I'm not sure if this is the right section or not. But recently someone my dad works with came to him and asked if I would be interested in cleaning up his motorcycle. I have no clue what kind of motorcycle it is nor what condition it is in, and furthermore I have never worked on one before. However the owner wouldn't be incredibly picky on how perfect it looked, I think he just wants a basic cleaning. I am being offered $100 to do this and as I'm 18 that seems like a pretty good thing haha. But I would really have no clue where to begin with a motorcycle. I've never really paid much attention to them before. I think this would be a good business opportunity though, a few of people from my dads work have already had their cars done by me and if I can get a few more customers from there it would be great. Anyway, what do you guys think? I'll start looking around for threads on motorcycle detailing for sure... Thanks! Clark
I cleaned up a my dad's before. It is usually pretty clean but there was a whole lot of chrome to clean and wax and it was a bit of a pain waxing all of the chrome.
Ive done it, its nice since they are not really that dirty. They are always just dusty, and he probly just wants you to shine up all the chrome and any correction should be done really softly, like with a blue uber pad and a finishing polish. But if i remember correctly you dont do that yet. So just make it look nice with what you got. Im sure it't be fun for you as it was for me. My customer even let me ride the motorcycle.
if your doing any chrome polishing be prepared for some sore fingers and bruised knuckles. the thin spoke wheels usually seen on harley and the like can be a major PITA if they weren't taken care of in the past.
Clark- If you are just washing it up, an EZ detail brush can be a big help. Here is a thread of a full correction I did on a bike recently: Yamaha V-Star Let us know a bit more about the bike and so we can provide better info...
I do a bunch of bikes so I purchased a motorcycle jack. It'll lift a Harley full bagger about 18" off the ground so detailing it is a breeze. Just like detailing a car only the parts are smaller. See if you can find out what kind of bike it it. The only thing to watch for is if the engine is black as most APCs will leave a white residue if not rinsed thoroughly. Use Autoglym Motorcycle Cleaner or the P21S Motorcycle cleaner just to be safe. Chrome plating is very thin so I would just use something like optimum metal polish and seal with Blackfire All Metal Sealant. They are time consuming so have a rolling stool and a pad to kneel on.
