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CLEANING THE PAINT - PHASE 3 - WAXING AND POLISHING
This is where
the great debate of protecting motorcycle paint finishes begins.
There are basically two product categories; polymers, which are
synthetic, and wax, which are organic. There are pros and cons to
each and die hards to support both sides.
Polymers
As a general rule, polymer based products will have substantially
longer durability than a wax product. Thanks to the power of creative
advertising you will see polishes that will last up to five years
with one application. In three to four years you will not need a
close look at your paint to know why they are not highly recommended.
The nod also goes to polymers when comparing ease of use. The cost
of polymers is usually slightly higher than the cost of organic
waxes. Some argue that this is offset by the more frequent use of
organic waxes. It is recommended that polymers are removed once
a year and re-applied. This is where the debate gets very sticky.
Because of the way that lower quality polymers bond to the paint,
expansion and contraction is very limited, which can cause the paint
to crack. This is where your discount specials really don't shine.
Polishes are usually applied by placing the polish directly on an
applicator, blotting together, and then applied to the paint in
a lateral motion. As with any application, do a small area, let
dry to a slight haze and then buff with a clean soft cloth. Some
products are buffer friendly, while others are designed to be applied
by hand. Refer to the product label for specific use. Buffers and
motorcycles don't mix. The spinning action of the buffer wheel can
easily grab brake cable, clutch cables and electrical wiring. It's
safer to leave buffing for a hand application only.
Organic Waxes (Carnauba)
Following are some of the pros and cons of organic wax. Most major
paint manufacturers recommend carnauba wax as a primary paint protectant.
Carnauba waxes are not only recommended for American paints, but
also for Japanese and German paint products. Because of the bonding
properties of organic wax, there is no restriction to expansion
and contraction on the painted surface. Carnauba wax will also give
greater depth of shine and brilliance than a polymer product. That's
one of the reasons why 99% of custom car and show motorcycle enthusiasts
use a carnauba wax. However, organic waxes do need to be replaced
more frequently than a polymer product. Organic waxes come in various
forms, sprays, liquids, and paste. Application of carnauba wax should
only be done after the bike is thoroughly washed and the paint has
been cleaned. I personally prefer the carnauba paste wax to the
liquid variety. The purest auto and bike enthusiast will apply paste
wax with their bare hands. It's said it gives a sense of feel for
any contaminants and also a better feel of the amount that is being
applied. For those who wish to use an applicator, apply the product
directly to the applicator and blot so that an even amount is applied.
This is another case where more is not better. Applying a wax too
thickly is one of the most common mistakes people make when waxing
their cars or motorcycles. The paint will only absorb so much and
the excess is just removed in the buffing process with no actual
benefit. It's better to apply two thin layers than one thick layer.
Most waxes should be allowed to dry to a slight haze and buffed
with a 100% terry, flannel or microfiber towel. The towel that is
used should be continuously shaken out in an area away from the
bike. The new microfiber towels are a top choice for buffing for
several reasons: 1. Almost totally lint free. 2. They are ten times
softer than silk. 3. Their fiber action, which literally traps dust,
almost eliminates dusting. As with applicators, replace your towel
often during the buffing process. Once you're finished waxing and
buffing, get another fresh towel and completely buff the entire
surface again. To remove wax around ornaments, decals, and other
crevices I use a two-inch paintbrush. I wrap the metal band of the
brush with electrical tape to prevent scratches. A nylon tooth brush
or horsehair brush also works well for those hard to reach areas.
mail@waxstation.com
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