Most motorcyclists know that it is necessary to regularly repair and polish their motorcycle. However, many are not equipped with the necessary tools or do not yet have the right technique to do the work themselves. Therefore, it is advisable to get spare parts and motorcycle parts at regular intervals to be able to carry out repair work at short notice.
Polishing is also one of the most important tasks when repairing a motorcycle. A polished motorcycle always looks good and does not show any scratches or scuffs. However, polishing is not only nice to look at, but also very effective. By polishing you remove dirt and oil that can accumulate on the parts of the motorcycle. This makes the motorcycle quieter and more fuel efficient. To polish a motorcycle, you need very little equipment. There is probably no better feeling than seeing your bike shine again in all its glory after a thorough cleaning and care. To achieve this result in the long term, you should consider a few points. In this blog post, we'll give you the best tips for polishing your bike in a step-by-step guide. Here are our 12 tips for a shiny result:
- The first step is to disassemble attachments and mask off other areas of the motorcycle. In order to properly prepare the polish, you should also first carefully check all parts of the engine and repair or modify them if necessary. In our store you can always discover useful spare parts for your motorcycle model, such as the Honda CB 900 F Bol d'or or Honda CBR 1000 RR SC57. Even the smallest parts, like a zndapp - wheel hub, should definitely be considered when checking.
- First of all, you should make sure that your bike is really thoroughly cleaned. A pressure washer is best suited for this. Alternatively, your bike could also be washed with a sponge and soapy water. It is important that you dry all cracks and corners thoroughly afterwards, so that no dirt can get stuck.
- Use these care utensils: polish, cleaning clay, microfiber cloth, universal cleaner, isopropanol, polishing puck or polishing mouse, polishing cloth, wax and possibly a grindstone. Polishes come in many different formulations and types. However, the best choice for your motorcycle is a mild agent with some silicone or carnauba wax. Mild agents remove dirt and oil more effectively than harsh agents, which are often too aggressive and can damage parts of the motorcycle.
- Now, for further cleaning, you can apply a special cleaning dough, which is used to knead the paint. By spraying water and car wash shampoo on the areas to be cleaned and spreading the dough on the paint with circular movements, you remove deep-seated dirt.
- After careful kneading, remove the residue with a microfiber cloth.
- Now use a universal cleaner with a pH value of 12.5, dilute it in a ratio of 1:20 (e.g. Green Star from Kochchemie) and start cleaning again to remove any remaining dirt.
- To get the last streaks and grease off the paint, you can use isopropanol in a 50:50 dilution ratio and wash your bike again.
- Now you are ready to polish your bike. With a finish polish you can achieve a perfect surface shine. A gentle application is achieved with a polishing puck or a polishing mouse, which is even reusable. If you have a polishing plate, this can of course also be used. We recommend that you always polish fine, narrow surfaces by hand to avoid damaging the paint.
- The polish must be applied to the rag and thus passed over the entire motorcycle. It is important that you maintain the same speed and do not skip any spots or press too deeply into the surface. The polish must therefore be spread gently in circular motions with light pressure. If you polish too hard, the paint may start to dull. Then continue polishing in different directions, as you would with a cross slot, to achieve a good result. After you apply the polish, let the product sit for a short time and then polish it off with a soft cloth or microfiber cloth.
- A super soft polishing cloth is important to avoid scratches. Now use this to buff out the areas and remove any polish residue. The wiping motion distributes the polish evenly and there are no unsightly streaks in the paint. If you follow all these points, your bike is guaranteed to shine for a long time!
- For polishing, we recommend a high-quality product that has been specially developed for motorcycles. When choosing a product, make sure that it is suitable for the type of paint on your bike.
- Now the work must also be finished with appropriate paint sealant and the wax treatment begins. This is sprayed on the bike and rubbed so that the paint is polished out. When drops of water run off the paint, the elaborate work has paid off. Now your perfectly polished motorcycle is ready!
Treat rust stains - our additional tip
Some of the most common problems that can occur on motorcycles are rust spots on the tank or frame from wet weather or salt water. Scratches and scuffs can also increase significantly over time. To fix these problems, you should get some proper tools as well as spare parts and motorcycle parts. First, you should wipe or scrape the problem area with a soft cloth. Then you can continue with a polishing sponge or polish until the scuff or scratch is gone. For rust stains, you can either use a special rust remover product or simply spread some caustic soda on the affected area and let it dry. This way you can fight rust and avoid consequential damage. For well-known motorcycle models such as the Yamaha XT 500, Yamaha RD250, Yamaha XT 250 and of course all others, we advocate any measures to maintain a serviceable vehicle.
Your motorcycle will shine perfectly
Now you've learned the most important tips with a detailed guide to a perfectly polished motorcycle. You know what you need for it and how to polish most gently. Now it's just a matter of putting the tips into practice. Take your time to polish and be extra careful. Then the result of your efforts is guaranteed to delight you and every bike part will shine in perfect splendor. If you are still missing spare parts, we will be happy to help you. Many items, from small to large, like a DKW Hummel 101 102 type 801 - ratchet gear Z 38 gear A4254 you can find here. In our online store for used motorcycle spare parts and in our store in Hanover you will discover everything you need in used motorcycle parts and receive expert advice.