How to Detail Your Bike Like a Pro (Mar 2026)

Never, ever wash a hot bike. I made this mistake once on my old Suzuki, sprayed cold water on a hot casing and heard a 'tink' that I'll never forget. Luckily nothing cracked, but the spotting it leaves is a nightmare to polish out. Let the engine be cool to the touch.

Stick an exhaust bung in or chuck a plastic bag over the end of the pipe with a rubber band. You don't want water sitting in your silencer.

If you've got an exposed air filter or a fancy aftermarket dash, wrap it in some cling film or a plastic bag. Better safe than sorry.

Start with the dirty stuff. Spray your chain cleaner and let it dwell for 5 minutes. Use a chain brush to get the gunk off. I also hit the swingarm and bottom of the engine with a mild degreaser to shift the road grime and leaked oil.

Wheels take the most abuse. Use a dedicated wheel cleaner (acid-free!) and a brush to get into the spokes and around the calipers. Rinse thoroughly. If you've got white wheels, God bless you, you'll be here a while.

If you have a foam cannon, give the bike a light coat. It'll help loosen up those baked-on Aussie bugs. Let it dwell but don't let it dry in the sun.

Start from the top and work your way down. Use light pressure. For the engine fins, use a soft detailing brush dipped in soapy water to get into those tight gaps. This is where the red dust likes to hide.

Use a low-pressure hose. Avoid pointing it directly at the wheel bearings, dash, or under the seat where the battery lives. No dramas, just take your time.

This is the most important step. Don't let it air dry or you'll get water spots that won't budge. Use a leaf blower to blast water out of every bolt hole, the radiator, and the handlebar switches. Finish with a clean microfibre towel.

If the tank feels rough, use a clay bar or a clay mitt. It'll pull out the iron filings and fallout that settle on the paint. (Your missus might wonder why you're rubbing a piece of blue putty on your bike, just ignore her).

If you have chrome, use a dedicated metal polish like Autosol. For painted tanks and fenders, a light finishing polish will bring back the depth of colour.

Apply your sealant or wax. Given our UV levels, I reckon a ceramic-based sealant is the way to go. It lasts longer against the sun than a traditional carnauba wax.

Now that it's clean and dry, apply your chain lube. Do it now so it has time to 'set' before your next ride, otherwise it'll just flick all over your freshly cleaned wheel.