Keeping Your Bike Mint in the Aussie Heat: The Complete Detailing Deep-Dive

Never wash a hot bike. If you've just come back from a ride, give it at least an hour. Spraying cold water on a hot engine block can cause cracking or permanent staining of the metal.

Chuck a bung in the exhaust or use a plastic bag with a rubber band. If you've got an exposed air filter (like on some Harleys), cover that too. Water in the combustion chamber is a bad day for everyone.

Check for loose wires, open accessory ports (USB chargers!), and make sure your seat is locked down properly.

Find some shade. In Feb, if you wash in direct sun, the soap will dry on the paint before you can rinse it, leaving nasty streaks. Under a carport or in the garage is best.

Take off your tank bag, GPS, or panniers. You want to get to the dirt hiding underneath them.

I always start with the messiest bit. Spray your chain cleaner on and let it dwell. Use your brush to scrub the links. This prevents grease from splashing onto your clean paint later.

Apply wheel cleaner to dry wheels. Use a dedicated wheel woolie or brush to get behind the brake discs. Rinse thoroughly.

Use a gentle stream of water to knock off the loose stuff. If you've got a foam cannon, use it now. Let the foam pull the dust off for 5 minutes (don't let it dry!).

Using your two-bucket method, start at the mirrors and work down. Wash the tank, then fairings, then the lights. Rinse your mitt frequently.

Use a soft-bristled brush and soapy water to get into the cylinder fins and around the casing. For greasy spots near the sprocket, use a bit of citrus degreaser.

A customer once brought in a BMW GS covered in grasshoppers from a trip to western NSW. Best trick? Soak a microfibre in warm water, lay it over the bugs for 5 mins. They'll wipe right off. No scrubbing needed.

Give the whole bike a thorough rinse with low pressure. Avoid pointing the hose directly at wheel bearings, the radiator core, or electrical switches.

Break out the leaf blower. Blow out the spark plug recesses, the switchgear, and the radiator. This prevents water spots and keeps your electrics happy.

If the tank feels rough, use a clay bar and lubricant. This pulls out the embedded iron and 'industrial fallout' that a wash won't touch.

If you've got swirl marks on the tank from your jacket, use a fine polish by hand. Motorcycles have a thin clear coat, so be gentle.

Apply your ceramic sealant or wax. I reckon ceramic sprays are better for bikes because they handle the high heat of the engine and exhaust better than traditional wax.

Polish your exhaust headers and any chrome bits. If you've got matte black pipes, don't use polish! Just a dedicated matte protectant.

Wipe the seat with a damp cloth. Avoid 'shiny' protectants like Armor All, you'll slide right off the bike the first time you hit the brakes. Use a dedicated leather or vinyl cleaner that leaves a matte finish.

Clean the windscreen and gauges with a dedicated plastic cleaner. Avoid ammonia-based glass cleaners as they can yellow some plastics over time.

Now that it's clean and dry, apply your chain lube. Do this while the bike is off and rotate the wheel by hand. Wipe off the excess so it doesn't fling onto your fresh detail.