Take care of your ride, and it'll take care of you!
As y'all know, I ride my Ducati Hypermotard quite a lot.
Personally, it's a great bike to me as it fulfils most of my needs as a biker. From commuting around our island, to occasional touring trips to Malaysia or Thailand, and even a bit of track at Johor Circuit on quiet weekdays.
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| Credits to 123rf |
Some days, when I get home from a whole day's work, all I wanna do is just slouch on the couch like a potato. Don't talk about washing the dishes, cleaning my bike doesn't even come close.
Other days, I get home from a fun ride at the tracks and I've got work to catch up with, or Suits (my favourite TV series) to catch up on, or.. slouch on the couch like a potato again..
Well, there are times (once in a while) where I like to spend quiet evenings, play some music and take my time to give my bike a good basic wash. It's actually quite therapeutic.
But honestly, with a busy work schedule and so much riding around, it can be difficult to find time to get my red baby showered. Not just that, but even if I do, it's only the basics.
How about protecting it's paintwork? Getting rid of stubborn stains? Getting the surface to shine?
And making the results last?
Here's where the detailing specialist, 2 Wash & Detailing, steps in to the rescue!
About : 2 Wash & Detailing
What I like about 2 Wash is, detailing is not just a job to them, but their team is actually devoted to the art of vehicle detailing. They proudly provide vehicles they touch with utmost care using premium products applied through quality skilled workmanship.
The truth is, there are quite a number of detailing companies around. But it was when I saw how 2 Wash & Detailing literally transformed am extremely dull looking 11 year old black Suzuki GSX into a shining black rock (click here to see), I knew I had to try them out.
Made an advanced appointment with them, and when they turned up at my place with all their equipment, I knew my Ducati's gonna experience some Cinderella-magic.
So here goes the 8 HOUR JOB guys!
Preparation Phase
They got my bike to a well litted area but under a shade, so to avoid any direct sunlight which is what damages the paintwork overtime.
They waited for my bike's engine to cool down (as I had just returned from a ride), they laid out a whole row of towels; every towel have their own specific use (drying/buffing/glass cleaning/dirty towels/etc) and also to ensure no cross contamination occurs.
Washing phase
First, they pre-washed my bike using a high-powered pressure washer to loosen dirt or grimes before touching the bike with wash mitts/soap etc.
Snow Wash
Next, my bike gets to play in snow!
It's sprayed over with a high density foam where they let it sit for a while before using a wash mitt / clay towel to cleanse my bike.
Chain Cleaning
Using S100 Chain Cleaner, they sprayed it onto my chain and let it sit for about 10 minutes.
Rims Cleaning
Using Liqui Moly's Rim Cleaner on the wheels and let it sit for approx. 7 minutes (so precise).
De-Greasing On The Engine
Using a biodegradable engine specific degreaser for my bike's engine area to effectively remove those stubborn gooey sticky black shit.
Just like how we towel dry our hair after a shower, they pat my bike dry with a high quality towel by Cobra.
Followed by using a blower to minimize any risk of leftover dirt that may accidentally scratch my bike's surface. This is applied to the wheels, engine, chain and every other part. No area is missed out.
Paint polishing preparation phase
Claying the painted parts once more just in case the clay towel was not enough, which also prevents scratching from embedded dirt.
Taping the edges around headlights before polishing to prevent scratches, chipping of paint of edges etc.
Polishing Phase
Ooh so this is how my baby is about to shine bright like a diamond!
Step 1 – Compound
Step 2 – Remove imperfections
Step 3 – Finishing Glaze
2 Wash & Detailing always use a buffing towel to buff off excess and inspect the paint after each step to check for any missed spots.
I can see my red darling starting to glow..
Protection Phase
After so much effort in polishing up this beauty, of course we have to protect its shine!
Applying Chemical Guys & Wolfgang Paint Sealant on in straight lines and overlap the applied areas to minimize any swirl formation.
Left it on for 30 minutes of curing time so the sealant and the paint bonds, before buffing it off. No exposure to moisture is allowed for at least 12 hours to let the sealant fully bond with the paint.
The tricky part is different coatings have different elements.
Some requires 1 - 3 minutes of curing time, whereas others are allowed to wipe off immediately. So it was really important that 2 Wash & Detailing knows each of their products and application mode well.
They evened out the coating on the surfaces before wiping off because if the area is not cleaned properly, it would require re-compounding again.
Now check out the Before & After Pictures
2 Wash & Detailing Tips / Advices
" We highly recommend regular proper washing of bikes with the right products and methods. This will delay and minimize the deterioration of paintwork and parts, thus saving money on restorations/ change of parts. "
2 Wash & Detailing FREE Consultation
Having a passion for vehicle detailing, they're more than happy to offer a non-obligatory free assessment of your paintwork/metal/other parts and will advise what's required according to their experience and expertise.
Even without seeing any before and after pictures, I was already so impressed by how meticulous 2 Wash & Detailing were with every detailing step.
With such a thorough cleanse and applying the glass coating (I'M IN LOVE WITH THE GLASS COAT SERIOUSLY) so well, the results are ASTOUNDING. My darling Ducati is SHINING EVEN AT NIGHT.
Wow.
Look at all the lines! And my bike's red color paintwork is restored, it looks so fresh now.
Thank you so much 2 Wash & Detailing for such an awesome work done on my Ducati Hypermotard!
2 Wash & Detailing
Address: 253A Choa Chu Kang Ave 1 MSCP
Tel: 9106 9560
2 Wash Facebook - Here
Prices vary, depending on vehicle. Call/SMS them for a non-obligatory quote!