Motor cycle detailing questions..

C

civcklr

New member
I was goint to post this in the Motor cycle forums, but it dosen't seem to have many visitors. So, I've ben getting more cars every week, but I have a customer next week who wants me to do his Harley..Seem's the other shops in my area charge around $100.00 -$125.00.. I was thinking $80.00 was fair because I wouldn't think it should take more than two hours??.. Anyway I just wanted to see if you guys may have any tips on doing bikes? Also if $80.00 seem's fair? Any special tools that you'r average moble detailer might not have?
Once again, Thanks for any advice.
Travis @ Image Auto Detail.
 
Bikes can take tiny detail time, especially if they have chrome crevices.
I'd undercharge and chalk it up as a learning experience.
 
If you have a Harley Shop you can get to before the detail you might want to look into buying some S100 Total Cycle Cleaner. It's a spray on, rinse off wash product that does a good job of getting to all the cracks, crevices, and fins that aren't readily accessible. Other than that, it's about like doing a car.

A couple of cautions. Don't use a dressing on the seat that leaves it slick. I think that includes most of them. Same way with the tires. Be sure to stay away from the tread area with the dressing or overspray from the dressing.

Charles
 
Get a spoke brush (megs or EZ-detail are good), it will help a ton for getting in to the tight spaces without marring. Spray cycle cleaner (S100 is a very good one, I've seen a few other kinds locally) then scrub tight spaces with spoke brush. Tank and fenders should be treated as paint, that's what they are.Rinse everything off with a stream then blow off the water (hopefully you have a way of pushing air quickly, if not go get some compressed air cans, you'll be happy you did).
 
Just like cars it all depends on what kind of detail the customer wants. Many look at a bike and think its smaller and should be less. When we do a complete detail on a Harley ( and Harleys is all we do) we are looking at six man hours and charge 250.00
We do not spray and wash...we treat it just like the finest automobile. Quality soap, tire cleaners, polishing soap, steam if necessary, dressings, polish, sealants and wax.
On saturdays there are dealers that lets girls in bikinis do a spray and wash but bikers are paying for the view and not to get a decent detail.
 
3Dog said:
Just like cars it all depends on what kind of detail the customer wants. Many look at a bike and think its smaller and should be less. When we do a complete detail on a Harley ( and Harleys is all we do) we are looking at six man hours and charge 250.00
We do not spray and wash...we treat it just like the finest automobile. Quality soap, tire cleaners, polishing soap, steam if necessary, dressings, polish, sealants and wax.
On saturdays there are dealers that lets girls in bikinis do a spray and wash but bikers are paying for the view and not to get a decent detail.
Click to expand...

Right on 3 dog , i do all my bikes like a full detail on a car . All the same steps for paint and chrome .

P.S. Girls in bikini's washing bikes ?? what a concept :drool
 
i find bikes more time cosuming than cars. there are so MANY tiny areas to get into, chrome to polish, $100.00-125.00 sounds fair. don't be afraid to charge for quality.
 
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