(Contributed post)
Some simple maintenance, which can be easily incorporated into the routine of a motorcycle owner, will help – a lot – to prevent damage and to maintain the paint of your two-wheeled vehicle. It is important to keep the paint clean to avoid damage when resold – even minor damage to the frame can devalue any vehicle or result in a lot of workshop costs.
Avoiding scratches, wear and tear on paint is not an impossible mission, but it is first important for the owner to know the type of paint that is done on his motorcycle. In some older models, it is still possible to find solid paint without varnish, which is currently of little use because it is less resistant to time action. Solid varnish paint is widely used by manufacturers today, featuring brighter colors and giving the motor a brighter appearance. If this is a painting done on your motorcycle, the focus is conservation of the varnish, which is responsible for the protective coating of paint that is applied to the parts being painted.
Look at useful tips and simple steps that prevent damage and maintain your motorcycle’s paint:
Cleaning
Keeping the bike clean is the most important. Accumulation of impurities is a major cause of risk. Don’t wait for the rinse to get rid of dust, dirt or grime from your motorcycle, otherwise the friction of the dirt collected with paint will damage the varnish and the damage will not be avoided. Clean your motorcycle with a wet cloth if possible, but be careful: Use only water or certain motorcycle cleaners, neutral soap is a good choice and you can even use it to clean your helmet. General detergents are abrasive and damage paint. Never use a dry cloth that will only pull dirt through the bodywork and cause scratches.
Store your bike well
Keep your motorcycle protected from rain and sun. You might consider materials like those used in cheap car wrap. The acidity of rainwater erodes the varnish, and prolonged exposure to the sun alters the pigmentation of your motorcycle’s paint, giving it an aged and worn look. If your garage is not covered, use a cover to protect it from the action of these natural factors, as well as dust and dirt accumulation.
Wash calmly and carefully
A very common mistake is washing motorcycles with pressurized water equipment. Pressure causes water to seep into the electrical parts, as well as using varnish. Ideally, always wash with cold water, which should be spread gently using a sponge or soft cloth. Use only shampoo for this purpose and rinse as soon as possible. We recommend washing the motor in the shade to avoid stains that may be caused by the sun when the motor soap. Clean the motorcycle with a very soft cloth (e.g. cloth diaper), and leave it on the stand until all the water flows from the powder section, carefully doubling the chrome side to prevent rust. Be careful when using kerosene to clean the engine and wheels: if it comes in contact with plastic and rubber parts, it can cause dryness, and if it touches the paint, the result will be a stain that can only be dried by tinkers.
Wax
If the paint is in perfect condition, use liquid colorless automotive wax. Paste waxes are effective in removing small scratches and are therefore somewhat abrasive, so only use them if you have extreme skill at the time of application, or varnish wear will be inevitable. And whatever wax is used, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use.
We hope these tips can be useful.