ceramic coating
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,423
Likes: 421
From: Northern, Ohio (Yuck!)
Had my bike done with Ceramic Pro. 5 year warranty. Paint prep is everything when getting this done. AMC Customs (the shop I used) removed the tour pack luggage rack to get better access to the tour pack. The bike was neutralized, clay bared and then buffed out before being coated. I paid a whole lot less than $900.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 3,425
Likes: 1,418
From: pensacola fl
Had my bike done with Ceramic Pro. 5 year warranty. Paint prep is everything when getting this done. AMC Customs (the shop I used) removed the tour pack luggage rack to get better access to the tour pack. The bike was neutralized, clay bared and then buffed out before being coated. I paid a whole lot less than $900.
On a bike a coating should last way longer then on a car. Bikes usually don't see the elements that a car/truck sees. There are a ton of products that offer 5 year warranties. CQuartz Finest is 7 I believe. Modesta is the same if not more
Last edited by eaglefan1; Oct 23, 2019 at 08:02 AM.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 164
Likes: 17
From: NY
I have a ceramic pro kit which includes the cleaners and de-ironization solutions. Highly recommend purchasing your own and the contents can be used for a few bike/seasons.
It does take a bit of prep work but if your bike is clean already its a breeze.
It does take a bit of prep work but if your bike is clean already its a breeze.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 3,425
Likes: 1,418
From: pensacola fl
Also, for the price, looks and longevity, hard to beat Cquartz UK 3.0. CQuartz is a big time player in the detailing world and puts out top tier products. 30mil and Reload for less then $65 is a great deal.
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 12
Likes: 8
From: Orange County, CA
I just had my vivid black Ultra Limited ceramic coated. The cost, with full paint preparation, was significantly less than $900, though it was not Opti-Coat. Regardless, it is an investment and maybe isn't for everyone. However, this is my second black touring motorcycle, and after constantly wrestling with small scratches and swirl marks, I decided I wanted to do something to make my new ride easier to maintain.
Immediately after having my Ultra coated, my wife and I did a 3,000-mile ride from California through Colorado and up into Wyoming and Montana before returning home. Needless to say, the bike picked up its fair share of bugs, dirt and other road debris during the ride. After getting home, I washed it (soap and water) and the bugs and road grime just came right off. No scrubbing, no soaking. It took me less than two hours to completely detail the bike, finishing with an SIO2 spray to enhance the shine. I can't tell you how easy it was to get it back to looking perfect.
So, for me the benefits are:
1. Much less time spent washing, polishing and waxing
2. A harder protective layer that holds up better to scratching and swirl marks
3. A coating that doesn't attract dust and dirt like wax
4. A sacrificial layer that, if it does become scratched, can be polished and buffed without getting into your clear coat
5. And, lastly, a product that will protect your paint from things that would otherwise etch it or damage it
I have also had great success using waterless washes on the ceramic coating to remove road dust in between rides. So, if you're borderline OCD, like me, and keeping your bike clean and scratch-free is a bit of a compulsion, I can't tell you how much easier this is than constantly polishing and waxing to keep that showroom shine.
Just my $.02 worth and sorry for the long post.
OC2CO
Immediately after having my Ultra coated, my wife and I did a 3,000-mile ride from California through Colorado and up into Wyoming and Montana before returning home. Needless to say, the bike picked up its fair share of bugs, dirt and other road debris during the ride. After getting home, I washed it (soap and water) and the bugs and road grime just came right off. No scrubbing, no soaking. It took me less than two hours to completely detail the bike, finishing with an SIO2 spray to enhance the shine. I can't tell you how easy it was to get it back to looking perfect.
So, for me the benefits are:
1. Much less time spent washing, polishing and waxing
2. A harder protective layer that holds up better to scratching and swirl marks
3. A coating that doesn't attract dust and dirt like wax
4. A sacrificial layer that, if it does become scratched, can be polished and buffed without getting into your clear coat
5. And, lastly, a product that will protect your paint from things that would otherwise etch it or damage it
I have also had great success using waterless washes on the ceramic coating to remove road dust in between rides. So, if you're borderline OCD, like me, and keeping your bike clean and scratch-free is a bit of a compulsion, I can't tell you how much easier this is than constantly polishing and waxing to keep that showroom shine.
Just my $.02 worth and sorry for the long post.
OC2CO
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 3,425
Likes: 1,418
From: pensacola fl
I just had my vivid black Ultra Limited ceramic coated. The cost, with full paint preparation, was significantly less than $900, though it was not Opti-Coat. Regardless, it is an investment and maybe isn't for everyone. However, this is my second black touring motorcycle, and after constantly wrestling with small scratches and swirl marks, I decided I wanted to do something to make my new ride easier to maintain.
Immediately after having my Ultra coated, my wife and I did a 3,000-mile ride from California through Colorado and up into Wyoming and Montana before returning home. Needless to say, the bike picked up its fair share of bugs, dirt and other road debris during the ride. After getting home, I washed it (soap and water) and the bugs and road grime just came right off. No scrubbing, no soaking. It took me less than two hours to completely detail the bike, finishing with an SIO2 spray to enhance the shine. I can't tell you how easy it was to get it back to looking perfect.
So, for me the benefits are:
1. Much less time spent washing, polishing and waxing
2. A harder protective layer that holds up better to scratching and swirl marks
3. A coating that doesn't attract dust and dirt like wax
4. A sacrificial layer that, if it does become scratched, can be polished and buffed without getting into your clear coat
5. And, lastly, a product that will protect your paint from things that would otherwise etch it or damage it
I have also had great success using waterless washes on the ceramic coating to remove road dust in between rides. So, if you're borderline OCD, like me, and keeping your bike clean and scratch-free is a bit of a compulsion, I can't tell you how much easier this is than constantly polishing and waxing to keep that showroom shine.
Just my $.02 worth and sorry for the long post.
OC2CO
Immediately after having my Ultra coated, my wife and I did a 3,000-mile ride from California through Colorado and up into Wyoming and Montana before returning home. Needless to say, the bike picked up its fair share of bugs, dirt and other road debris during the ride. After getting home, I washed it (soap and water) and the bugs and road grime just came right off. No scrubbing, no soaking. It took me less than two hours to completely detail the bike, finishing with an SIO2 spray to enhance the shine. I can't tell you how easy it was to get it back to looking perfect.
So, for me the benefits are:
1. Much less time spent washing, polishing and waxing
2. A harder protective layer that holds up better to scratching and swirl marks
3. A coating that doesn't attract dust and dirt like wax
4. A sacrificial layer that, if it does become scratched, can be polished and buffed without getting into your clear coat
5. And, lastly, a product that will protect your paint from things that would otherwise etch it or damage it
I have also had great success using waterless washes on the ceramic coating to remove road dust in between rides. So, if you're borderline OCD, like me, and keeping your bike clean and scratch-free is a bit of a compulsion, I can't tell you how much easier this is than constantly polishing and waxing to keep that showroom shine.
Just my $.02 worth and sorry for the long post.
OC2CO
Everyone needs to remember though that coatings are not bulletproof. They can scratch and swirl if proper washing, drying techniques are not followed.
OC@CO, what coating did your guy apply?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 3,425
Likes: 1,418
From: pensacola fl
When I do a bike the only thing I leave on is the front fairing, fenders. For me, its easier to apply and remove with the parts off the bike. I can look for high spots at different angles and move the light where I need it. However it can be don't with the parts left on the bike
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,250
Likes: 2,344
From: Florida
Depends on the coating. Some are more difficult to remove than others. If a high spot is left on the paint and it cures, only way to get it off is to polish it off.
When I do a bike the only thing I leave on is the front fairing, fenders. For me, its easier to apply and remove with the parts off the bike. I can look for high spots at different angles and move the light where I need it. However it can be don't with the parts left on the bike
When I do a bike the only thing I leave on is the front fairing, fenders. For me, its easier to apply and remove with the parts off the bike. I can look for high spots at different angles and move the light where I need it. However it can be don't with the parts left on the bike
I'm hell on wheels in the morning, but I usually eat a huge lunch and get drowsy in the afternoons and that's when I tend to lay around watching the TV, maybe sip on a boilermaker or two, and just take it easy and enjoy life. If I have any energy left, I'll go for a ride.
So I guess my point is, is this something I can do with a minimum of effort and/or expertise in the cool of the Florida mornings? This might sound stupid, but I'm serious.
