Can you apply ceramic coatings to a motorbike?

Ceramic coatings can be applied to all hard surfaces, metals, plastic, carbon fibre and glass which makes them ideal for both protecting your motorbike and helping to keep it clean. We know, cleaning motorbikes can be a chore.

Our one caveat on this subject is, to ensure that the detailer you choose is familiar with bikes. Just moving bikes around can be difficult, they are deceptively heavy and can take the uninitiated unawares. Ensure they have the experience and equipment before you trust them with your bike.

Which parts of a bike can usually be coated

Most of the visually painted and cosmetic surfaces on a bike can benefit from a suitable ceramic coating.

• Painted bodywork – tanks, fairings, side panels and tail units can be coated much like car paint to improve gloss and make bug removal easier.
• Powder-coated frames and swing arms – a coating helps keep road film, chain fling and general grime from biting in so quickly.
• Metalwork and engine cases – suitable high temperature or metal-safe coatings can make it easier to clean oxidisation and baked-on dirt.
• Wheels – coated wheels shed brake dust, chain lube and tar more easily, which is a big help on bikes that see real mileage.
• Screen and glass – visor-safe glass coatings can be used on windscreens and some helmet visors, making wet weather riding clearer.

In these areas, a good ceramic behaves much like it does on a car – it adds a sacrificial layer that resists grime and makes washing quicker.

Heat and high temperature areas

Exhausts, headers and some engine parts run far hotter than anything on an ordinary car body, so not every ceramic product is suitable there.

• Standard paintwork ceramics are not designed for the temperatures seen on exhaust downpipes and catalytic converters.
• There are high temperature ceramic and nano coatings specifically formulated for metals and exhaust systems.
• Even with the right product, coatings will not stop discolouration on raw metal where heat cycling naturally blues and tints the surface.
• The main benefit is easier cleaning of soot and road film, not a permanent “show chrome” finish on pipes that run red hot.

On most road bikes, it makes more sense to prioritise bodywork, wheels and easier-to-clean engine cases before worrying about coating every inch of pipework.

Benefits of ceramic coating on a motorbike

Done sensibly, coating a bike is as much about cleaning and corrosion resistance as pure cosmetics.

• Easier bug removal – fairings, screens and front panels clean up faster after insect-heavy rides.
• Better resistance to road film and chain fling – coated frames, wheels and swing arms are less likely to stain and are easier to degrease.
• UV and weather protection – paint and plastics stay fresher, especially on bikes that live outside.
• Slower corrosion on exposed metal – coatings on brackets, fasteners and cases add a little extra margin against rust and white oxidisation.

On a cherished bike that sees regular use, the payoff is less scrubbing and a finish that stays crisper for longer between deep cleans.

Limitations and myths

Bike coatings are helpful, but they do not change the realities of riding and cleaning in all weathers.

• They do not make a bike maintenance free – you still need to wash off salt, bugs and chain lube regularly.
• They do not stop stone chips on leading edges or fork legs – here, films or guards are more effective.
• They cannot fix poor paint or corrosion – any flaking lacquer or rust needs addressing first, not sealing in.
• They do not make a bike safe to jet wash aggressively – careless pressure washing can still drive water past seals and into bearings.

Think of a ceramic coating as a long term helper rather than a force field. It makes cleaning easier and slows deterioration, but it does not replace basic care.

Preparation challenges unique to bikes

Coating a motorbike properly is often more fiddly than coating a car, even though the total surface area is smaller.

• Tight spaces – frames, linkages and engine areas are full of nooks and crannies that are hard to polish and wipe without leaving high spots.
• Mixed materials – painted plastic, metal, bare aluminium and textured trims may each need different products.
• Decals and graphics – stickers and vinyl should be treated carefully; some coatings are fine over them, others are not recommended.

This is why serious bike coatings are usually carried out indoors, with the bike stable on stands, rather than as a quick driveway add-on.

Best practice if you want your motorbike ceramic coated

If you decide to ceramic coat a bike, a few guidelines keep it safe and worthwhile.

• Use an installer who regularly works on bikes, not just cars, and understands what must not be coated.
• Agree which materials and areas will be treated – bodywork only, or also wheels, engine cases and metalwork.
• Make sure there is a proper wash, decontamination and light polishing stage, not just a wipe and coat over old grime.
• Ask which products are being used on paint versus plastics and metal, and whether they are safe for your particular finishes.
• Follow sensible aftercare – gentle shampoos, careful use of degreasers, and regular cleaning after salty or dirty rides.

Handled this way, ceramic coating a motorbike becomes a practical upgrade for cleaning and longevity, not just a cosmetic gimmick.

Written by Danny Argent. Last updated 08/12/2025 14:52