“I want my bike to look amazing, but it takes so much work and results don’t last long enough.” Bikers are always looking for the best and easiest ways to preserve that beauty for the longest time possible, because we deserve the freedom to ride without worrying so much about maintaining every surface, from glossy or matte paint, to exhaust pipes, rims, engine fins, etc.

Imagine going years with a very high level of glossiness, reflection, color richness, without water marks on your paint, water droplets sliding right off when it rains, road grime not easily penetrating your paint or chrome, and avoiding dust completely. Ceramic coatings have this power when applied correctly. 

Motorcycles are more than just a vehicle; it is a lifestyle. They come in countless shapes, sizes, and styles, but no matter your preference, one thing is clear among bikers; we love our rides and when we take care of them, they take care of us. Motorcycle preservation is a combination of at-home care and professional support that can extend the life of a bike, minimize maintenance costs, and guarantee a higher resale value, while maintaining that showroom look and enhancing the riding experience. Ceramic coatings can play a pivot role in preserving a motorcycle.

What is a Motorcycle Ceramic Coating?

After professionally detailing a motorcycle, the results can last at its peak of beauty for a few months if a biker takes good care of it at home. This is not enough time for most bikers, most of us want long-term protection. Bikers want to focus on what they love, riding, but they want to have a bike that is protected from the elements for as long as possible. Motorcycle ceramic coating can provide protection that lasts several years on painted surfaces (glossy and matte) and even metals like rims, exhaust pipes, and engines. This protection has the power to save money, avoid a few headaches, and give a biker even more freedom. 

Ceramic coatings start as a liquid chemical solution applied on the surface of a vehicle, slowly the chemicals bond during a process called “curing” and transforms into a thin protective layer over that surface, like a hard shell. This layer is hydrophobic, constantly repelling water, meaning mineral deposits and dirt have less opportunity to damage the surface, and the original material of the motorcycle remains untouched. When properly applied and maintained, this layer can be effective for several years and resists heat, UV rays, environmental contaminants, and harsh detergents to prevent water stains, road grime, bird droppings, and other substances from reaching and harming the surface.

There are professional-grade and consumer-grade ceramic coatings available in the market. The professional-grade ceramic coatings provide the highest level of durability and quality, require an environmentally controlled space for application (level of humidity, dust, temperature) and usually have a multi-step curing process. There are also chemical variations per ceramic coating, from SiO2-based and fluorine-based, to silica-based and nano coatings. These may require different application processes, and professional detailers must understand the differences.

The cost to ceramic coat a motorcycle varies based on the product quality, durability, and professional application, but most of the cost variations happen based on the current state of the surface and how much preparation has to be done before application.

It’s important to know that even if you use the best motorcycle ceramic coating it doesn’t mean that your bike will have an impenetrable barrier, it can still be scratched or chipped, so you’ll need to have proper maintenance and follow appropriate washing techniques to keep your motorcycle ceramic coating in good condition.

Benefits of Bike Ceramic Coating

• Avoids water marks and build-up. Impressive hydrophobicity, constantly repelling water, which gives mineral deposits less opportunity to damage the surface. 
• Eliminating Static. Stopping dust from creating a bond with your motorcycle’s paint, helping it look clean for longer.
• Mirror-like surface. Due to the high level of gloss, silk effect and color richness provided by the ceramic coating.
• Easier to clean. Since ceramic coatings will make water bead up and roll off the surface and will eliminate static, it prevents most dirt and dust from bonding to the surface, making it easier to clean.
• Corrosion resistance. Since build-up is avoided, the surface is protected from rusting easily.
• Up to 5 years of protection. Depending on the type of ceramic coating and the maintenance done, protection can last for years.
• Higher level of hardness. Most of the clear coats have a hardness level nomination of 3H, but ceramic coating hardness is 9H. This increases protection from scuffs and minor scratches, wear, and swirl marks.
• Abrasion resistance. Protection from harsh chemicals and contaminants in the air, like acid rain and bird droppings.
• Prevents paint from fading. The sun’s harmful rays can fade your paint and make it look dull over time; ceramic coatings avoid this damage.

Motorcycle Surfaces that Can Have Ceramic Coatings Applied

It is ideal to protect all materials of a motorcycle since this solution allows you to have a protective layer completely coating motorcycle surfaces throughout. There are specific ceramic coatings that can be applied on each surface varying in chemical composition and protection level, while prioritizing preserving the integrity and finish of each material. The best ceramic coating for bikes is the one that can help address the needs of a particular type of material, not an all-in-one solution.

The variety in compositions allows professionals to offer a variety of services like motorcycle exhaust coating, ceramic coating for matte motorcycle, and solutions that address each of these:

• Glossy Paint
• Matte Paint
• Chrome
• Aluminum
• Powder coated
• Rims
• Engine
• Plastics
• Motorcycle exhaust and pipes

Applying Professional-Grade Ceramic Coating for Motorcycle

#1 Preparation

A combination of techniques is used to prepare each surface before applying any ceramic coating, from paint correction, to rust removal, polishing, and chip repairs. The level of preparation required per surface will greatly affect the total motorcycle ceramic coating cost, since professional detailers need to prepare the surface before even starting the ceramic coating process.

Ceramic coating will not correct any imperfection of the material, quite the contrary ceramic coating will magnify any imperfections. That’s the reason why you must first laboriously prepare the surface, correcting all possible imperfections, like swirls and scratches on the paint, rust on chrome, or discoloration on plastics. 

#2 Application and Curing

To make sure the results are what is promised, professionals must pay attention to every detail, since improper application of ceramic coating may cause high spots, streaks, cloudy reflections, or hazing. Biketailing Specialties is leading the way in motorcycle ceramic coating and one of the only Gyeon-certified professional motorcycle detailers, due to the level of care and professionalism in the studio.

The professional process begins with the right environmentally controlled space, which requires maintaining levels of humidity below 50% and zero dust during the curing process. After selecting the right ceramic coating for the material and durability needed, the proper application process is followed. Then, the curing process begins, which is when the surface is kept untouched for hours or days in the controlled environment to allow the chemicals to bond correctly and create the layer properly. 

#3 Preservation

When your bike ceramic coating is complete, you want to ensure that results last as long as possible. The right preservation techniques can go a long way with a combination of at-home practices and professional support.

At-Home: proper washing and using the right products will make results last. Visit our motorcycle preservation page for tips and find products like the Gyeon Quick Detailer in our shop, which is essentially a multi-surface cleaner with superpowers and designed to be gentle on any ceramic coating.

Professional Support: the life of a ceramic coating can be extended further. Quick sealant refreshers are beneficial and applying a ceramic coating boost can extend the life of a ceramic coating one more year than originally planned.

DIY or Professional Application of Motorcycle Ceramic Coating?

Even though there are good consumer-grade ceramic coatings in the market, at professional studios like Biketailing, we only work with a high professional line of products only available for detailing studios. For extraordinary results that last, it’s highly recommended to opt for a ceramic coating applied by professionals that have the knowledge, skills, equipment, and controlled environment necessary. Professional application is specially recommended for ceramic coating on bikes because their surfaces are very different from other vehicles.

Biketailing Specialties has over 40 years of experience in motorcycle detailing and restoration, and has become the industry expert in motorcycles, an IDA-certified detailer, and a Gyeon-certified detailer. The professional studio is environmentally controlled for ideal application and curing, and the highly trained team knows exactly how to evaluate each surface of a motorcycle and recommend the right ceramic coatings and preservation techniques. We treat your bike like we treat our own.