New (Used) Black Motorcycle - Where to Start

[LucasVDW]

Hey all I just picked up a black bike and would really like some help on where to start with getting it to a better than showroom shine. There is so much info on here and so many products and the more I realize I'm in over my head! So what's the best way to go about this? What are the best products for black? I'm leaning towards the 3 inch Griot's polisher, assuming I need one to get the best result. I'm also willing to do it by hand if possible.

The bike is a 2005 - no major issues but I doubt it's ever had any kind of product on it. Thanks in advance for your help!

[SilverHawk]

How does the Chrome look?

[LucasVDW]

Originally Posted by SilverHawk

How does the Chrome look?

The chrome is actually all very good - there isn't much of it though because it's a vegas 8-ball which is all blacked out.

[Mike.Phillips@Autogeek]

The 3" Griots and a good supply of 3" pads will work well for a Bike.

Also check out the entire line of s100 products as they are specific to bike detailing.


We're going to have some Live Video Broadcast for how to detail a motorcycle using S100 products as soon as I can schedule it. I've already picked out a Harley in really bad shape.



Hang on, I'll post a picture, until then check out the product selection here,

S100 Cycle Care Products


And watch this video...

Part 1 - Mike Phillips and Bobby Britt detail a...

And if you don't have one yet, definitely get one of these,


Metro Blaster Sidekick

[Mike.Phillips@Autogeek]

Here's the Harley I'm lining up for a live broadcast, it's hard to see from this picture but the chrome and actually entire bike is incredibly stained with road grime...







Be sure to watch all our live broadcasts, you can always pick up a few tips for whatever you're detailing.

Thursday, June 12th starting at 5:00pm

[LucasVDW]

What would be the best products with the griot's 3" to get out the swirls and get the black paint looking flawless, then further to protect it/seal it?

[SilverHawk]

Mike do you have a time frame on the Harley live broadcast? Steel Wool on the Chrome.

[Mike.Phillips@Autogeek]

Originally Posted by LucasVDW

What would be the best products with the griot's 3" to get out the swirls and get the black paint looking flawless, then further to protect it/seal it?

Try the Blackfire Compound and the Blackfire Polish.

Get the 3' Hydro-Tech pads and run the 3" polisher full out on the 6 speed setting.

A few weeks ago I was using this tool to remove #3000 Grit Sanding marks for demos at a car show.

Surgical Buffing


Working on thin panels or intricate areas is what I call surgical buffing. In order to do surgical buffing you need the right tools.

[Mike.Phillips@Autogeek]

The Meguiar's and Optimum Microfiber pads alos work well on the Griot's 3" polisher, I just double checked to refresh my memory on a black test hood.

You can't push down too hard with any type of pad but with good technique you can apply firm pressure and maintain pad rotation.

I'll show this tool on the live broadcast Thursday Night.

[Mike.Phillips@Autogeek]

Originally Posted by SilverHawk

Mike do you have a time frame on the Harley live broadcast?

I have two other cars lined up tentatively, a black Camaro convertible and a Fiat 500, so best thing to do is always check the bottom of the forum homepage because that's where my announcement box is located and anything going on in the studio I post it ahead of time in the box.