I got a job offer to detail my friends bike but I have never done a bike before. I've done thousands of cars and some boats but never a bike. The bike seems to have a lot of flat spray paint, some chrome, etc. It's a chopper. Can anybody give me a quick rundown, maybe some links, or some suggestions? I have been reading everything I can find off google but would like some real world advice too. I need to see if I need to pickup some new supplies too. I brushes and some Megs APC+ but I think that won't be safe on the chrome? By the looks of it, its like doing an engine bay with a lot of chrome and grease. When we clean up my friends dirtbikes we just spray it down with Simple Green HD (safe on metals) and then pressure wash and it comes out great.
I have a 2011 KTM dirtbike and have been obsessed with keeping it showroom clean. I have been using Chemical Guy's CWG diluted around 1:10 with great results as it breaks up oil quite well. I have also used Megs APC at 1:10, but don't have experience with the APC+. I've even done my bike with ONR. I'd stay away from using a pressure washer, let the products do the work. Wheel bearings get chewed up with water getting past seals, and I don't even chance it with my dirtbike. I've replaced parts due to my own stupidity using a pressure washer, don't use one unless the bike gets torn down like a race bike after every race and regreased. Clean flat paint with a Swisswax style brush and APC, rinse, let air dry. Clean the chrome with a brush and some MFs. Be sure the bike gets dried completely, every nook and cranny. Spray nooks with WD40. I'd hit the chrome with some P21S polishing soap, or a cream metal polish. 106ff or PO85RD would work fine, just a polish you trust. WD40 is your friend. I use it everywhere on my case, metal parts, whatever. Spray it onto electronics, it dries them out. Fantastic stuff. WD40 is a mild solvent, so don't spray it onto areas that require grease unless you plan to regrease the area. If you're feeling fancy, slap some BelRay grease around the wheel bearings. With no correction duties, it should be an easier job. The time consumption will be on your knees looking up at the bike, this is how everything hits the bike. There is a learning curve, but just budget enough time. Good luck!
