Cut and polish your bike? You're doing it wrong, or at least I have been

[nzspokes]

So now ive got my new bike I decided that I need to start out the right way with it. The bikes in good condition but the paint work was average. Lots of scratches and dull. I thought about cut and polishing it myself. Finding out that a mate is an expert in such things. So today I went to Herman’s workshop in Manukau. First things we did was to take some before pics and remove the seat, old tank pad and a couple of side plastics(more on this later).

[nzspokes]

My next step was to stand around looking stupid, something I do quite well. Herman went to work with the first cut. Now if you can cut and polish your bike in an hour your doing it wrong. The first cut took about 1.5 hours. He took a lot of care of my baby as he is a rider to. After the first cut the bike looked great. Most of the scratches had gone. There was no way a cut would sort the deep ones but I was amazed at how it looked. Next step was a finer cut. At which point Herman asked me if I wanted the screen sorted out as it has a big patch of scratches. I was a little taken aback as I had thought I would put up with it and one day get a new one. Have gave the screen a light cut and bingo, scratches go and the screen looked new!! :eek5:

[nzspokes]

At this time I was sent on a pie run. By the time I got back the final polish of the bike had started. He did a few little touch ups on the paint as he had the right colour in stock.
The result is stunning. Photos cannot do it justice. Most scratches are gone and the bike just gleams. I cant say this strongly enough, its really good.
And on top of that Herman had said he could sort out some faded plastic with a “special” product. Being black plastic they sort of oxidize and look crap. If you silicone them they stay ok for a week then go yuck again. After Herman had a go at one I took a pic of the difference. Again stunning. And he says the product is permanent.
All in all Im amazed what a skilled tradesman can do.
But there are dangers to this. I almost rode into a parked car looking at my bike gleaming in the windows of a shop I was passing.
Herman can do this work on weekends as his shop is to busy during the week, allow about 3 hours and take about $100. This includes his time and products he uses. This is a amazing deal. His number is 02108195332.

[sil3nt]

looks awesome! $100 seems way too cheap for 3 hours work.

[Tigadee]

WOW!! That is a 150% improvement!


But there are dangers to this. I almost rode into a parked car looking at my bike gleaming in the windows of a shop I was passing.

:nya: :lol:

[nzspokes]

looks awesome! $100 seems way too cheap for 3 hours work.

I think it is as well. He is passionate about it. Most would knock it out in an hour. I reckon he should put the price up.

I can see the bike through the window, cant believe It looks that good. i know its not a new/modern bike but I cant afford one. Didnt think a $1400 bike would gleam like mine does. :banana:

[Tigadee]

Didnt think a $1400 bike would gleam like mine does.

Sssssssshh! You could have sold it for $4,000! :brick:

[MikeD400]

. Photos cannot do it justice. Most scratches are gone and the bike just gleams. I cant say this strongly enough, its really good.


Mmmhmmmmm the above statement is too true, the photos only tell half the story Herman is a good friend of mine and I was there cleaning that pos blue thing u see in one of the photos and witnessed this Ninja transformation... epic job. :drinknsin

[funrunna]

that looks great, I will def suggest that to others

[nzspokes]

Just went out and looked at her again. :love:

Had a chuckle when I could see one of the kids looking over the fence behind me in the shine of the tank.

[SMOKEU]

I never cut and polish the fuel tank on my bikes. I don't want the tank to become slippery, because then it makes it harder to carry stuff on the tank, such as my shopping.

[nzspokes]

I never cut and polish the fuel tank on my bikes. I don't want the tank to become slippery, because then it makes it harder to carry stuff on the tank, such as my shopping.

:wacko: Guess all the dents would hold it in place on your bike....:bleh:

Well Ive got a top box so not an issue for me.

[MikeD400]

I never cut and polish the fuel tank on my bikes. I don't want the tank to become slippery, because then it makes it harder to carry stuff on the tank, such as my shopping.

Ah HAH! Found the culprit !!

http://www.calamarichris.com/images/050313angelcurve2opt.jpg

Yeah Id cry to if i droped my lap dog!! :weep:

[Snakeman]

it sure made a huge difference and was excellent value for money for the way it makes you feel :clap:

[Fast Eddie]

I think it is as well. He is passionate about it. Most would knock it out in an hour. I reckon he should put the price up.

I can see the bike through the window, cant believe It looks that good. i know its not a new/modern bike but I cant afford one. Didnt think a $1400 bike would gleam like mine does. :banana:

looks mean man, any product names u can drop for us that like to do it at home. Cut n Polish and waxing takes a very long time to do properly, usually takes me a good 3/4 hours. but I use the standard stuff u buy in the shop like turtle wax or mothers. I found that even after a good polish and wax and its looking great that it only takes a few days or a couple rains/puddles and it starts to dull off again.

You should let us know if its still that shiny in 2/3 weeks time.. even a month..

with photo evidence ;)

looks very good though

[nzspokes]

looks mean man, any product names u can drop for us that like to do it at home. Cut n Polish and waxing takes a very long time to do properly, usually takes me a good 3/4 hours. but I use the standard stuff u buy in the shop like turtle wax or mothers. I found that even after a good polish and wax and its looking great that it only takes a few days or a couple rains/puddles and it starts to dull off again.

You should let us know if its still that shiny in 2/3 weeks time.. even a month..

with photo evidence ;)

looks very good though

The shine is awesome. Im not sure how long it will last but he did give me some care tips like dont wash it for a week or so. It allows the product he used to harden properly. For me the big thing is the removal of scratches. It was covered with them. They will only return if Im a muppet. I dont know what he used but was told its not the cheap stuff. It seems the pads etc you use have a big influence on how it looks.

Will update later on. My bike lives outside so time will tell.

[caspernz]

looks mean man, any product names u can drop for us that like to do it at home. Cut n Polish and waxing takes a very long time to do properly, usually takes me a good 3/4 hours. but I use the standard stuff u buy in the shop like turtle wax or mothers. I found that even after a good polish and wax and its looking great that it only takes a few days or a couple rains/puddles and it starts to dull off again.

You should let us know if its still that shiny in 2/3 weeks time.. even a month..

with photo evidence ;)

looks very good though

That's an awesome shine alright! Would love to hear some product names too. On my black bike I've been using a colour cut wax n shine compound that fills in the small scratches, looks ok, but nothing like that gleam you got on your Kawa!!

[ducatilover]

Moar pics!!!!%@&!!!1!

[normajeane]

"[/QUOTE]
For me the big thing is the removal of scratches. It was covered with them. [/QUOTE]

Does it remove smalldents?::cry:

[nzspokes]

That's an awesome shine alright! Would love to hear some product names too. On my black bike I've been using a colour cut wax n shine compound that fills in the small scratches, looks ok, but nothing like that gleam you got on your Kawa!!

More to it than just the product. And i have no idea what he used, but he did use lots of different ones. I would doubt a single product would get close to this result. I think he used 3 grades of cutting compound and different ones for other areas.

Best way to desribe it is that the paint looks fluid. Almost like its still wet.

[nzspokes]

"
For me the big thing is the removal of scratches. It was covered with them. [/QUOTE]

Does it remove smalldents?::cry:[/QUOTE]

Sadly no, mine has them also.

[FruitLooPs]

It's truely amazing what some corrective products can do, right down to cutting a bad clear coat job with light sanding and polishing back. If you have scratches spiderwebs and buffing swirls in the clear, professional products can really do a good job like on nzspokes bike :D

like Megs 105 ultra cut on a rotary buffer with hard scratched paint, not good for inexperienced hands and i'm not so sure how doing all the curves on a bike would go but an example:

http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/2002_Honda_Accord_sidexside3.jpg

All the DA buffers and whatnot won't give you the results, they're fine for applying various compounds/polishing but if you actually need decent scratch removal etc you have to get something a bit more full on due to their safe action (if you press down hard they just stop vibrating) but a rotary will start eating and heating the paint but if you don't know what you're doing it will burn clean through your clear and/or paint or tear edges instead of removing scratches :weep: . I'm no expert, but I did research before painting my own bike and some people work wonders alright muchos respect. It's bloody complex too with all the tools, compounds pressures taping and attachments

$100 sounds super good :clap:

Clearcoat being smoothed and polished:

From gun, pretty damn shiny but has some minor peel (warped reflections)
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee172/bcc_album/paint/DSCN0062.jpg

clearcoat partly sanded smooth
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee172/bcc_album/paint/DSCN0080.jpg

smooth sanded tank after several different cutting compounds & final polish!
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee172/bcc_album/paint/DSCN0048.jpg

from: http://www.600rr.net/vb/showthread.php?t=105576 crazy thorough post on how to do a mean paintjob/polish. :headbang:

[nzspokes]

not good for inexperienced hands

Which I am.

[FruitLooPs]

Which I am.

As am I, which is why my bikes paintjob has heavy orange peel :killingme

[Tigadee]

Herman can do this work on weekends as his shop is to busy during the week, allow about 3 hours and take about $100. This includes his time and products he uses. This is a amazing deal. His number is 02108195332.

Just got my bike back from Herman and it looks like blawdy new! Absolutely brilliant and according to him, once you've allowed the compound to cure, it's low maintenance [wash once a month or so, or wipe regularly with a soft cloth or feather duster. For mud and stuff, wash first and then wipe with some silicone to maintain that mirror-like sheen]. Enough talk, here are the before after photos:

[Tigadee]

Herman's basically transformed my bike from tidy to drop-dead gorgeous! Best $100 I've ever spent! :woohoo: Last photo:

[nzspokes]

looks mean man, any product names u can drop for us that like to do it at home. Cut n Polish and waxing takes a very long time to do properly, usually takes me a good 3/4 hours. but I use the standard stuff u buy in the shop like turtle wax or mothers. I found that even after a good polish and wax and its looking great that it only takes a few days or a couple rains/puddles and it starts to dull off again.

You should let us know if its still that shiny in 2/3 weeks time.. even a month..

with photo evidence ;)

looks very good though

Shit photo but it still looks great after 3 weeks. I just gave it a wipe over today with a dry rag. Thats all ive done since it was polished.

I cant recommend Hermon enough.

[pritch]

looks mean man, any product names u can drop for us that like to do it at home.


I had an unfortunate incident with a stone and a petrol tank. I took it to a paint shop I have dealings with through my employment. The owner put one of his senior guys on the job. There was clear coat over the colour but the scratch didn't reach through the colour to the metal. The guy used a succession of ever finer wheels on a small power polisher down to a grit size you couldn't even feel. When he had finished and given it a polish you couldn't see where the problem had been.

It is possible to go out and buy a product, but there is no way you could acquire the skill that that tradesman had spent twenty odd years accumulating. Sometimes it just pays to buy the skill by paying someone who has it.

[nzspokes]

I had an unfortunate incident with a stone and a petrol tank. I took it to a paint shop I have dealings with through my employment. The owner put one of his senior guys on the job. There was clear coat over the colour but the scratch didn't reach through the colour to the metal. The guy used a succession of ever finer wheels on a small power polisher down to a grit size you couldn't even feel. When he had finished and given it a polish you couldn't see where the problem had been.

It is possible to go out and buy a product, but there is no way you could acquire the skill that that tradesman had spent twenty odd years accumulating. Sometimes it just pays to buy the skill by paying someone who has it.

I cant wash my bike without scratching it. Using power tools on my paint is so far out of my skill level I would think about it.

But its nice to see a craftsman at there work.

[davebullet]

Herman's basically transformed my bike from tidy to drop-dead gorgeous! Best $100 I've ever spent! Last photo::woohoo:

Damn it - my retinas have been burnt, I'm suing!!!!

[actungbaby]

got to say am really fussy i like my bikes to look great and do my own cleaning . but thats fantastic

Am cleaner by trade (not bikes) but all the right cleaning products and eblow grease and right steps

Tell herman hes great if was down here i get to work on my bike that be privlge to have work his magic

should imagine add more than 100.00 to value of anybike



At this time I was sent on a pie run. By the time I got back the final polish of the bike had started. He did a few little touch ups on the paint as he had the right colour in stock.
The result is stunning. Photos cannot do it justice. Most scratches are gone and the bike just gleams. I cant say this strongly enough, its really good.
And on top of that Herman had said he could sort out some faded plastic with a “special” product. Being black plastic they sort of oxidize and look crap. If you silicone them they stay ok for a week then go yuck again. After Herman had a go at one I took a pic of the difference. Again stunning. And he says the product is permanent.
All in all Im amazed what a skilled tradesman can do.
But there are dangers to this. I almost rode into a parked car looking at my bike gleaming in the windows of a shop I was passing.
Herman can do this work on weekends as his shop is to busy during the week, allow about 3 hours and take about $100. This includes his time and products he uses. This is a amazing deal. His number is 02108195332.

[scumdog]

How many fussy riders out there that spend time sprucing up their rides, improving them and making them look gooood?

As opposed to ride 'em an' leave 'em types??:confused:

[gatch]

How many fussy riders out there that spend time sprucing up their rides, improving them and making them look gooood?

As opposed to ride 'em an' leave 'em types??:confused:

Ride em and leave em..

Bikes, right ?

[Tigadee]

How many fussy riders out there that spend time sprucing up their rides, improving them and making them look gooood?
As opposed to ride 'em an' leave 'em types??

Once a fortnight wash and polish... Being a regular rider doesn't exclude being a smart owner. The better maintained [clean] the bike is, the easier to spot early signs of any potential problems (oil leak, for one).

Also means re-sale value is better too, the better to buy a newer/bigger bike, y'see... :blip:

[idb]

How many fussy riders out there that spend time sprucing up their rides, improving them and making them look gooood?

As opposed to ride 'em an' leave 'em types??:confused:

Yep...ride 'em hard and put 'em away wet...!

[GSF]

Holy shit, that looks awesome. I might get this Herman fella to have a crack at the Bandit once I've got a full in 6 months, it'll be easier to sell the 250 if the tank and plastics are gleaming like that.

[scumdog]

Yep...ride 'em hard and put 'em away wet...!

Jumpin' jillickers Batman, are you back?:eek5:

[willytheekid]

How many fussy riders out there that spend time sprucing up their rides, improving them and making them look gooood?

As opposed to ride 'em an' leave 'em types??:confused:

Riding leads to cleaning, cleaning leads to maintenance, maintenance leads to MORE riding! ;)
http://images.cheezburger.com/completestore/2011/11/15/f885caf3-4948-408a-9427-fac3249423d7.jpg

Have a happy Easter Scummy :D

[DODO``]

Ah HAH! Found the culprit !!

http://www.calamarichris.com/images/050313angelcurve2opt.jpg

Yeah Id cry to if i droped my lap dog!! :weep:

This dog is hanging on to its dear life hah