Harley Davidson Forums
Harley Davidson Forums - Harley Davidson Classifieds - HDForums.com Photo Galleries - Create an Account - Harley Davidson News

Go Back   Harley Davidson Forums > This 'n' That > Detailing




Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 10-28-2005, 10:13 PM
scooterbooter scooterbooter is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Lafayette, LA
Posts: 276
Default How often do you wax and polish?

I washed my baby for the first time tonight. She looks lurvely , but alas, I'm a lazy ho, and while I took great care in waxing all the painted parts and using a metal polish on all the chrome and polished aluminum. I'm flaming well not doing that lark every time I wash her. It took forever!

So, how often do you have to go through the whole malarky of waxing and polishing?

And what do y'all do in between for a quickie clean sesh?
Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
This ad is not displayed to registered members.
Register your free account today and become a member on HD Forums!
  #2  
Old 10-30-2005, 06:58 PM
kmallein kmallein is offline
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location:
Posts: 53
Default RE: How often do you wax and polish?

For the in between clean up I use something called Speed Shine, its from Griots garage. If its dirty enough to wash it I always wax it and do the chrome polish. During riding season I wash and wax at least 3 times a month. I just did all that today to put her away for the winter and it took me 5 hours.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10-30-2005, 10:37 PM
scooterbooter scooterbooter is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Lafayette, LA
Posts: 276
Default RE: How often do you wax and polish?

5 hours?

[sm=jawdrop.gif]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

Oh there must be an easier way, I can't believe everyone spends hours cleaning a bike.....[sm=smiley19.gif]
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10-31-2005, 04:09 AM
harleyboy63401 harleyboy63401 is offline
Prospect
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location:
Posts: 159
Default RE: How often do you wax and polish?

I do mine before winter storage even though I may still get it out if the weather permits. Then I generally do it before and after long road trips during the riding season. Between washings I use Eagle 1 Wet (wipe and shine). I generally wash mine once a week or so depending on weather and riding conditions. Keep in mind that I have 2 to take care of as the wife cleans the house, I clean the vehicles! In my opinion there is no need to wax or polish every time you wash unless maybe you store your bike outside.
If I spent 5 or 6 hours every week waxing and polishing I wouldn't get my riding time in. I like a clean bike like every one else but enjoy riding much more.

Hope this helps!

Enjoy the Ride!!
__________________
Have A Great Day!
2002 RKC
V & H True Duals
95" w/26G cams
Power Commander
56,000 miles and counting!
http://img336.imageshack.us/img336/1581/img01985wn.jpg
[IMG]http://img316.imageshack.us/img316/4171/img02015tm.jpg[/image
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10-31-2005, 12:49 PM
sporty2003 sporty2003 is offline
Outstanding HDF Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location:
Posts: 2,752
Default RE: How often do you wax and polish?

i do mine every weekend first thing in the morning while my lady is sleeping in she works nights then its good i polish everything that is chrome or painted including the wheels it takes about two hours . i have found the more wax jobs the less buggs stick to it. and i ride day & night out in the boone docks where ever the roads take me .
__________________
05 red pearl super glide F.I. s&s 510 gear cams
S.E.2
mini apes
p.c.3
progressive 412 shocks DYNA"S RULE
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 11-01-2005, 02:50 AM
83ironhead 83ironhead is offline
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Sanford, North Carolina
Posts: 200
Default RE: How often do you wax and polish?

i have an older bike and it doesnt look that good but i try to wash it at least once a month and polish at the same time. right now it looks crappy cause its been rainin for the past week and i just keep on ridin. oh well. as long as theres oil and gas in it, ill ride it and dont care what anyone thinks of me ridin a dirty bike. i guess its kinda along the same lines as you see those guys with jacked up trucks, nice rims and all, but ya never see the least bit of mud on them. we know who the real riders are. just my opinion. who wants to waste 5 hours cleanin your bike when that time could be spent goin down a road ya never went down before. [sm=gears.gif]
shine on you crazy diamond......shine on!!!!!
__________________
Rushing through life, you will only deprive yourself of the time you could have spent enjoying it: unless you are riding a sportster!
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 11-04-2005, 11:30 PM
kmallein kmallein is offline
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location:
Posts: 53
Default RE: How often do you wax and polish?

Hmmm the real riders............ Now thats funny right there I dont care who ya are...... I dont see it as a waste of time, thats all I got is time. But to make sure its clean for storage in my opinion since we are throwing them around isnt a waste its taking care of it. I ride when I feel like it, it doesnt make anyone better than anyone else just because you do or do not wash your bike or you ride in the rain. I guess if we were all 1%'ers we wouldnt be postin here either........ Good for you you ride in the rain and dont wash it and you dont care....... Along the same lines I dont care who thinks 5 hours is a waste or " who the real riders are " thats a joke......... If i remember the post was about how often you wash and wax not who rides in what weather or if your a real rider........... So ride on you drown rat ride on
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 11-05-2005, 09:02 AM
JamieWG JamieWG is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location:
Posts: 1,035
Default RE: How often do you wax and polish?

I clean my DWG after every ride. I use Honda chrome polish and HD S100. Only takes about 15 minutes. If you can get in the habit of cleaning it up as soon as you get home, it makes the job a lot easier because all the bugs, road grit, etc are still soft.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 02-04-2006, 05:47 PM
Gooch Gooch is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location:
Posts: 104
Default RE: How often do you wax and polish?

I wash mine every weekend riding season. Wax every other. California duster daily. Wash every time after rain stops, when the weatherman is wrong and I got caught out in it.
__________________
I do not go where the path leads. I instead create my own path ........ and leave a trail.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 02-05-2006, 01:45 AM
3Dog 3Dog is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location:
Posts: 407
Default RE: How often do you wax and polish?

Wash when "you" feel it needs it. Wax after that if you want. Spray waxes would make that easier. DO NOT polish unless it needs it. You polish to enhance clarity in the paint...to do that you smooth the paint......smoothing will subtract from what you have. So, depending on the abrasives of the polish as to how much, you are thinning what you have. Polishing twice a year would be about normal..could get by with once on garage kept and no thigh squeezing the tank.
Also @ HOGtailing..if we do a complete detail it would not be uncommon to have 6 man hours in it.
__________________
HOGtailing is my business
05 Road King Classic
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e13/3Dog/DSCN0114.jpg
Reply With Quote
Reply



Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Advertising

Featured Sponsors




New Sponsors
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:10 PM.

© Internet Brands, Inc.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.1
Copyright ©2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.