Originally Posted by IslandGlide

Geez Trlfndr, you take 10 hours to clean your bike, but your motto is "Screw it Let's Ride"?? Just kidding, good tips. When I am washing mine (not the "big detail", just a wash, I use a hot towel over the w/shield and batwing to soften the bugs of course. Then my main tip is to use 3 wash mits. 1 only touches paint, 1 for chrome and 1 for wheels/tires/frame. Use a leaf blower to dry, a quick chamois and off I go. A good little tip for the bags is to put some of the small rubber bumpers that keep kitchen cabinets from banging, on the bottom of the bags, then you won't scratch them when you put them on the garage floor or driveway.

Originally Posted by REVDOGGY

Thanks I was doing alot wrong I guess I need some more stuff. If I have anymore questions I'll let you know if that is ok with you.

Originally Posted by gunner11

Black bikes show everything, (ask me how I know)? After I wash, I wipe down with distilled water, take the spots out. Wax her up and Bam! Looking good again. Just like any black vehicle some scratches are there to stay. I wash mine about once a month.

Originally Posted by Trailfndr

FIrst a couple questions. What are you using to wash the bike with? to dry? to buff out the wax?? If your answer is not 100% Microfiber, then you are already on the wrong track. You need to use Microfiber, and you need to understand that if you should drop whatever cloth you are using, you do NOT let it touch the bike again until its washed. grab another so you don't scratch the paint with grit from the ground.

The harley products are designed for bikes, and work fairly well, but you can buy better (more expensive) cleaners and polishes. Personally, I use Wizards products on paint, and Masters formula on metal, along with some s100 stuff, and Nuvus for the windshield.

I begin by getting the bike on the jack for ease of reach and ability to spin the wheels.. then I use a good tire and wheel cleaner on the wheels, simply spray on, wait a few minutes, and follow with a good rinse of water to wash off anything loose. Bug remover is next if I have alot of bugs, apply then give it a few minutes and rinse.(NOT on the windshield. That gets a clean WARM wet microfiber cloth layed on it for a few minutes to loosen the bugs, then rinse off.) Next is a total rinse of the bike, from top to bottom. Then using a microfiber mitt, and sunwash concentrate in very warm water, I wash a section of the bike at a time ( front end, left side, rear, right side) Rinsing throughly after each sction so that it doesn't dry with soap on it. Don't be afraid to use lots of water, just not high pressure. I set my hose nozzle at shower..

Next comes the dryer, I use a cycle spot dryer. similar to a leaf blower, but much smaller and made for bikes ( about 40.00) I add a fine mesh over the nozzle to act as a filter. ( gets changed every other use, held on with a rubber band or zip tie)

I use Masters Formula metal polish on all chrome and aluminum, it makes dull aluminum shine like a mirror with a little effort. Apply then buff. I follow this with a sealer by Masters formula to protect those surfaces for up to 3 months.

Next is polish, Wizards polish works well for me, and I use it on all painted surfaces. Apply, let dry about 5 minutes, and buff out. ( this will help with the minor scratches...you may have to use more than one coat at first, but the more coats, the deeper the shine..)

Next is the windshield. Novus is the ONLY product that touches my shields, other than the soap when washing. I never use anything else, and I carry a bottle with me for cleaning on the road.

Last is a good coat of wax. I use s100 wax. Its easy on, and easy off. Probably don't need it after the polish, but an extra layer of protection never hurts.

Each strp of the process uses clean microfiber cloths, I probably go thru about 12-15 cloths on a good clean and detail, sometimes even more.

Personally, I am sorta **** about it, so I have different colors of cloths for different uses, and never mix them. White for novus, orange for paint, blue for chrome and aluminum, and yellow for the sealer.

Granted, the chrome and aluminum polish and sealer, is NOT something I do every wash, but once every 3 months or so, or if I think it needs it. Normal wash includes everything else and takes about an hour on the ultra. Full detail takes as much as 6 hours.

Here are the products that I use, but be aware, many people have different ideas as to what products work. Each has its ups and downs, and some folks are convinced that thier ideas are the best out there...but to me, each person has to have confidence in the products they use. So everyone is different..

http://master-formula.com/english.htm

http://www.innate.com/Supplies/Wizards/Wizards.htm

http://www.s100.com/

http://www.novuspolish.com/