Very time consuming but worth it.
If it is a bagger have the owner take the bags off for you, and the seat. I lay the on a towel on a table to work on.
There are so many little things to do a bike it can be overwhelming at first. Enjoy it!
 
Megs or Mothers for chrome. Three in pads or better yet, 2" unit for paint and some chrome. As others have stated S100 for the wash is good, they also have a great engine black product. I cut strips out of my orange boas to make buffing clothes, you can wrap the strip around the chrome then use a back and forth motion to polish. For things not metal, 303 is a good choice to protect the leather and such. Nothing on pegs, controls and tires. I even tell my customers no not expect anything on them.
 
I agree with the getting some S100 & 303 products. The total cycle cleaner is great for washing the bike, also remember when washing a bike not to over due it with water when rinsing it. I actually like working on bikes more then cars, but they can be a bit challenging sometimes.
 
Agreed on the Novus for plastic polish and the S100 total cycle cleaner. I use a Ez-Detail mini and some Race Glaze detail brushes to get every nook and cranny. I use a 3" BP to polish paint, it is pretty easy to take the tank console off to get the area underneath and then no worries about taping.

I tried CQuartz on my vivid black paint and it worked well, recently I topped it with Dodo Juice Hard Candy and Rain forest Rub waxes, man the depth for black paint is beautiful. I CQ'd my Rinehart slip-ons as well, helps keep the chrome easier to clean.
 
He says HD makes some stuff called Engine Brightner for the black crinkle parts of the engine. What will do just as good? I have 303, CG G6 Hypercoat, CG VRP, UTTG+, D170, Mothers B2B.

Also, how does Collinite 845 work on chrome?

BTW, this is a Road Glide in Metallic Orange
 
Oh yeah, I will have his bike stand to work on so I can have the bike stand upright and be able to spin the wheels as I clean them. Already showed me how to take off the hard saddle bags
 
Grifffx4 said:
He says HD makes some stuff called Engine Brightner for the black crinkle parts of the engine.
Click to expand...

I believe that is very similar (if not exact) to the S100 engine brightener, I would use it.
 
expdetailing said:
Plastic polish for the windscreen (can anyone recommend a polish?).
Cone buffer attachment for a drill.
Something to sit on.
Click to expand...

The ONLY wax/sealant I have found you can put on the H-D OEM windshield is Liquid Glass Ultimate Auto Polish.
Why you ask? Rain-X WILL cause the H-D OEM windshield to to completely fog-up (totally ruined) in 1-2 months.

S100 Total Cycle cleaner is great for the wheels. I spray 'em first, let sit 2-5 min, clean with small brush & rinse.

I use Nevr-Dull® Wadding Polish on all the chrome. Never use a tire dressing. I use DLux on the sidewalls (not on tread) ONLY.

My favorite tool for washing a bike is the Mr. Clean AutoDry Car Wash System. Although now discontinued, they can still be found.
It wasn't a successful product for washing cars but this little gem is awesome for thoroughly washing a motorcycle in short time.

The Metro Air Force Blaster Sidekick is a great tool for getting the water out of all those small motorcycle cracks and crevices.

There are a lot electrical's. Be careful. Do not get 'em wet. Stay away from the Speedo/Tach and headlights etc.
 
That is a sweet ride. With the lift you will enjoy it. And you will not wake up the next day with a twisted up back!
 
Fro the black bits (engine, front brake calipers etc.) I'd suggest Pig Spit or Harley-Davidson Surface Care: Engine Brightener you can get at your local H-D dealership.
 
Make sure NOT to use a pressure washer.

I think coatings really are the way to go for bikes. They can get trashed so much more quickly than cages, so that extra sacrificial layer is great. I typically do CQuartzUK followed by Reload.

Another vote for not using any type of dressing on the tires. It doesn't take much at all to sling off and hit the tread, and then the owner wrecks his bike. Bad day for all.
 
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