How we perfect motorcycles

See our detailed process

Motorcycles and cars have many similarities in material composition; however, when detailing a motorcycle, there are unique considerations to take into account. Many materials are tightly packed together. Detailing for each material requires creating separate workflows for some parts of the process. Our process for motorcycles has many similarities to the process of detailing a car’s exterior. While this process is on a smaller scale, there is an increased complexity in managing parts to reduce cross contamination and overspill of chemicals designed for chrome or glass that could pose a hazard for authentic leather seats.

Wash

Detailing Wizards offers this motorcycle detailing service as a default. We believe that our customers deserve high-quality work without cutting corners. We offer this detailing service to refresh a motorcycle’s body, wheels, and trim to our high standard without creating a barrier to entry for services like offering protection. Our motorcycle detail focuses on removing surface contaminants, restoring clarity, and adding a sacrificial layer that protects the motorcycle’s clear coat, paint, and chrome in its current condition.

We begin by inspecting each motorcycle to assess the condition of each panel’s paint, every wheel, and all glass surfaces. We assess for any weak spots that may become damaged during the detailing process. We then use a pressurized stream of water to remove any loose surface-level debris from the entire body. It’s important to not begin cleaning by hand at this stage to avoid causing micro scratches in the motorcycle’s painted or chrome surfaces. Next, we use a foaming shampoo to further loosen contaminants. We allow the foam time to dwell before rinsing again.

For trim, our regular detailing process won’t restore and protect the original color of plastic and rubber. We offer an additional service to restore these surfaces and protect them. Please see our total coverage coating service listed below for more information about this service’s process.

Wheel and tires

We detail wheels by using an assortment of iron and tar removal alongside pressurized water and drill brushes as needed to remove deep contaminants without risking damage to painted surfaces. Once the wheels and tires are sufficiently clean, a tire shine is applied to the tire surface at the end of the detailing procedure. For additional and longer-lasting protection, please see our total coverage coating service listed below to create a significantly stronger barrier.

Glass

We detail all glass surfaces such as mirrors, windows, and the windshield separately from the rest of the motorcycle in order to prevent overspray and prevent streaks. We use pressurized water as well as our own glass cleaner. Our in-house glass cleaner has been more effective than other cleaners we’ve used and doesn’t leave a residue. Once the entire motorcycle is clean, we apply a layer of P&S Bead Maker to provide a base level of protection to all glass surfaces. The hydrophobic layer we add improves visibility while reducing the need for using windshield wipers. This finish results in a clear and uniform finish. For a more durable and even higher quality finish, please see our total coverage coating service listed below.

Leather

Detailing Wizards applies leather protection to restore moisture, prevents drying and cracking, and to protect leather from UV damage, body oils, and contaminants. Detailing Wizards offers conditioner protection by default, but we also offer an optional leather coating for longer and superior protection.

If leather coating isn’t requested by a customer, we’ll apply a leather conditioner that will still offer some form of protection. For traditional leather, we use Meguiar’s Gold Class Leather Conditioner Spray. We apply the conditioner to a microfiber towel or applicator pad and wipe evenly across the surface and allow the conditioner to be absorbed into the leather. We finish by buffing the surface lightly with a clean microfiber towel to remove any excess product. For a more durable and even higher quality finish, please see our total coverage coating service listed below.

Drying and ceramic sealant

We perform one more final rinse and then use a Tornador or air blow gun to remove excess water from the body and around trim areas. We finish drying with a microfiber cloth to remove any remaining moisture and prevent water spots from forming on the paint, wheels, or trim. Once the motorcycle is completely dry, we prepare to apply Chem X Snake Oil as a ceramic sealant. This layer of protection resists UV, elements, contaminants, and very light abrasion. With proper maintenance, this layer lasts between 1-3 months depending on a wide range of conditions. Before applying ceramic sealant, we wipe each painted panel with either Optimum Paint Prep or Gyeon Paint Prep. This removes any residue from the panel and allows for a stronger bond between the clear coat and the ceramic sealant without leaving any streaks.

We first apply a ceramic spray to provide strength and basic protection to the motorcycle. While this product is stronger than wax, it’s not as strong as a ceramic coating. Finally, we apply P&S Bead Maker to glass and paint because it will give the motorcycle an excellent shine as well as providing a hydrophobic layer to the entire motorcycle.

Paint + chrome correction

This process of removing any of the clear coat may seem counter intuitive. By performing paint correction and following this process, the motorcycle’s paint becomes more protected while retaining more of the clear coat than if it were to simply be left to wear over time. It’s nearly identical to the process of having your teeth cleaned by a dentist. Our process results in a long-lasting beautiful shine that remains protected and valuable.

Preparation and inspection

We begin by inspecting each panel’s paint and clear coat as well as all chrome using white-balanced LED inspection lights. We inspect under diffuse lighting and point-source lighting. Additionally, we inspect under natural sunlight when available. This inspection process is crucial as it allows us to identify swirls, RIDS (random isolated deep scratches), holograms, oxidation, etching, staining, and any other defects. We record embedded defects, defects under the clear coat, and surface-level, light defects. We use a paint thickness gauge to assess the depth of the clear coat as well as the paint. We record differences between panels as well as edges and high spots. We also record any areas that may have been repainted or temporarily covered.

Paint and chrome correction only removes small layers of the clear coat or chrome. We assess the thickness of the clear coat to determine how aggressive our correction process should be for each panel and section. Through our experience, we also account for trends in differences between manufacturers and their paint hardness. Detailing Wizards chooses pad material, polishing machine type, the number of passes, and overall abrasion depending on the hardness level assessed through the experience we have built since becoming established in 2018. Too much abrasion risks damaging paint, and too little leaves the defects visible. Much like a dentist drilling and filling a cavity, it’s extremely important to proceed with caution and expertise.

Chemical decontamination

Before we can begin correcting paint, we must decontaminate the clear coat and the chrome. We use iron remover to remove particles of brake dust and other fallout. Iron remover breaks down the bond between the clear coat and iron and removes particles without any risk of abrasion. This step is important so that micro scratches do not occur during the polishing process. Tar remover is used with the same concept for any contaminants that stick to the clear coat like sap, old grease and oil, and any other contaminants. Once we finish chemical decontamination, we begin mechanical decontamination.

Mechanical decontamination

Detailing Wizards removes deeply embedded contaminants to avoid causing further defects during the paint correction process. To remove surface and deeply embedded contaminants, we use a clay bar or clay towel. These physically grab contaminants like rocks, dirt, and other small particles and pull them out of the clear coat. We begin with a clay towel since it’s much less abrasive and doesn’t pose the same risk of stripping away the clear coat and paint like a clay bar does. It’s important to use extreme caution during this step to not cause any damage to the clear coat or chrome itself. We only use these products as absolutely necessary and we polish afterward.

We establish a small section as a test section and polish it before committing to our full process. We determine the correct level of polishing for each section by beginning with our least aggressive pad and polish. We will use a dual action polisher, rotary polisher, or forced rotation polisher as needed determined by size, shape, flatness, and complexity of each section of a panel. This is determined through experience as well as documented best results across all our work. We will increase abrasion only as absolutely necessary. For each type of defect, we use a specialized process.

Polishing

For light swirls and marring with an adequate clear coat and no heavy RIDS, we begin with our polisher using a finishing or light cut pad along with a fine abrasive polish. This process will remove most visible defects while removing only a minimal undetectable layer of the clear coat.

For moderate swirls with a moderate clear coat and paint thickness and only light RIDS, we begin with cutting. We use a dual action or forced rotation polisher with a microfiber or foam cutting pad. We use a medium to heavy compound depending on the depth of a given section. We’ll then refine the area with a softer pad and finish with a fine finishing polish. This process will correct for most defects if not all for a typical vehicle that has not been corrected and coated.

For heavy defects and older uncorrected and non-protected paint with evidence of heavy RIDS, oxidation, etching, or heavy marring from previous improper polishing, we’ll move onto our most abrasive process. We use a rotary polisher for the initial cut along with a heavy compound. We’ll make multiple passes as needed. It’s important to proceed with extreme caution during this step, as inexperience can lead to cutting too deeply and removing the clear coat entirely. The objective is to only cut a minimal amount of clear coat and protect it as much as possible.

Spot Sanding is only used with extreme caution as an absolute last-resort depending on what the customer’s goals are for paint correction. If desired for heavily defected sections, we use a fine grit up to 3000 before finishing with compound and fine polish.

For light oxidation on metal and chrome surfaces, we polish by hand using Chem X metal polish. We use a spray as needed for a bike’s metal and chrome that are in good condition. We will use a compound that is stronger only as needed. Usually, only the spray is needed for something like a Harley that’s been well taken care of.

For heavier oxidation on metal and chrome, we use very fine steel wool (0000 only) with the same lubricant or polish. It’s important to only continue with this step using extreme caution. If done without proper skill and experience, chrome-plated surfaces can easily be dulled or damaged.

When there’s deep pitting or rust under the chrome, it’s only possible to continue with cosmetic treatment. In some cases, it’s possible to use an iron remover along with steel wool to correct chrome that has severely degraded.

Characteristics of paint types

Detailing Wizards’ expertise has allowed Jake Ramos to develop clear methods for how to interpret and correct various paint types. Hard, soft, aged, and damaged paint all have widely different characteristics and it’s important to approach each type with knowledge and skill to deliver the absolute highest quality service.

Hard paint is physically stronger, meaning that defects are more difficult to acquire, but also more difficult to remove. This creates a lower risk scenario for those who may be inexperienced, but it’s still important to use the right tools only as they are necessary. This means that hard paint will typically require more steps than softer paint. After correction, hard paint finishes smoothly more easily.

Soft paint that can be found very commonly in Japanese manufacturers tends to have the opposite characteristics of hard paint. Defects form more easily, but are also more easy to remove. It’s important to proceed with extreme caution when working with soft paint as it’s much easier to marr, or further defect the paint than on hard paint. Swirls can easily be introduced if not cleaned, polished, and dried correctly. This makes the refining process more important.

Aged paint will have a thinner clear coat due to damage from UV rays or in some cases no clear coat at all. With vehicles like these, it’s extremely important to balance removal processes. Removing oxidation and other defects could easily lead to removing paint itself. Vehicles like these should be left to professional premium level servicers. The same applies to severely damaged paint as the clear coat may be compromised. If the paint is too damaged and correction cannot be performed, the recommendation may be to repaint the section or entire panel instead.

Final touches and inspection

After finishing polishing, we wipe each panel with IPA to remove any residue or streaks from polishing. We will reinspect each panel as we did before to confirm no swirls, RIDS, holograms, oxidation, etching, staining, and any other defects are present. We confirm that each panel is finished uniformly and upholds Detailing Wizards high expectation of quality. To finish our process, we apply a ceramic coating as detailed below. If a customer does not wish to proceed with a ceramic coating, we will apply a complimentary ceramic sealant as detailed above.

Detailing Wizards paint + chrome ceramic coating

Motorcycle chrome presents a unique challenge that eclipses what can be done within a typical car wash. The process is highly specific and different from detailing paint. For metal and chrome surfaces, we use Gtechniq’s C5. It has a high resistance to heat. Since motorcycle chrome is often carrying heat from the engine, it’s important to use a coating that last under extreme conditions. For painted surfaces, we use DPC Flash Back. For oxidized or neglected chrome, we may use an air sprayer to apply the ceramic coat on tight surfaces. Then we use a heater to bake the coating into the surface. This process removes the need to wipe the coating on and then off again, and results in the coating covering the entire chrome surface.

Detailing Wizards motorcycle total coverage restoration and coating

Detailing Wizards offers wheel, tire, glass, trim, and rubber coatings in a single package to restore a perfect fresh appearance and protect against UV damage, fading, and deterioration across the entire motorcycle.

Trim and rubber restoration and coating

We begin with cleaning the trim thoroughly through the process stated above. For heavily oxidized and faded trim, we wipe down all plastic trim surfaces with Mineral Spirits to fully strip the surface and remove any residue. We then apply Cerakote Trim Coating according to manufacturer instructions. We use Cerakote Trim Coating because it has the best bond and largest effect on aged trim. When plastic fades and oxidizes, the surface becomes rough, giving something for the ceramics in the product to bond to. This brings out the original deep color, while providing more protection against UV and abrasion. For lightly aged surfaces, there is less for the product to bond to, resulting in an unideal bond and reduced restorative effect.

For new or well-maintained trim we wipe down all plastic trim surfaces with Mineral Spirits to fully strip the surface and remove any residue. We then apply AMMO Trim Coating for protection and longevity. AMMO Trim Coating is a ceramic coating that is formulated specifically to bond to new trim and results in a deeper and clearer finish to the trim while providing protection that prevents heavy oxidation from the beginning.

For faded black rubber trim and weatherstripping, we will clean and lightly polish the surface before we wipe down all plastic trim surfaces with Mineral Spirits to fully strip the surface and remove any residue. We then apply Nextzett Gummi Pflege Rubber Care Stick to restore flexibility, color, and protection. A Nextzett Gummi Pflege Rubber Care Stick is used like a conditioner for rubber that helps it retain moisture and resist cracking. We use this product for its simplicity in application while still delivering a high quality finish restoring detail in rubber trim.

Windshield and glass coating

Detailing Wizards offers glass coatings to improve visibility, safety, and water repellency while reducing the need for wiper use in wet conditions.

After the glass surfaces have been cleaned thoroughly, we will decontaminate the surface with a clay bar to remove deeply bonded contaminants. We remove any water spots or mineral deposits as needed with degreaser to ensure a clean, bare surface. Once the surface is ready for application, we apply Gyeon View EVO Windshield Ceramic Glass Coating or GYEON Quartz QuickView Ceramic Rain Repellent, following manufacturer instructions. Detailing Wizards uses QuickView due to its simple application and lack of residue. Windshields and glass take on a significant amount of environmental abrasion and contamination. Actions like rolling windows and using windshield wipers wear off the protective layer applied to the glass surface. With proper maintenance, glass surfaces retain perfect clarity and are resistant to fogging and accumulating water. Water simply beads and rolls off the surface effortlessly, resulting in safer and more aware riding.

Glass coatings typically last 3 to 6 months, depending on driving conditions and maintenance. Detailing Wizards will recommend a maintenance plan based on efficacy of the coating over a period of time.

Wheel and tire coating

Detailing Wizards offers wheel coatings to protect wheels from brake dust buildup, heat, and contamination while simplifying future cleaning. After performing our wheel cleaning process as listed in our standard wash and ceramic sealant service, preparation for our coating process is complete.

Iron on wheels comes from brake dust. We use an iron remover that causes a chemical reaction to turn the iron into a water-soluble compound, which breaks its bond to the wheel so it can be rinsed away without abrasion. Tar is asphalt and petroleum-based so we use a tar remover that works as a solvent. The solvent penetrates the tar and dissolves it, making it become soft or liquid allowing it to be easily wiped or rinsed off. We use a solvent to prevent any smearing or residue. It’s important to scrub minimally because both contaminants are removed by chemical action. Aggressive brushing risks scratching the clear coat on painted wheels or causing micro scratches in the wheel’s metal.

We will use IPA to remove any remaining residue or oils and then apply Gtechniq C5 Wheel Armour evenly to the wheel surface. Wheels take significant abuse from heat, contaminants, grime, salt, rocks, other environmental elements, and even other detailing chemicals. In order to offer the most protection, we use a coating that is designed to withstand very harsh conditions. Finally, we allow the coating to dwell for approximately one minute before wiping off excess coating using a clean microfiber towel.

Detailing Wizards includes semi-permanent tire coatings as part of our motorcycle trim coating package to provide long-lasting protection and a consistent finish with our wheel coating service. After the tire is thoroughly detailed through the process listed in our exterior detail, we will use Mineral Spirits to remove any remaining residues and oils from the rubber surface. It’s the only chemical product Detailing Wizards uses for rubber surfaces and is essential to apply before tire coatings. We then apply Dura-Dressing Total Tire Kit XL evenly to the entire surface of the tire and allow curing time for the coating to bond to the rubber completely.

Leather Protection

Detailing Wizards offers leather ceramic coatings for long-term protection. Leather coatings provide superior protection against dye transfer, abrasion, UV damage, and liquids. Unlike conditioners, coatings create a sacrificial barrier that dramatically extends the life of the leather.

For our total coverage coating service, we apply Gyeon Leather Shield EVO. We first ensure the leather is completely clean and free of conditioners or residue before application. We apply the coating using a suede applicator in thin, even passes. We then allow proper flash and curing time per manufacturer guidelines. It’s important to not alter the finish since the product leaves a natural, factory-like appearance. It’s also important to maintain the coating to allow the leather to prevent aging and damage to the maximum extent.