Many people do not realize a wax is not a polish and a polish is not a wax. Detailing pros will slap you silly for not knowing the difference! Your motorcycle will also spit you off faster than Rosey O'Donnell inhaling her way through a ten dollar all you can eat buffet! Below are the definitions and uses of each specific product for your motorcycle.

Polishes.

Polishes are meant to remove the crud, contaminates and oxidation, bring back the original beauty to paint and metal parts on your motorcycle, cover any swirls scratches in the paint and prep the paint and chrome for wax. A polish liquid or compound does this because it contains abrasives and thus cleans the motorcycle paint or chrome by friction.The three most common types of friction polishes are a hand glaze witch is what you normally start with. The hand glaze is the least aggressive of the three types, meaning it removes the least paint, scratches, etc. If your motorcycle paint is old or heavily scratched use the second or third type of polish. These are rubbing compounds and a clay compound and be forewarned these will remove alot of paint if you are not careful. After using a rubbing compound you then switch to the glaze for the final polish. Remember the polishes are for certain parts on the motorcycle. A paint polish is not to be used on the chrome and a chrome or metal polish is not to used on the paint or plastics. For the painted surfaces on your motorcycle and even your helmet use a good polish like 3M's Imperial Hand Glaze and Meguiar's Mirror Glaze #10 Clear PLastic Polish for windscreens and the face shield on your motorcycle helmet.

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WAXES.

After the rubbing out or polishing step your ready to wax the motorcycle.Most waxes are made of organic or polymer-based materials. Which you decide to use is more of a preference thing than one being better than the other. Most professional detailers will shout at their shoes if they are ask to use the polymer-based wax as they feel the natural organic waxes are best, and i tend to agree with them. Organic waxes for use on motorcycle or auto applications are made of from tropical plants such as Carnauba or from bee's wax. One of the easiest and best to use is an organic wax containing bee's wax. It comes in a paste or liquid form and very easy to put on and remove as well as giving the painted surfaces a superior protective finish. A few of the more recognized and popular brands are Turtle Wax, Meguiars, Rain Dance and Eagle One. Also available is combination cleaner/waxes that you really should not use if you want your motorcycle to look it's best for years to come. Always use the polish first and then wax the motorcycle immediately to put the protective layer back on the paint. How often you go through the polish wax procedure is up to you but three to five times a year is common.
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