08 Dec Ceramic Coating Motorcycles and Quoting Tips

Tips on Ceramic Coating a Motorcycle

DuraSlic’s mantra of vehicle protection is not limited to just cars. DS products are engineered to cover any vehicle of any category: trucks, boats, RV’s, and of course, motorcycles. If it’s got wheels, then we think it should be coated! However, this is easier said than done and comes with questions: how should I quote a motorcycle coating job? What changes do I need to make to my detailing process? We’ve got answers for you right here so you can expand your detailing skills to ceramic coating motorcycles.

There are plenty of common misconceptions about ceramic coating motorcycle paint. First and foremost, it is NOT a car. Obvious? You’d think so, but it’s important to make that clear. Bikes have lots of moving parts and attachments that need extra attention to detail. Bike panels are typically rounder than car panels, meaning there needs to be extra time taken to get every scratch out of the paint. These round components are prone to hiding marks in addition to being difficult to reach with your tools. Seats and saddlebags need to be taken off and cleaned all the way around. This extra carefulness takes time, so be sure to take that into consideration when quoting with your customer. As our trainer and master distributor Ryan Kirkpatrick always says: professionals in this line of work charge by the hour!

DuraSlic is a big advocate of using the test spot to show your customer firsthand what it will take to get their vehicle looking proper. We think that it’s important to be able to visually explain the paint correction and coating process to those who aren’t in this line of work. Now, we’re taking it one step further with our latest recommendation: the paint thickness gauge. This helpful little device links to your smartphone and can show how deep a paint coating goes, damage-free! A paint thickness gauge will help elevate your business and its another great way to show a customer firsthand about your process. It’s also important to use on a motorcycle because of all the rounded compartments and different panels.

Surface areas on panels will be smaller, leaving you less room to work with. That means you’ll have to be extra careful during polish and paint correction. Instead of using a 5-inch sanding pad, try using a 3-inch pad on all of the curved, intricate surfaces. As stated before, be sure to detach side compartments and detail every side of them, including the interior. In this sense, coating a motorcycle is like coating a car in the terms that you just can’t leave any stone unturned. Bikers take their bikes very seriously, so be sure to get every detail (pun intended) right! Also be sure to care for the leather elements with premium hydrophobic leather coating!

Now that you have the inside scoop on motorcycle detailing, market yourself! Make it known to your community and your customer base that you’re more versatile than ever. There’s no limit when you’re in the DuraSlic detailer network. We want to you be the best version of yourself! If you need more guidance, sign up for detailer training here!