Modern Vespa

So the MP3 isn't exactly a shiny beast. I mean it's got it's spots, but for the most part it isn't a machine you can rub wax on and make it look all polished. Frankly, I think it would try to eat you if you tried...I use plexus on the front nose and windscreen, regular soap and water for the rest of the body.

Chrome Polish for the exhaust.. What do you guys use and recommend. There's a few good threads awhile back talking about cleaning but not a whole lot focusing on this particular area.

Within the first 500 miles, the pipe has gotten splotches on it that will not come off with the standard soap and water scrub down.

I read a few reviews on WBW about http://www.starclean.net/id33.html being a decent polish to restore the chrome look and keep it fancy.

Thx

S


Thoughts? Ideas?
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While I had my bike apart for tire changing, I repainted the support arm black. Also, while everything was off, my OCD kicked in and I cleaned everything....EVERYTHING. My friend was a detailer at a Ford place and is just as anal as me about cleaning and has helped me over the years. For the exhaust, I started with mild soap and water, making sure to not get any in the actual exhaust and making sure to quickly hand dry as soon as done. Next, I used a small applicator sponge and Meguiar's all metal polish, applied liberally in small circular motions. I allowed time to 'whiten' and then buffed off by hand and then 'wet buffed' by sprinkling distilled water from a spray bottle and my original buffing pad. With chrome/polished BE VERY CAREFUL which polish you get as some may say Aluminum polish or Metal polish but if you read carefully, these say on the side "not intended for painted, chrome, or polished metal". Meguiar's All Metal is good and can be used for most any metal. Here's the recent link along with one of my older ones showing that indeed, the mp3s take wax, very very well. Some guys know engines, some guys know tires, I'm a cleaning guy . BTW, when waxing, if you don't want major headaches, use ICE or other NON-RESIDUE wax or you'll be using a detail brush to get white wax out of every nook in cranny for hours...

https://modernvespa.com/forum/topic48795


https://modernvespa.com/forum/topic31419?highlight=tutorial

If these are tar spots then petrol is the cheapest, easiest and most efficient removal agent.

FYI: Never apply polish or wax in a circle motion, this will leave swirl marks. You always apply polish and wax in straight back and forth motions. Your friend needs to get up to date training, this has been the rule for over 10 years now. I hang out in body shops a lot.

Wayne B

Reminds me of Mr Miagi...

Wax on

Wax off

Wax on

Wax off

Wayne is half wrong/half right. You CAN use straight motion if you like, I just prefer circular. This IS NOT THE 'RULE'. If it were, then the modern and recent Power waxers and buffers that all spin would be pretty useless and not made. I use the Mother's Powerball and Micropowerball for the body and detail of my scoot, but I still prefer to hand polish the shiny bits and the exhaust. This is directly from the Mother's Detail guide(pg 30):

"When applying polishes, sealers, glazes or waxes use a clean, 100-percent cotton towel, microfiber
cloth, foam wax pad or suitable applicator. Moisten the applicator only when using paste products,
because liquids already have water in them. Don't goop on too much material-thin layers work
better. If you're using liquid waxes and polishes, pour them on the applicator instead of directly on the
paint; otherwise they may leave dark, super-waxed streaks. The exception to this rule is Mothers FX®
Spray Wax and Reflections® Spray Wax which can be applied directly to the paint surface.
Apply the material on only one section or body-panel at a time-don't try to do the whole vehicle at
once. Whether you use a straight or circular motion is not as important as the amount of pressure.Don't use too much-work with a soft hand, letting the applicator and wax or polish to do its job. Just
be sure to rotate the applicator frequently and work with new surfaces to reduce the chance of paint
damage."

If you'd like a copy of the guide for free, simply go to:
http://www.detailguide.com/03_how_01_09_detailguide_pdf.html

I think I'll take the word of Mother's. I love their stuff and they've been making great detail products for ages.

You want info on detailing go to the fanatics
www.autopia.org/forum/index.php

I mean the rule here is do touch it when you don't have too. Leaf blowers to dry it. This is where to get the info on detailing

Wayne B