As we all know the back end of the V4's can get very dirty very quickly on the wet and crappy UK roads. Recently I had given my V4S a proper clean and I then applied some Maguires Ceramic Detailer to all the parts that I could possibly get at, especially the back end and all the paintwork including the wheels. It still got dirty after a few recent rides but not as bad as before, some of the crap just didn't appear to have stuck to the bike as much as it would have before. I then cleaned it yesterday for the first-time since applying the coating and it was so much easier to clean. A spray down with a hose and then some soft brushes with a bucket of my usual bike shampoo and all the crap just came away really easily. The Ceramic coating is still there and the bike looks good, don't know how long for, but it definitely made cleaning it much easier than before.
I've been curious about ceramic coating my bike for a while, but I don't know how it will react and sit on top of ACF 50 and also on the matt paint work. Anyone any experience with this?
The polish needs to be applied on a spotlessly clean surface which would require all the ACF50 to be removed. I’ve recently applied a ceramic polish to some carbon that is described as “matt” but I’d say it’s more a satin finish and it’s not made it look glossy. When I picked my bike up from the guys who did the PPF and ceramic polish, they said the occasional wipe over with some ceramic polish on a cloth would help maintain the performance of the polish and to be fair, cleaning has been easier. Andy
I use SiRamik lustrous Graphene. Better than ceramic and easier to apply. Don't keep this stuff for long as it does go off.
That’ts interesting, I’ll face exactly the same conditions over here in Belgium, a lot of debris and wet weather, roads are specially dirty in the fall with leaves and mud from farm machines leaving the fields and taking the road. Do you know by any change whether ceramic coating treatment also works against the corrossive effects of salt in the winter? In which case I could do away with the AFC 50 treatment I apply on my bikes for winter riding. Cheers
I use ACF50 on the bits below the tank and ceramic on the painted bodywork. I'm interested in trying XCP Rust Blocker as it's supposed to be superior to ACF50 but you can't buy it in bulk and apply it with a paint gun. AFAIK it's only available in aerosols and smalls sprayers so it's costly.
I've heard the same, both Acf50 and xcp are equal until a point, then xcp takes over in its ability to last longer. There is a great video on it on YouTube somewhere. I prefer acf 50 simply as I like to think the paint gun is more effective at reaching more tricky locations, and I reapply long before it starts to wear off as part of my cleaning routine. Which in its self is rare, but thorough. However, if I didn't have the space nor time for a proper application of Acf50, I'd have no problems using xcp given it's reputation
The main issue for me is rear black plastic undertray (below pillion seat and top box rack) that is over the rear wheel as well as the plastic around the rear wheel over the chain etc. Most seems to be matt plastic and the dirt gets ingrained into the cover. I have used a silicon spray on these areas that helps smooth out the plastic, it doesn't stop the dirt collecting around the back end but it does make it easier to clean off. I stopped using ACF type sprays as the dust and dirt just stuck in the oily coating. So far no rust
I use a paint gun but more because it's less wasteful and doesn't overdo it leaving a tacky mess. I keep an aerosol with a tube for targeting hard to reach spots, especially fasteners. less of an issue an the Ducati but aso have a KTM and they use torx head fasteners which are pigs for holding water and going rusty. I'm minded to give XCP a go. I already use their Pro chain lube and it's excellent. Best I've used. I doesn't last as long as some lubes but corrosion protection is superior to anything I've used and it's non-sticky so the chain attracts little dust and grime. Cleaning is simply a matter of wetting a cloth with brake cleaner and rubing it along the chain. Zero fling onto the rear wheel. I do get some on the lefthand side of the exhaust but only on the first ride after lubing. Once cleaned off it doesn't return. As to plastics, I've used ACF50 for years on my KTM, everywhere including the black plastics. It brings them up to a nice sheen but when washed and dried the plastics appear quite grey so either ACF50 doesn't offer any UV protection against discolouration or it actually causes greying. Don't now whether XCP does. If it protected plastics better I would swallow the cost and use it on the Diavel as it has a lot of black plastic.
Had my RSV4 headers ceramic coated years ago...lasted about a week and they looked fucked....Cerakote all the way...cant beat it.
