cleaning products, i want shiney!

[salty21]

how would i go about making my bike as shiney as possible

such as pre wax/polish cleaning methods and the best shineyest finishing products.

i have tried "mer" and am not happy with the finish as it seems to leave swirls/cobwebs and feels a little abrasive when applying and also its not damn shiney enough for me. are these perfect polishing cloths worth buying or is it a gimmick?

im sure most of you have been through a fair few cleaners and waxes in your time so please share the wisdom
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04 NSR 125(sold) ---- 03 CBR 600rr(sold) ----90 pan euro ST1100 '' ----02 CG 125
94 CB400 Super Four ---- 2000 VTR SP1 (sold) ---- 08 ninja p8f(sold, meh) ----05 CBR600rr

[c_dug]

Mr.Muscle furniture polish FTW

c_dug
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[Blackwolf]

Haha you have no idea of what youve just started(maby another craig?)

Have a look in the show and tell for a NC29 ( i think by craigs23?)

Or just wait for him to reply here

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=108023
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Current: Ducati Multistrada 1200s

[jake_hyo]

The best polish i've ever used

https://www.theultimatefinish.co.uk/Images/1081-250-250/miracle-shine-polish.png

[Chrispy]

Wash with Carplan wash and wax - shammy off and leave to dry.

Then just polish on ordinary shoe wax (Kiwi or equivalent) - (Lucky as I've got a black bike - could use neutral I suppose) - Apply to all panels you think you can get away with.

It's a twat to polish off (don't leave it to long before polishing - i.e. one panel at a time, in the shade) but worth the effort.

Once done, leave in the sun (the sun...you know, that big orange thing that lives 93 million miles away - you must remember it).

Then overcoat with standard Autoglym silicon polish.

Treat the ally to Tesco Natural Beeswax (spray) furniture polish (only 83p a can).

I just use ordinary soft yellow dusters to put polish on with and take off again.

Any other exposed metally bits get sprayed with WD40 and excess wiped off.

I wouldn't anticipate having to re-wax using shoe polish for next 5 washes.
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Then - Hyosung GV125C Aquila; Kawasaki ER-6F; GSXR 600 K8; Street Triple Mk2; Now - ZX6R
"Viene la tormenta!"

[Poseidon]

Try the AUTOGLYM extra gloss protection...

You have to wash and wax the bike first. Once you've polished it with whatever wax you want, you put the gloss on, leave it for an hour and then buff it like mad. It's hard work but with 2 coats of gloss, it looks like a sheet of glass on top of the paint!

Only used it on my car (still a bike learner) but it's well worth the effort!

[salty21]

muc-off ultimate shine is exactly what i nearly bought today

but after reading most of the bottles in halfords, they all claim to be the "ultimate polish" so rather than spend a fortune trying them all, i thought i would ask here first to see which is king in the polish world.
____________________
04 NSR 125(sold) ---- 03 CBR 600rr(sold) ----90 pan euro ST1100 '' ----02 CG 125
94 CB400 Super Four ---- 2000 VTR SP1 (sold) ---- 08 ninja p8f(sold, meh) ----05 CBR600rr

[craigs23]

Wax will not remove swirl marks, it'll just cover them with a coating - they'll still be visible.

There's a difference between waxing and polishing. Wax should only be used as a final coat, not a cleaner as itself. Defeats the point really.

Best wax I've used so far is from Zymol. Not cheap though. Their Field Glaze works a treat as an inbetween wax coat finisher. I tend to only wax my bike after a thorough clean, usually once a month or two, and even that's overkill.

[JockyT]

+1 Mister Drewie

I have used Autoglym for years - great stuff and it goes a long way. For a good shine, use Super Resin polish (easy to put on and buff off) then Extra Gloss Protection which is a semi clear liquid you put on, allow to dry for 10-15 mins and buff off. They also do an Ultra Deep Shine but I haven't tried it.

All their stuff is easy to use (easy to buff off) and leaves no mess or residue.

Halfrauds have 3 for the price of two offer on at the moment, which makes it decent value considering how long it lasts - a 500ml bottle of polish has lasted me years.

JT

PS Autoglym Metal Polish is far better than Autosol.
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Current Bikes:
YBR125 - low running cost commuter
XJ600s - a bit dull but cheap and reliable first big bike

[salty21]

[craigs23]

Swirl mark removal is getting into the realms of detailing, rather than cleaning. This may help to start you off. I'm still at the practicing stage of detailing, so haven't written a guide yet. In the meantime, this might offer some help:

https://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=4536

[salty21]

cheers for that craig, very interesting read

it mentions not using sponges to wash, what alternatives are there and would you reccomend microfibre polishing cloths?

for the first test i think i will try normal wash and wax then muc-off miracle shine then to top it off i think i will try either autoglym extra gloss protection or the ultra deep shine.

i think more research is required before i tackle the swirls(seems quite complex)

will let you know how it goes and mighn't post some pics if anyones interested in seeing the finish.

thanks all
____________________
04 NSR 125(sold) ---- 03 CBR 600rr(sold) ----90 pan euro ST1100 '' ----02 CG 125
94 CB400 Super Four ---- 2000 VTR SP1 (sold) ---- 08 ninja p8f(sold, meh) ----05 CBR600rr

[Fnatic]

https://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm255/DeclanJ/P8012855.jpg

https://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm255/DeclanJ/P8012856.jpg

I use this little set which is meant for cars but I got it free at the motor show

[salty21]

shame on you, there all untouched
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04 NSR 125(sold) ---- 03 CBR 600rr(sold) ----90 pan euro ST1100 '' ----02 CG 125
94 CB400 Super Four ---- 2000 VTR SP1 (sold) ---- 08 ninja p8f(sold, meh) ----05 CBR600rr

[Fnatic]

That was before I used them

Used a few bottles now on my RS50 but seeing as its been out twice and is garaged until repaired I will just polish it up when I come to sell it.

Then save the rest for a real bike

[craigs23]

[Louise]

I work for Hein Gericke and I have use every product avalible from our store.
The best stuff was 'Shine and Go'
Smells damm good too - Normally spray it in my trainers first thing in the morning (Shop stock of course )
But its pretty good stuff.
If my bike looks like wank outside the shop ill give it a quick buff - takes 5 mins and looks good

[salty21]

a fountain of knowledge
____________________
04 NSR 125(sold) ---- 03 CBR 600rr(sold) ----90 pan euro ST1100 '' ----02 CG 125
94 CB400 Super Four ---- 2000 VTR SP1 (sold) ---- 08 ninja p8f(sold, meh) ----05 CBR600rr

[salty21]

spent 6 hours doing the bike yesterday, popped to tesco afterwards and it launched it down as soon as i got halfway there

spent a further 4 hours today goin over it again to get rid of the rain marks and road grit.

i used carplan wash and wax first then gave mer another chance (sein as it cost me 14 quid) then last off i used autoglym ultra deep shine(2 coats).
____________________
04 NSR 125(sold) ---- 03 CBR 600rr(sold) ----90 pan euro ST1100 '' ----02 CG 125
94 CB400 Super Four ---- 2000 VTR SP1 (sold) ---- 08 ninja p8f(sold, meh) ----05 CBR600rr

[craigs23]

Looks tidy, nice work.

[MarJay]

I usually use:

AutoGlym Motorcycle degreaser (then agitate bad areas with a brush), then degrease again.

Then AutoGlym Motorcycle cleaner, again agitate bad bits with a sponge, although there shouldn't really be any after degreasing.

Then AutoGlym Instant Bike shine.

Usually serves me pretty well.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[B_A_B]

[Reppyboyo]

I use Super Resin Polish (1 layer) and Extra Gloss Protection ( 2 layers) and finish it off with a good wax, around 3 layers.

[chris-red]