Do You Need a Coating for Your Motorcycle? A Comprehensive Guide to Types, Price Ranges, and Precautions

Is coating necessary for motorcycles?

Source: https://pixabay.com/ja/photos/AF-92442/
Coating is effective for keeping your motorcycle clean for a long time, but is it necessary for motorcycles, which have a smaller body area than cars?

In conclusion, coating is necessary to keep your motorcycle clean for as long as possible. The reasons are as follows:

1. Maintain body shine for a long period
2. Protect body paint
3. Easier washing due to dirt-resistant surface
4. Suppress deterioration of mufflers and engines

1. Maintain body shine for a long period

One of the biggest features of coating is that it can maintain the shine of your motorcycle's body for a long period, and even enhance the shine of a new motorcycle.

Even if the coating's effect weakens and the body's shine is lost, recoating will restore its brilliance, and maintaining a beautiful body can also lead to a higher appraisal value when selling it.

2. Protect body paint

Applying a coating to your motorcycle also helps protect the painted surface, guarding the body to some extent from flying stones and insects.

While it doesn't completely protect the body from flying stones, the hardness of the coating film varies, and a harder film offers stronger protection.

It protects the paint from various situations, such as small scratches from towels used for washing, UV rays, and water spots caused by water droplets evaporating in the sun.

3. Easier washing due to dirt-resistant surface

The coating film protects the body from dirt such as rainwater, dust, and insects that may adhere when riding on highways.

Dirt and insects adhere to the coating film, appearing to float above the body, and the dirt on the coating film can be easily washed off with just water, making washing hassle-free.

However, as the coating's effect wears off, adhered dirt becomes harder to remove, so regular maintenance is necessary. (The effective period depends on the coating applied and riding environment.)

4. Suppress deterioration of mufflers and engines

Heat-resistant glass coatings can also protect high-temperature areas such as mufflers and engines.

Conversely, if a non-heat-resistant coating is used on high-temperature parts like mufflers, the coating film may melt and leave stains that cannot be washed off, so caution is advised.

【Comparison】Types of motorcycle coatings and price ranges

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There are various types of motorcycle coatings, such as polymer coatings and glass coatings, and the cost and working time vary depending on the coating.

In this section, we will explain the different types of motorcycle coatings, their estimated costs, and their pros and cons. Please try any coating that interests you.

Coating types and estimated costs/application times
Coating type Estimated working time Estimated price range
[DIY] Wax ~2 hours ¥2,000-¥7,000
[DIY] Glass coating ~8 hours ¥4,000-¥12,000
Glass coating ~8 hours to 2 days ¥50,000-¥100,000
Polymer coating ~2-5 hours ¥20,000-¥70,000
Ceramic coating Depends on vendor ¥50,000-¥150,000

DIY Wax

DIY wax (DIY = Do It Yourself) refers to buying commercially available wax and applying it yourself, which is recommended for those who want to minimize costs.

To wax, first wash your motorcycle to remove dirt from the body, then apply the wax to the body using a soft sponge, etc., let it sit for a while (sitting time depends on the wax), and then wipe off the wax.

The advantages are low cost, a glossy body, and easy application, while the disadvantages are prone to unevenness and short duration of effect.

DIY glass coating

Glass coating is a type of coating where glass components form a film that protects the paint. It has superior durability compared to wax and other coating methods, so it is recommended for those who want to maintain the coating's effects for a longer period.

The advantages include a long-lasting coating and the fact that dirt can be removed with just water after application, eliminating the hassle of washing.

The disadvantages are that it takes time to apply and that the product cost is slightly higher than wax.

【Professional request】Glass coating

For those seeking higher quality coating, it is advisable to have glass coating applied by a professional.

The advantages are the professional finish, which is superior to self-application, and the hard and stable film that maintains the coating condition for a longer period (generally about 2 to 3 years).

The disadvantages include the high cost of application and the fact that glass coating film formation requires over 10 hours, meaning the motorcycle will need to be left with the professional for about a day.

【Professional request】Polymer coating

Polymer coating is a resin-based coating that includes fluorine and silicone, and it is recommended for those who want to have a professional coating applied at an affordable price.

The advantage is that it lasts longer than wax (oil-based). While wax lasts for about 1 month, polymer coating maintains its effect for about 3 to 5 months.

The disadvantages are that its effect is shorter than glass coating, requiring higher application frequency to maintain the coated state, and caution is needed as using shampoo with compounds can remove the film.

【Professional request】Ceramic coating

Ceramic coating is a type of coating that uses compounds such as metals, carbon, and nitrogen in the coating agent, and it is gaining attention as an alternative to glass coating.

The advantages are that the coating film has high hardness, making it highly resistant to scratches and solar heat, and also strong against chemicals and calcium chloride spread in winter.

The disadvantages are the high application cost, and that chemical resistance is not perfect, meaning it cannot completely protect against stains and minor scratches.

Ceramic coatings can be applied in multiple layers like paint to create a thicker film, and some even have self-healing properties. If you desire greater shine and longer-lasting effects, consider these options.

Recommended coating agents for motorcycles

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We recommend motorcycle coating agents for those who are considering DIY coating.

We will introduce various types, from solid and liquid application types to spray types, so please try anything that interests you.

1. LAVEN Glass-based Body Coating Agent SX9 Application Set

Source: https://bikeman.jp/products/lav-97837-55104

LAVEN's "Glass-based Body Coating Agent SX9 Application Set" is a glass coating recommended for those who desire long-lasting coating effects and a more lustrous finish.

It's a data-driven hybrid with a two-layer structure, featuring a glass film and a water-repellent film. The glass film maintains a rich luster for a long time, and dirt is less likely to adhere, making washing easier.

• Selling price (tax included): ¥8,265

2. DAYTONA Metal Coating Wax

Source: https://bikeman.jp/products/d-96319
DAYTONA "Metal Coating Wax" is recommended for those looking for wax for metal surfaces such as swingarms and frames.

With easy application that requires no wiping, it forms a special film that blocks oxygen on the metal surface, suppressing rust and enhancing shine.

• Selling price (tax included): ¥1,692

3. LAVEN Chrome Cleaner & Wax

Source: https://bikeman.jp/products/lav-97837-51104

LAVEN's "Chrome Cleaner & Wax" is recommended for those who want to clean and wax chrome and stainless steel parts.

This spray type can be used not only on metal parts but also on painted surfaces such as fuel tanks and cowls. It removes dirt and applies wax at the same time, making waxing effortless.

• Selling price (tax included): ¥758

4. LAVEN Spray Wax 420ml

Source: https://bikeman.jp/products/lav-97837-51302

LAVEN's "Spray Wax" is a mousse-type wax that is applied while wiping, recommended for those concerned about leftover residue.

It's a non-compound type that is gentle on painted surfaces and can be widely used on fuel tanks, screens, cowls, and other resin parts. It also has excellent water resistance, so its effects last even on rainy days.

• Selling price (tax included): ¥1,238

5. SurLuster Cleaner & Coating Zero Finish S-125

Source: https://amzn.to/44lL7MV

SurLuster's "Cleaner & Coating Zero Finish" is recommended for those who want to clean and coat their motorcycle easily, as this single product does both.

Its high water repellency lasts for about 2 months, and it can be used on the entire motorcycle, including fuel tanks, screens, cowls, as well as high-temperature areas like engines and mufflers.

• Selling price (tax included): ¥2,717

Motorcycle coating FAQs

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Here are frequently asked questions and answers regarding motorcycle coating. If you're considering motorcycle coating, please refer to this information.

Are there any points to note when applying glass coating to a motorcycle?

If you're applying glass coating to your motorcycle yourself, it takes about 12 hours for the coating agent to cure, during which time you cannot wash it with water.

Also, it takes about 10 days to 2 weeks for the coating film to fully harden, so it's best to avoid washing with water as much as possible during that period.

Is it better to apply multiple layers of glass coating?

Just like clear coat on paint, layering glass coating creates a richer shine, so if you desire a deeper luster, multiple coats are recommended.

As a precaution, it takes about 2 days for the glass coating film to harden to some extent, so if you're applying multiple coats, make sure to wait at least 2 days between applications.

What is the strongest motorcycle coating?

The strongest motorcycle coating is ceramic coating, which offers a long-lasting effect and beautiful luster after application.

While the application cost is higher than glass coating, ceramic coating is less prone to cracking when layered and has higher resistance to acids and alkalis.

Are glass coating and glass-based coating different?

The difference between glass coating and glass-based coating is that glass coating uses glass components to form a film that protects the paint, while glass-based coating contains glass components within a petroleum-based oil solvent (polymer-based).

Glass coating has a thick, strong film that lasts for a long period (about 2 years), whereas glass-based coating has a thin film and a shorter lasting period of about 2 months.

Some commercially available DIY coating agents have confusing labels, so if you want glass coating, make sure to check carefully before purchasing.

Summary

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We have discussed coatings that can keep your motorcycle's paint beautiful for a long time, including the types of coatings, estimated application costs, and which coating is the strongest and most effective.

There are various types of coatings that can be easily applied by yourself (DIY), such as spray types that don't require wiping, those that clean and coat at the same time, and wipe-on wax types.

For higher quality coating, professional application is recommended, but it can be quite expensive (around ¥20,000 to ¥100,000). If you want to save money, we recommend using commercially available coating agents like the ones introduced here and applying them yourself.