4 minutes ago, fabiamk2SE said:

 

I agree mate. 

 

Maybe a proper coating of ACF50 on the things you cant get to is the ideal... then FS365 on the things you regularly clean. Atleast then the hard to reach parts are sorted and it doesnt matter what they look like anyway. 

 

Somewhere in the middle.. 

 

Great compromise! 

1 minute ago, Chubbs said:

 

Ill certainly look into FS365 too, it'll provide more customer options, thanks!

It's horses for courses really. If you're using a compressor to apply the ACF50 do it outside as it filled my garage with a fog when I did mine! As a professional option you'd probably get more customers for ACF50 than FS365 as they don't want to buy a compressor to apply it, while FS365 comes in a ready to use spray bottle (and is a lot cheaper). One downside is the bike has to be spotless otherwise the ACF50 just seals any crud in allowing it to fester underneath. it's good on bikes with a fairing where the acf50 is out of sight but my GS is like a oil drilling platform on wheels so attracts the crud like a magnet.

5 minutes ago, Chubbs said:

 

Great compromise! 

don't encourage him

yeah you can get to everything on the GS cos half the engine hangs out the sides  

FS365 being water soluble is never going to be up to the job that ACF50 takes in its stride!

Totally agree with the ACF50 comments but it's no worse than FS365 for dirt sticking to it. In both cases a quick hose down will remove most of the dirt. The main problem with ACF50 is that it needs such a thin coating otherwise your left with excess that never dries, attracts and holds more dirt. FS365 is so thin, being water based,  in comparison that it's hard to over apply. 

There is another player on the block too, XCP Rust Blocker. I've never used it or know any one who has but it gets some good reviews and the tests they do against other protective sprays is quite impressive. 

 

David, if ceramic coatings crack if flexed you may problems with the plastic panels on bike as the fairings and tank covers will flex whilst riding.

If fast forward to around 3.20 you start to see fairing flexing, around the screen there will be even more. 

 

Solid items such as wheels it sounds good. Having wire spoke wheels myself I would love an easier way to keep them clean. Swingarms, forks would benefit too but I think the rest would benefit from a more flexible protection. 

 

This is basically how I do mine but I don't have the wand. I did a have an air brush which worked well until I stood on it. The main point is getting it on in a fine spray which is hard to from a rattle can. 

 

Edit. I don't ride a Harley but must admit I did consider a Truimph Thunderbird once in a brief moment of chrome madness 

Edited 15 February, 20179 yr by CWARD

10 hours ago, CWARD said:

Totally agree with the ACF50 comments but it's no worse than FS365 for dirt sticking to it. In both cases a quick hose down will remove most of the dirt. The main problem with ACF50 is that it needs such a thin coating otherwise your left with excess that never dries, attracts and holds more dirt. FS365 is so thin, being water based,  in comparison that it's hard to over apply. 

There is another player on the block too, XCP Rust Blocker. I've never used it or know any one who has but it gets some good reviews and the tests they do against other protective sprays is quite impressive. 

 

David, if ceramic coatings crack if flexed you may problems with the plastic panels on bike as the fairings and tank covers will flex whilst riding.

If fast forward to around 3.20 you start to see fairing flexing, around the screen there will be even more. 

 

Solid items such as wheels it sounds good. Having wire spoke wheels myself I would love an easier way to keep them clean. Swingarms, forks would benefit too but I think the rest would benefit from a more flexible protection. 

 

 

Thanks for this. I know what you mean re the flexing....this is something I'll be doing some homework on for clarification. I'll keep you posted. But yeah, wheels, forks, lights n other 'fixed' parts no problem at all.

10 hours ago, CWARD said:

This is basically how I do mine but I don't have the wand. I did a have an air brush which worked well until I stood on it. The main point is getting it on in a fine spray which is hard to from a rattle can. 

 

Edit. I don't ride a Harley but must admit I did consider a Truimph Thunderbird once in a brief moment of chrome madness 

 

Thanks for the video, great find! Mate had a Harley so may discuss this with him too!

11 hours ago, Chubbs said:

 

Thanks for the video, great find! Mate had a Harley so may discuss this with him too!

 

a harley is the ultimate test. 

 

If its not turned into dust by the end of a damp road... the ACF50 must be good ;). 

On 16/02/2017 at 20:47, fabiamk2SE said:

 

a harley is the ultimate test. 

 

If its not turned into dust by the end of a damp road... the ACF50 must be good ;). 

 

I'm looking to prep my mates Harley over the next fortnight when he can spare the time to get it to me!

 

I intend to do a little product testing at the same time.

 

I've also been looking into Bilt Hamber Dynax UC. On the face of it, a product applied to surfaces to act exactly as ACF50 and it cures as a clear wax layer.

 

Anyone used this, be it for cars or motorcycles? I'd be interested to hear your thoughts as a stand alone product or, even better, when compared with ACF50.

 

Thanks

How does handle direct heat if applied to an engine? Harley's do run hotter than most bikes so I'd find out first before applying. 

9 minutes ago, CWARD said:

How does handle direct heat if applied to an engine? Harley's do run hotter than most bikes so I'd find out first before applying. 

 

Good point, I'm in the process of research so as to prevent any issues.

 

Might be worth trying on your engine in a innocuous area but might difficult to find parts that are comparable such as exhaust headers and cylinder heads

On ‎2‎/‎23‎/‎2017 at 20:14, CWARD said:

Might be worth trying on your engine in a innocuous area but might difficult to find parts that are comparable such as exhaust headers and cylinder heads

My understanding is, on first start up post application, there's a degree of 'burn-off' but product remains to offer protection.  I could always apply other heat resistant products but the cost of the products per se and the extra time to apply would have an implication on cost. 

On ‎2‎/‎15‎/‎2017 at 22:10, CWARD said:

Totally agree with the ACF50 comments but it's no worse than FS365 for dirt sticking to it. In both cases a quick hose down will remove most of the dirt. The main problem with ACF50 is that it needs such a thin coating otherwise your left with excess that never dries, attracts and holds more dirt. FS365 is so thin, being water based,  in comparison that it's hard to over apply. 

There is another player on the block too, XCP Rust Blocker. I've never used it or know any one who has but it gets some good reviews and the tests they do against other protective sprays is quite impressive. 

 

David, if ceramic coatings crack if flexed you may problems with the plastic panels on bike as the fairings and tank covers will flex whilst riding.

If fast forward to around 3.20 you start to see fairing flexing, around the screen there will be even more. 

 

Solid items such as wheels it sounds good. Having wire spoke wheels myself I would love an easier way to keep them clean. Swingarms, forks would benefit too but I think the rest would benefit from a more flexible protection. 

 

I don't think any flexing is going to be a major issue with the ceramic coatings but I'm hoping to have a definitive answer to my test bike soon!

Watching this with great interest as I do have a Harley

20 minutes ago, Prykey said:

Watching this with great interest as I do have a Harley

You lucky man, beauty machines! Any pics? 

4 hours ago, Chubbs said:

You lucky man, beauty machines! Any pics? 

 

Yes of course

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 26 February, 20179 yr by Prykey
Update

10 minutes ago, Prykey said:

 

Yes of course

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That's one mean machine! Does it come with the matte finish? 

 

With something like that I'd love to detail it, then protect with a ceramic coating, with sparing use of ACF50 for the hard to reach areas. Voilà!

8 minutes ago, Chubbs said:

That's one mean machine! Does it come with the matte finish? 

 

With something like that I'd love to detail it, then protect with a ceramic coating, with sparing use of ACF50 for the hard to reach areas. Voilà!

 

Yes, the finish is called Black Denim" and you have to be very careful how you clean it otherwise you can ruin the finish and even when you use the correct cleaning agents you have to be very careful that you don't "polish" it by rubbing too much. Of course H-D sell their own branded products to use and basically you invalidate the warranty if you don't use the correct stuff.

 

Before H-D had their own product they recommended the use of a glass cleaning product such as Windex to clean the finish. ACF50 is meant to be very good and a bike detailing service near me charges £90 to wash your bike and give it a full treating of ACF50.

 

If you are thinking of expanding and offering a detailing service for motorcycles (especially Harley's) you would do well to invest in an Air Dryer, I use an Airforce Blaster Sidekick which is the smallest of their offerings, it cost me £75 from CYC , the plus side is that they are also great to use on cars grilles, gaps between panels, mirrors and around trims so you'd get a good return on your investment

 

You'll be surprised how long it will take you to clean a motorcycle as they have more intricate and exposed areas to deal with than the flat panels of a car! 

54 minutes ago, Prykey said:

 

Yes, the finish is called Black Denim" and you have to be very careful how you clean it otherwise you can ruin the finish and even when you use the correct cleaning agents you have to be very careful that you don't "polish" it by rubbing too much. Of course H-D sell their own branded products to use and basically you invalidate the warranty if you don't use the correct stuff.

 

Before H-D had their own product they recommended the use of a glass cleaning product such as Windex to clean the finish. ACF50 is meant to be very good and a bike detailing service near me charges £90 to wash your bike and give it a full treating of ACF50.

 

If you are thinking of expanding and offering a detailing service for motorcycles (especially Harley's) you would do well to invest in an Air Dryer, I use an Airforce Blaster Sidekick which is the smallest of their offerings, it cost me £75 from CYC , the plus side is that they are also great to use on cars grilles, gaps between panels, mirrors and around trims so you'd get a good return on your investment

 

You'll be surprised how long it will take you to clean a motorcycle as they have more intricate and exposed areas to deal with than the flat panels of a car! 

 

Thats great info re the HD, thanks! £90 for a wash n ACF50 application sounds about right.

 

I'll definitely be expanding into bike detailing, I love bikes too, so that helps! My mates HD will receive the works......a machine polish, ACF50 & ceramic coating.

 

Ive got a blower for drying the cars so I'm good there but good shout! I'm also investing in a compressor for the ACF application so this could double up too.

 

 

4 minutes ago, Chubbs said:

 

Thats great info re the HD, thanks! £90 for a wash n ACF50 application sounds about right.

 

I'll definitely be expanding into bike detailing, I love bikes too, so that helps! My mates HD will receive the works......a machine polish, ACF50 & ceramic coating.

 

Ive got a blower for drying the cars so I'm good there but good shout! I'm also investing in a compressor for the ACF application so this could double up too.

 

 

Also you'll find a seat with wheels on very useful as you'll be working at a low level for a prolonged period of time. 

41 minutes ago, Chubbs said:

 

Thats great info re the HD, thanks! £90 for a wash n ACF50 application sounds about right.

 

I'll definitely be expanding into bike detailing, I love bikes too, so that helps! My mates HD will receive the works......a machine polish, ACF50 & ceramic coating.

 

Ive got a blower for drying the cars so I'm good there but good shout! I'm also investing in a compressor for the ACF application so this could double up too.

 

 

As far as the compressor is concerned I got this one from Machine Mart when they were doing a VAT free offer,

 

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke-tiger-11250-2-5hp-24-litre-air-compres/

 

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/kit-1000-5-piece-air-tool-kit/

 

You'll need a 1.5mm nozel on your spraygun for the ACF50 and 9.5cfm to power a decent spraygun. I also got the quick release connectors for the hoses too. Aldi and Lidl also sell them from time to time, but I don't know what spec they are.

2 hours ago, Prykey said:

 

Yes, the finish is called Black Denim" and you have to be very careful how you clean it otherwise you can ruin the finish and even when you use the correct cleaning agents you have to be very careful that you don't "polish" it by rubbing too much. Of course H-D sell their own branded products to use and basically you invalidate the warranty if you don't use the correct stuff.

 

Before H-D had their own product they recommended the use of a glass cleaning product such as Windex to clean the finish. ACF50 is meant to be very good and a bike detailing service near me charges £90 to wash your bike and give it a full treating of ACF50.

 

If you are thinking of expanding and offering a detailing service for motorcycles (especially Harley's) you would do well to invest in an Air Dryer, I use an Airforce Blaster Sidekick which is the smallest of their offerings, it cost me £75 from CYC , the plus side is that they are also great to use on cars grilles, gaps between panels, mirrors and around trims so you'd get a good return on your investment

 

You'll be surprised how long it will take you to clean a motorcycle as they have more intricate and exposed areas to deal with than the flat panels of a car! 

 

Thats great info re the HD, thanks! £90 for a wash n ACF50 application sounds about right.

 

I'll definitely be expanding into bike detailing, I love bikes too, so that helps! My mates HD will receive the works......a machine polish, ACF50 & ceramic coating.

 

Ive got a blower for drying the cars so I'm good there but good shout! I'm also investing in a compressor for the ACF application so this could double up too.

 

1 hour ago, Prykey said:

Also you'll find a seat with wheels on very useful as you'll be working at a low level for a prolonged period of time. 

 

Another great shout!! Funny you mentioned these....just been looking to get one for car detailing too!