Cleaning and detailing day

[deacon]

It was to cold to ride (44 degrees and cloudy) today so I stripped the bags, side covers and seat off the bike. I brought the side covers and the bags inside and used automotive clay to clean them. This was my first time using clay and I must say it does live up to the hype! I didn't want to remove the tank so I did that and the fenders outside on the bike. Before I did any of that I washed it with a "bike wash" product. That really cleaned up the engine area nicely, the black does not look as faded as it did. After all that, I had to reapply wax to all the painted areas and re-polish the chrome. I was hoping for a nice "wet look" from the wax, but after some research, I guess I need to use multiple coats of carnauba wax to get that deep look. I know it's not a good idea, but after I finished the seat looked kinda sad, so armoralled it . Looks real purity now . I also replaced those terrible seat bolts with stainless steel allen head bolts, much easier to get them back on ;). I took Mac's advice and shined the outside of the engine fins with a green scrub pad as well (thanks Mac ;)).

I found a website for S100 products

http://www.topoftheline.com/index.html

Has anyone used these? They seem to have some good products for motorcycles.

[Top Cat]

Did you armoral the tires too?
That way if you don't slide up on the gas tank when you have to stop fast maybe the whole bike will slip out from under you. Happy times for sure. ;)

[deacon]

Originally Posted by Top Cat (TC)

Did you armoral the tires too?
That way if you don't slide up on the gas tank when you have to stop fast maybe the whole bike will slip out from under you. Happy times for sure. ;)

Nope, I didn't do the tires My dumbness didn't extend that far
I couldn't help myself, the seat was just begging to included :-[

[deacon]

Originally Posted by deacon

Nope, I didn't do the tires My dumbness didn't extend that far
I couldn't help myself, the seat was just begging to included :-[

I dunno, the seat on your drifter (signature pic) looks rather shiny to me ...........

[usranger74]

Originally Posted by deacon

It was to cold to ride (44 degrees and cloudy) today so I striped the bags, side covers and seat off the bike. I brought the side covers and the bags inside and used automotive clay to clean them. This was my first time using clay and I must say it does live up to the hype! I didn't want to remove the tank so I did that and the fenders outside on the bike. Before I did any of that I washed it with a "bike wash" product. That really cleaned up the engine area nicely, the black does not look as faded as it did. After all that, I had to reapply wax to all the painted areas and re-polish the chrome. I was hoping for a nice "wet look" from the wax, but after some research, I guess I need to use multiple coats of carnauba wax to get that deep look. I know it's not a good idea, but after I finished the seat looked kinda sad, so armoralled it . Looks real purity now . I also replaced those terrible seat bolts with stainless steel allen head bolts, much easier to get them back on ;). I took Mac's advice and shined the outside of the engine fins with a green scrub pad as well (thanks Mac ;)).

I found a website for S100 products

http://www.topoftheline.com/index.html

Has anyone used these? They seem to have some good products for motorcycles.

May I ask

1. What is automotive clay?

2. Green scrub pads??

The way the weather looks this coming week, I think I will do the same.

To cold to ride at 44. Must be southern thing . 44 and sunny day and I am on the road

[paul]

Man, that sounds like work. I bought a kit with the special wash , wax, and clay bar in it. Haven't tried it yet, but based on your experience sounds like I have to break it out and clean up the bike. Say, maybe I could come over there and you could show me how you did it. You can use my bike to demo. I'll be happy to watch and take notes.

[deacon]

Originally Posted by usranger74

May I ask

1. What is automotive clay?

2. Green scrub pads??

The way the weather looks this coming week, I think I will do the same.

To cold to ride at 44. Must be southern thing . 44 and sunny day and I am on the road

I found info on it when I was googling "detailing". It is used with a lubricant (detail spray works). It is a special clay that has some extra ingredients that clean the paint, kinda like polish, but not as harsh. It cleans debris and contaminants off the surface of the paint.

The green scrub pad is the same type used for washing pots and pans. I used it dry to shine the fins.

[deacon]

Originally Posted by hmsregalnadness

Man, that sounds like work. I bought a kit with the special wash , wax, and clay bar in it. Haven't tried it yet, but based on your experience sounds like I have to break it out and clean up the bike. Say, maybe I could come over there and you could show me how you did it. You can use my bike to demo. I'll be happy to watch and take notes.

To cold here, I'll come to you ;)

[paul]

Yeah, that's our curse in the South. Too many good days for riding, not enough bad weather days to clean bikes . Just brutal.

[Top Cat]

Originally Posted by deacon

I dunno, the seat on your drifter (signature pic) looks rather shiny to me ........... :o

I never noticed that deacon, trust me, it is not from Armoral :).

[nomadbehappy]

Given the fact that I am currently sitting next to the fireplace watching the snow that is coming down, cleaning the bike might be as close to getting on it as I will get for a few days :-(

[Loafer]

Originally Posted by Top Cat (TC)

I never noticed that deacon, trust me, it is not from Armoral :).

The seats on TC's bikes have a special shine put there from all the pucker moments, while wearing his PajamaJeans.

[deacon]

I picked some carnauba wax today. Put a couple of coats and WOW, it really brought out color. This afternoon the temp got up into the 50's with sun, so I went for a ride. I din't find the seat to be slippery at all. Maybe because I sit down and into the Mustang seat?