Seeking advice on cleaning and polishing

[WU5C]

I have buddy that uses 3M hand glaze. His bike is black and it really shines. He also is my paint and body guy, He did the flames on my scooter. Ray (TradeMark Collision) put UV protection in the urethane clear coat. I like that as I don't have to worry too much on sun damage. I do not use a machine on my bike, just hand power. Yes I have a hand polisher and plenty of waffle foam rubber pads but that is for automotive use not for my bike. Here is another tip, don't put the wax on in a circular motion. If you do and there are dust in the air then you will have dust on your paint, you could be putting swirl marks into your paint. I just go longways on the finders and tank. I have ton of Meguiars for my 76 Vette, I prefer Meguiars over Mother's, but that is a personal taste in the wax. But for my ride I use Fat Bob's. I tried F11 and could not tell the difference (other than price) between both of them. I cannot remember how much I paid for Fat Bob's but it's under 20 bucks. A bottle will last a couple of years or so. F11 was too expensive for the amount that you get. So I'm back to Fat Bob's. Soap Box broke, nuff said.... My fifty cents worth.

 

[WU5C]

Hay Billy, did you get the aluminum polish? If so, shoot some photos of your finished work. I'm curious to see what you results are..

 

[LittleMike]

I use a ceramic coating on my vehicles and bike. I like the ease of cleaning after it has cured. No water spots either. I will never use wax again. The less I touch the paint is that many less scratches.

 

[WU5C]

Go to page two on this thread. There I listed my choice in keeping my ride spiffy. I use Fat Bob's and it layers for a great deep shine. It is made in Oklahoma. So it is a home grown product. After I shine all my shinny things I put a coat of Fat Bob's on and I'm good to go. I did consider the ceramic coatings. I'm still pondering that technology. The reason is that I have a clear film over my rear fender and a 8 inch patch around my filler neck on the tank. I'm not sure if the ceramic is comparable with the clear protection, which was done by White Glove in Bixby, OK. I did the tank to insure that I would not leave glove marks removing the gas cap on the paint, and the rear fender because you never know when some nice lady wants to ride with you. I'd rather not have my finder scuffed.

 

[WU5C]

I did receive a advertisement today for a new high tech product that gets my attention better than the ceramic coatings. https://www.glare.com if you are interested.

 

[LittleMike]

Go to page two on this thread. There I listed my choice in keeping my ride spiffy. I use Fat Bob's and it layers for a great deep shine. It is made in Oklahoma. So it is a home grown product. After I shine all my shinny things I put a coat of Fat Bob's on and I'm good to go. I did consider the ceramic coatings. I'm still pondering that technology. The reason is that I have a clear film over my rear fender and a 8 inch patch around my filler neck on the tank. I'm not sure if the ceramic is comparable with the clear protection, which was done by White Glove in Bixby, OK. I did the tank to insure that I would not leave glove marks removing the gas cap on the paint, and the rear fender because you never know when some nice lady wants to ride with you. I'd rather not have my finder scuffed.View attachment 77806View attachment 77807

I did the front of my truck in 3m clear protection. Good idea on the rear fender. I will add that also.

 

[LittleMike]

I did receive a advertisement today for a new high tech product that gets my attention better than the ceramic coatings. https://www.glare.com if you are interested.

I'm sold on ceramic. Just like the Franks red hot sauce TV commercial...I put that shit on everything.

 

[WU5C]

Hay Little Mike, did you have to strip off all the wax and then clay bar clean before you did the treatment.. and what type or brand of ceramic coating did you use.. There are so many out there. I cannot filter them down to what would work for the bikes..

 

[LittleMike]

Hay Little Mike, did you have to strip off all the wax and then clay bar clean before you did the treatment.. and what type or brand of ceramic coating did you use.. There are so many out there. I cannot filter them down to what would work for the bikes..

Yes sir, you have to correct the paint of any swirls or scratches and then strip the wax or polish, 50/50 water and rubbing alcohol and a mirofiber cloth. Because once you put ceramic on the paint it is locked into that condition for a couple of years.
I went this route after my supervisor bought a new Honda NSX and he put it on. I was amazed and the deepness of the shine. I also did my new Tacoma and it's easier that applying any wax or Polish. You wet the applicator and drag it acrossed the paint in the same direction then after a few mins you buff it off with a microfiber cloth. So easy even a Little Mike can do it!