Unofficial Royal Enfield Community Forum

Royal Enfield Motorcycles => Bullet with the UCE engine => Topic started by: BRADEY on July 26, 2013, 06:20:19 pm

Title: Detailing your Royal Enfield
Post by: BRADEY on July 26, 2013, 06:20:19 pm
I think there are many threads on the technical aspects of the RE but nothing on the physical maintenance and detailing of the motorcycle.
I would welcome all forum members to share their views, secrets, products and tools used in keeping their REs gleaming and shining. Cheers !
Title: Re: Detailing your Royal Enfield
Post by: Desi Bike on July 26, 2013, 07:21:20 pm
I made a thread last year on how impressed I was with BlueJob at keeping the chrome spotless.
 http://www.blue-job.com/

Found the tread...
   http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/forum/index.php/topic,12227.0.html  (http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/forum/index.php/topic,12227.0.html)
Title: Re: Detailing your Royal Enfield
Post by: barenekd on July 26, 2013, 08:09:49 pm
To keep it corrosion free, spray it with ACF50. As for looks just keep it clean and waxed. Beware of spray waxes, they can get into places that you can see, but not that you can reach. Then you have white overspray that is a royal pain to get off!  Just get one to apply by hand, then it only goes to places you can reach.
Bare
Title: Re: Detailing your Royal Enfield
Post by: High On Octane on July 27, 2013, 12:37:30 am
In between washes I use Meguiars Quick Detailer spray to clean painted surfaces and NevrDull on all my chrome and polished metal.  After every wash I use Meguiars Ultimate Liquid Synthetic Wax.  Stock up on microfiber towels, they're a detailers best friend.  Wash the towels with colors and air dry, DON'T PUT THEM IN THE DRYER!  You will surely regret it.  Also, if you drop a towel on the ground while detailing set it aside and grab a fresh one. Otherwise you'll likely scratch your paint.

Scottie
Title: Re: Detailing your Royal Enfield
Post by: Craig McClure on July 27, 2013, 03:00:35 am
NUMBER ONE RULE:  KEEP IT INDOORS WHEN NOT IN USE. This will nearly eliminate UV aging & rust.
I keep wax on my chrome & paint. I use DUPONT SPRAY "DRY CHAIN WAX" it prevents oil sling mess. Mines oil tight, so not much else to do. I like MOTHERS ALLOY POLISH on aluminum side cases & fork legs.
Title: Re: Detailing your Royal Enfield
Post by: gremlin on July 27, 2013, 06:29:39 am
NUMBER ONE RULE:  KEEP IT INDOORS WHEN NOT IN USE. .......

I used to, but, SWMBO said the couch was needed more than the bike ......  So, in came the couch - and - the bike sits outside in the rain .... :( :( :(
Title: Re: Detailing your Royal Enfield
Post by: D the D on July 27, 2013, 07:26:03 am
Detailing?  :o  That's a waste of good riding time.  :P
Title: Re: Detailing your Royal Enfield
Post by: barenekd on July 27, 2013, 06:53:31 pm
Sitting in the rain makes ACF50 even more of a necessity!
That's as bad as leaving your dog out in the rain
Bare
Title: Re: Detailing your Royal Enfield
Post by: Arizoni on July 27, 2013, 07:50:38 pm
gremlin
If you have room for it and you don't already have one, I suggest that you spend $60-$90 and buy your bike one of those outdoor pop up dining canopy's.  The kind with the steel framework and cloth top.

Shortly after I got my G5, not having a garage to store it in I bought a 10 foot X 10 foot canopy and it's sit out there in the Arizona sun for over 2 years without any damage.

Although the sides are open it does a nice job of protecting the bike from rain, sun and dew.
Title: Re: Detailing your Royal Enfield
Post by: Craig McClure on July 28, 2013, 06:36:42 pm
Hey!  It's "MADE LIKE A GUN" Only simple Muzzle or breach loading cannons, to big to be indoors stay outside. If you want a gun to work, you must store it properly. I keep mine inside.
Title: Re: Detailing your Royal Enfield
Post by: BRADEY on July 29, 2013, 04:21:11 pm
For engine fins and similar hard to reach areas, I use a kettle snout brush. These are thin and have enough bristles to clean the fins spic and span. Similarly for wheels, bottle cleaning brush is my best bet.
Title: Re: Detailing your Royal Enfield
Post by: Ducati Scotty on July 29, 2013, 06:28:31 pm
The engine side cases and wheel hubs are polished raw aluminum.  Since they are not clear coated they will deterioate over time.  If they get badly pitted it's tough or impossible to bring them back.  Polish them once in a while with any metal polish, by hand or with a polishing wheel.  Help keep them shiny with a coat of wax, a wipe down with kerosene/diesel, or a spray of ACF 50.  Make sure you don't get any of that stuff on the brakes ;)

Scott