Could Use Some Tips from the Pros-Possibly Detailing 2 Harley`s...

**91LSMAN** · 04-21-2005, 07:40 PM

Ok, I`m in Property management and the guy that cleans our carpets has a Harley and his father has a Harley. He knows I`m into detailing and might want to get into it more, so he asked me today if I want to do their bikes. I said yes, but let me get back to you on price, day, etc.

After I talked to him I called a couple local detail shops to see what they would charge-one of them said $75-$500 depending on how much they do. Another said $100. I`ll be washing, claying if necessary, polishing paint, sealing, waxing, etc. Being that these would be my first bikes, how much should I charge?

Any other tips for bikes?

Can I use Natural look on the seats?

Thanks everyone-I`d kinda like to get back to him tomorrow.

**hd-nut** · 04-21-2005, 08:02 PM

Bike week in Daytona they get $150.00 a bike behind the
harley dealer, and that was 4 yrs ago that I was last there.

**maximv1** · 04-21-2005, 08:27 PM

the harley dealer i bought my bike from charges $70.00 for a detail and i can guarantee it will not be as good in quality. i think $100.00 is fair. i would be c areful about seat treatment. make sure it is not slippery in the least bit, because that will probably make them upset if they are slipping around on the seat.i find my bike easier to detail and shorter time so you should benifit there. also find out if they are in a hog chapter and if they have a newsletter you can advertise in. some chapters have several hundered members so you could squeeze your way into a steady list of clients. most bike ownersi know are VERY picky about their babies so they will pay top dollar to keep them looking good. good luck

**maximv1** · 04-21-2005, 08:29 PM

sorry, i forgot. for the tires, use murphy`s oil soap. it will leave a bit of a shine but not be dangerous. never use dressing on bike tires. too much of a lean and she is dumped.

**Poorboy** · 04-21-2005, 08:42 PM

Bikes are sometimes fun and sometimes a headache...done quite a few

On chrome pipes use only a non-abrasive polish without silicone

some newer bikes have coated aluminum forks and older ones have polished aluminum...that would make a difference in polishes used...

for the painted parts like the tank and fenders, i prefer a sealant vs wax...bike put off a lot of heat and sealants will do better in the long run

if the bike has solid wheels or spokes will make a huge difference in pricing
(I usually pass on the spoked bikes as they can become very time consuming and unless you are charging by the hour you could just be wasting your time...that`s why you heard such a large difference in price 70-500)

yes NL is fine on the seat as long as it is well buffed afterwards ...I`ve also used it on side walls of tires, but never on the treads..a good scrubbing with an APC is all you do on the treads...

good luck and pm me if you need more info..:hippi

**rollman** · 04-21-2005, 09:09 PM

Keep in mind a bike could take just as long if not longer then a typical car detail. Look around for a product called Luster Lace its great on spoke wheels .

**Hawaiianelement** · 04-21-2005, 09:13 PM

I`ve used PB`s PWC with great results on paint and chrome and etc. I use a soft toothbrush as an applicator for the tight spots to clean and apply. good luck . I`d say 75.00 to 100.00 for each . Tell them its 100 this time because you`re claying and next time you `ll give`em a lower price...Just a thought.

**91LSMAN** · 04-21-2005, 09:13 PM

Thanks for all the tips so far everyone!!!!

I will take everything being said and think it all over.

Seeing the prices you have posted, I`ll tell you that I was thinking of charging $90 per bike for two reasons-#1 they will both be my first bikes-#2- I consider this gentleman a friend and when I told him I was thinking of getting more into detailing he was the most supportive person next to my parents.

I really appreciate all the information.

Thank You.

Steve-I`ll PM you with a "Poorboys" specific question or two. :naughty

**91LSMAN** · 04-21-2005, 09:18 PM

ALMOST FORGOT ONE THING: One of the bikes has a slight problem area. His boot hit a hot chrome exhaust piece and there is some rubber that melted on a bit. I was going to clay and polish that portion-good idea?

**91LSMAN** · 04-22-2005, 12:31 AM

OK-After Reading these responses again, and looking at some older threads here will be my process:

Wash
Dry with leaf blower on low
Go over with Absorber/microfiber to get the rest of the water
SSRs on paint
PP on everything else
EX on whatever I can :lol
Spray and Gloss on Every surface I can see and some that I can`t LOL
NL on seat

Charge-$90 per bike.

Anyone see any problems?

**maximv1** · 04-22-2005, 05:47 AM

any polish will take off the melted rubber. i have they same problem once and a while and it cleans easily.

**hd-nut** · 04-22-2005, 08:42 AM

You will also need to blacken up the powdercoat
on the motor if it has a black motor. I use S100
engine brightner. This step must be done to really
bring the color out on those engine cases. Other stuff
might work on the motor too.

**91LSMAN** · 04-22-2005, 09:14 AM

Originally Posted by maximv1

any polish will take off the melted rubber. i have they same problem once and a while and it cleans easily.

Thanks-good to know!!!

**91LSMAN** · 04-22-2005, 09:15 AM

Originally Posted by hd-nut

You will also need to blacken up the powdercoat
on the motor if it has a black motor. I use S100
engine brightner. This step must be done to really
bring the color out on those engine cases. Other stuff
might work on the motor too.

Yeah, I`ve never seen the bikes, so I son`t know where the paint/powdercoat starts and the chrome begins, so to speak. I`m going to call him later today to set this up and play it by ear when the time comes.

Thanks again for all the information everyone-it is HIGHLY appreciated!!

**91LSMAN** · 04-22-2005, 10:41 AM

Just talked to him again. I thought I`d call him before I go to work, that way I`m not thinking about it all day. :lol

His father`s bike has less than 500 miles on it.

His bike was purchased used and has a lot of chrome accents on it. He said I would be spending a lot more time on his bike than his father`s. He said he`ll talk to his father and get back to me. They are leaving town on May 11th, so if this happens it`ll probably be on Sunday May 1st.

I told him $90 per bike, but I`m starting to think that I`ll do his for $90 and his father`s for around $75 being that there are not many miles on it.

Oh, well-as they say-the ball is in his court now. :lol