Can you shine?

OK... I cannot get my newer bikes to shine like I could on my older bikes... is it because they are mostly plastic now?

How do you get the deep, rich shine? Is it possible?

I used to be able to have the most shiny bike around, but all my old tricks don't seem to work on the newer bikes.

This was my Honda Valkyrie that I sold about 2 years ago.

There is now way I can get any of my current bikes to shine like this. Why?????



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i'd say being mostly plastic has something to do with it. that and also our bikes don't have as much chrome (which really SHINES) as cruisers bikes.

I think he's talking about the paint... looks like different types of pants. Look at some of my pics, you can see the reflection of the driveway in the lower fairing and tail and also trees on the tank. I'm guess that since our paint is over plastic, they use a different finishing process that doesn't cause a mirror like shine that you are use to.

Looks to me like doncollins bike has a pretty nice shine to it. If you have ever noticed 6hundred_doubleR's bike; his damn near glows in the dark!

I need to get some Honda polish.

Don, what do you use to make your bike shine... I already use the Honda Polish - I buy it by the case. Do you do anything else?

I have tried all the good waxes I had before, but they don't really seem to do the trick. What's your secret?

I've tried Dupont's Teflon Spray wax and it works great. A lot more effort... but I get better results with Honda Polish.

I only use Honda Polish.

That and my bike has never seen rain.

Both of those bikes are awesome... I guess I just need to start off my new bike right and just use the Honda polish. Maybe I was trying too many different things instead of keeping it simple.

You guys give me something to shoot for.

NICE BIKES!!!!!!!! has any one try'd that cyrstal glow stuff!!!!!! great write ups. My paint buddys say it all about getting the base rubbed out properly, to start w/.
That would be my experiance w/ buffing of metals. I geeked, when i learned about working up to 2000 grt wet and dry, on alum, before the buffing begines!!!!!!!!!!! who says obbsesion, is unrewarded????? I bought a 860 gts duc, mint, clean enough to lick!!!!!!!!! In my front room, it went !!!!!!(yes, Im divorced!!!!) 2, (half into my 3rd) packs of 320 Q-tips, both ends too, the engine was... closer to done!!!!!!!!!!!! You couldn't see any dirt, to start w/. Sick and twisted!!!!!!!! for those that share the "need", I understand... It's just good clean fun!!!!!!!! may i recomend the meetings in the back, at bubba's stake house, 7:00 pm!!!!! Clean and free, only smoke'n harleys !!!!!!!!!! Ripp'n P.S. sometime i'll tell you about buff'n out, used 5 ft stainless headers, off a circle track car, 6 hours each, ouch!!!!!!!!!!!!

The shine is a function of the number of coats of clear coat. Plastic pieces aren't going to get as many coats as metal.

Check out the shine on this bad boy..... By the way, I frequently use Honda polish to touch it up......

WOW!

quote:

ORIGINAL: kiggy74

The shine is a function of the number of coats of clear coat. Plastic pieces aren't going to get as many coats as metal.

Check out the shine on this bad boy..... By the way, I frequently use Honda polish to touch it up......

quote:

ORIGINAL: OldFatGuy

WOW!

quote:

ORIGINAL: kiggy74

The shine is a function of the number of coats of clear coat. Plastic pieces aren't going to get as many coats as metal.

Check out the shine on this bad boy..... By the way, I frequently use Honda polish to touch it up......

+1 on that. Damn nice car and shine. I would definitly agree on the fact that our paint jobs are paint on plastic and they probably don't put as much clear on our bikes as they would as this bad ass BMW.

Thanks. I have strict set of rules when it comes to washing the car:

1. I only use the lambskin mits to clean it, nothing else touches the car.
2. If I accidentally drop the mit on the ground it either gets tossed or demoted to wheel duty.
3. No soft car washes..... EVER!!!!
4. Wax it 3-4 times a year with Zymol. It's great stuff. Touch ups with Honda polish.
5. Lastly, this car is garage kept. It's only seen the snow a handful of times. Not real practical, but damn clean.

This is a 2004 330ci with the performance package. The performance package is a rare find, almost like a limited edition. It includes all the ground effects, matching trim around the windows (as opposed to chrome), M-series wheels, M-Series suspension setup, performance tuned engine. Best of all is the interior: The seats are suede. The steering wheel is wrapped in suede, as are the boots for the short-throw 6-speed shifter and the parking break. I absolutely love my car. I've yet to see an M3 that looks as good. I only have about 235 BHP (as compared to the 333 of the M3), but I haven't seen an M3 that looks this good. Not to mention it's about $20K less than an M3.

quote:

ORIGINAL: kiggy74

AHHHHH! FOUR WHEELS! MAKE IT GO AWAY!



just kidding man. that is one sweet looking car.