The top 5 products we like to use when detailing bikes!
Most riders like to clean their biker personally, its like a special ritual to sit down in the garage with your bike and give it a deep clean, get to know every small space and mark on the bike. Although we provide detailing services to our customers, we also know how important this process is to some! So we have come up with a top five list of our favourite products that we ourselves use when detailing a motorcycle!
1. Clean Ride Motorcycle Wash and Degreaser
Made right here in Strathroy, On. by Wilson Chemical Innovations Inc. this cleaner packs a punch! We use this product daily in the shop, its uses are endless and we couldn’t recommend it enough!
Price: $12.95
Available for purchase at Scotty’s Cycle Shoppe!
How to use it:
As we said, we use this product daily. If our lifts get dirty after servicing a motorcycle, we spray this on it, when we wash a motorcycle we use this first, dirty brushes from detailing.. spray it on and they come out new even after scrubbing tires and grease! When we use this product to clean a motorcycle, we use it as we would use soap, we spray the bike down, targeting greasy, oily areas and let it sit for a few minutes. After lightly scrubbing if necessary, rinse off with water.
2.Windex
Windex has become a staple weapon in our arsenal for attacking a dirty motorcycle. It is kind of a jack of all trades, we can take on chrome for a nice shine, spray dirty or greasy areas to help remove grease missed in the initial wash or wipe a white wall down on a tire.
Price: $3.59
Available at Canadian Tire.
How to use it:
Windex works well when you pair it with a microfiber cloth. The cloth is gentle on the motorcycle, and helps prevent streaks. Another good tool to use with Windex is a toothbrush. With this product we spray it on the area and wipe/scrub immediately, we do not recommend using Windex on the windshield of your bike.
3. S100 Total Cycle Finish Restorer
So you like chrome everything!? THIS is the product you are going to want to purchase. Dulling? corrosion? dirty? it will bring the showroom shine back into chrome in seconds without leaving scratches or haze!
Price: 15.95
Available at Scotty’s Cycle Shoppe
How to use it:
As you can see from the above picture, we have used the absolute cr*p out of ours. This product is simple and effective. Using a microfiber cloth squeeze a small amount onto the cloth, and then begin rubbing the product onto the chrome in small circles. Use what is on the cloth until it becomes dirty/ grey on the cloth and then wipe off with a separate clean cloth. We have used this on rims with corrosion on them and the bike has left the shop with out a single trace of rust on it!
4. SC1 High Gloss Coating
“New bike in a can” is what they call it and if you like shine and pleasant scents this product will rock your socks. They actually started making car air fresheners to hang up in vehicles because this product smells so good. SC1 is designed to prevent build up of mud and rubber as well as protecting against the elements. Honestly every time we spray this stuff it truly looks like the bike just came from the show room.
Price: $13.95
Available at Scotty’s Cycle shoppe
How to use it:
There a couple of ways of using this product. The first being to spray it directly on a clean surface, allow 60 seconds for it to set up on the surface and enhance the colour. For a dry shine, buff the area with a microfiber cloth. For mud/ rubber release, leave the area wet after spray. Use the product in a ventilated area, although it smells great, it does linger in the air! We liked to think of this product as our secret weapon, but it is too good not to share!
5. Meguiar’s Gold Class Rich Leather Cleaner and Conditioner
Not every motorcycle has leather on it, but we have also used this leather conditioner on coats and gloves as well. We like to make sure if a motorcycle is being detailed that every part is taken care of. Leather saddlebags, seats, coats, or handlebar pouches can become dry, cracked and dirty after a few hard years on the road. Taking care of them will help them last longer and look better!
Price: $14.99
Available at Canadian Tire.
How to use:
In a convenient spray bottle this product cleans and conditions perfectly.
we like to throw a rubber glove on, spray the product onto the surface, and then take a few minutes rubbing it in. When you use a cloth, the product actually soaks into the cloth rather than the leather. So when you rub it in with the rubber glove you are using it to its full potential and ensuring the leather is getting the attention it needs!
So there you have it, we hope this helps maximize your cleaning experience, and brings your hours of cleaning joy with your baby… but SHHHH this is just between us!
Ride safe, road warriors!
-Lan
