Detailing a Harley

[DP 08 GXP]

well my cousin is goin to be selling his Harley and wants me to detail it for him...i previously fixed his front fender after he put a leather bag on it for a trip and i took care of the scuffs/scratches it created.....anybody have any tips for a full detail on a motorcycle? i am trying to figure out if i want to use my flex 3401 or the 4'' pads on a drill since i dont have my PC anymore.....the flex will make quick work but with the fenders not having a lot of surface area i dont want to cause any damage....the longest part is goin to be using the metal polish on the chrome which shouldnt be a problem....im all ears

[whiterp199]

I would spot pad on the drill. Motorcycles have tight spots. They can also take as long as or longer then a car because of all nooks and crannies that water can sit in that need to be cleaned polished. Post up pics though.

[mc2hill]

Personally, I would be leery of using the drill on those small surfaces and would stick with the Flex and 4" pads. I would also consider using FMP on the chrome just to save time!

 

Remember you're detailing for a sale, not for keeping. I spent all day cleaning up a car for my son's girlfriend to sell. I enjoyed 'practicing' on the really bad paint, but it really should have only taken a couple of hours to wash, wax, vacuum, and do the black trim to improve it for sale.

[whiterp199]

Personally, I would be leery of using the drill on those small surfaces and would stick with the Flex and 4" pads. I would also consider using FMP on the chrome just to save time!

 

Remember you're detailing for a sale, not for keeping. I spent all day cleaning up a car for my son's girlfriend to sell. I enjoyed 'practicing' on the really bad paint, but it really should have only taken a couple of hours to wash, wax, vacuum, and do the black trim to improve it for sale.

 

Good point about the sale. Can you get the four inch pads on the flex? If not I would use a drill that does not have lots of power probably like a 9 or 12 volt.

[b_pappy]

You'll have to figure out how much you want to polish the paint. But use the metal polish on all the chrome that needs it, then give it a nice coat of Brilliant Glaze to the paint & chrome. Depending on the model Harley you might also use some In&Out if it's got the black engine cases, fairing dash, etc. In&Out on the satin black surfaces looks great.

Bruce

[DP 08 GXP]

the flex doesnt work with the 4'' pads so looks like the focus pads will be used....good point on it being done for the sale....kinda forget that aspect.....thanks for the advice guys and i will post some pics next week when i do it.

[whiterp199]

the flex doesnt work with the 4'' pads so looks like the focus pads will be used....good point on it being done for the sale....kinda forget that aspect.....thanks for the advice guys and i will post some pics next week when i do it.

 

Since it is for the sale I would throw a coat of brilliant glaze on a test spot to see if it masks the imperfections. If it does I would just BG it and focus on the chrome.

[Team Adam's]

Head to the local hardware store and pickup a wide variety of foam paint brushes for cleaning in all the tight spots. Be prepared to spend a lot of time doing tedious work in tight spaces. Also you can use my MF pouch trick to make yourself a nice MF polishing glove:

 

http://www.adamsforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4119

[DP 08 GXP]

thanks for he advice Dylan.....i called him tonight to set it up and he said he "had some things come up" so he couldnt afford it anymore....such is life i guess

[Chris@Adams]

Is the motor have the black crinkle finish? The Harley shop use to sell a product that you could spray on it dress it up,kinda like In & Out Spray.

Matter of fact In & Out might just be your best friend. Make sure the motor is cool. Post up pics!

[Cook]

I just detailed a harley that went on a mass to georgia then back to mass trip. Filled with bug cuts dried and caked onto the front end. I hit it with some APC followed by some gentle scrubbed and everything came off easily. I then followed up with Metal Polish 1 & 2. The results were amazing.

[Osok]

The focus pad kit from Adams comes with the backing plate and adapter to fit the PC and an adapter to fit a drill.

[6spdg37s]

the flex doesnt work with the 4'' pads so looks like the focus pads will be used....good point on it being done for the sale....kinda forget that aspect.....thanks for the advice guys and i will post some pics next week when i do it.

i believe uber sells a 4" pad kit for the flex

[JJ1o87]

I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post this, but Phil from detailers domain offers this:

 

http://www.detailersdomain.com/theuber3inchbackingplateforrotariesandorbitals.aspx