New Harley with very soft paint

[Blackford]

I just got a brand new Harley Davidson motorcycle in black which apparently has very soft paint. If you rub your finger over the paint you instill scratches in the clearcoat. What should I use on this paint to remove the scratches without creating new ones. I already have Scratch X and M09, would either of those be good, or do I need something even less aggresive?

Also does anyone know if this is normal for Harley Davidson motorcycles? I never had one before, but I have never seen paint this soft.

Thanks

[tguil]

Re: New Harley with very soft paint

Yep, the paint is soft --very soft. I have two black Harleys so I know.

Be very careful when you wash your bike. Unless you have serious scratches I'd not use ScratchX. I have used #80 very successfully and then followed up with several different Meguiar's waxes. Another suggestion is ColorX and then follow up with NXT. That's what I am using now.

I rode my bike this afternoon and when I returned home I noticed light scratches while it was sitting with the sun at the right angle. I hit it with some Ultimate Quick Detailer and called it good enough.

I suggest using only foam pads for applying polishes and waxes. I marred the heck out of my bike using a microfiber covered pad.

Welcome to the wonderful world of black Harley Davidsons. It's called -- "Ride and shine".

Tom

Tom

[02zx9r]

Re: New Harley with very soft paint

Good info to know. I am doing my room mates Harley Electraglide Ultraclassic saturday morning. I am planning on using M80 on the tank where there are light swirls and either megs DC step one paint cleaner or Pinnacle XMT ultra fine swirl remover on the rest of the paint to bring out the gloss.

[TLMitchell]

Re: New Harley with very soft paint

Yep, the paint is soft --very soft. I have two black Harleys so I know.

Be very careful when you wash your bike. Unless you have serious scratches I'd not use ScratchX. I have used #80 very successfully and then followed up with several different Meguiar's waxes. Another suggestion is ColorX and then follow up with NXT. That's what I am using now.

I rode my bike this afternoon and when I returned home I noticed light scratches while it was sitting with the sun at the right angle. I hit it with some Ultimate Quick Detailer and called it good enough.

I suggest using only foam pads for applying polishes and waxes. I marred the heck out of my bike using a microfiber covered pad.

Welcome to the wonderful world of black Harley Davidsons. It's called -- "Ride and shine".

Tom

Tom

Weird. the fiberglass fairing on my black Ultra took orange LC foam and M105 to remove some marks and finished great. Same with the saddlebags. Gave every indication of hard CC. Got to the tank and it was extremely soft..... couldn't get m205 to finish without marring with a grey LC pad. Ended up using 106FF to get it to finish well. Same story, look at it crosseyed and you get swirls on the tin.

I've been using a blower to dry after washing and using plush MF with DG AW or UQD for lubricity to finish drying. Still get marks. Sheesh.....

TL

[Blackford]

Re: New Harley with very soft paint

Well thanks for the information. At first I thought it was just me, I couldn't believe paint could be that soft. I will try M80 and see how that works. I was under the impression that M80 was more aggressive than Scratch X, am I wrong?

[Erik Mejia]

Re: New Harley with very soft paint

From experience, ColorX or M66 is the way to go with this paint. The aggressiveness of these products is just right for that soft paint.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: New Harley with very soft paint

Yep, the paint is soft --very soft. I have two black Harley's so I know.

Another suggestion is ColorX and then follow up with NXT. That's what I am using now.

From experience, ColorX or M66 is the way to go with this paint. The aggressiveness of these products is just right for that soft paint.

Sounds right as long as it's just light scratches.


G11816 ColorX

[02zx9r]

Re: New Harley with very soft paint

what if you have 3M cleaner wax??

[cnfowler]

Re: New Harley with very soft paint

BlackFord, it's funny that you posted this question. A buddy of mine just bought a brand new black Street Glide and was asking me about the paint. He described it just like you did - can't even touch it without instilling scratches. I told him I'd have to come over and check it out, just haven't made it over there yet.

I, too, had never heard of paint being this soft. I guess its the norm with the HD's. I'll pass on the information in this thread to him.

Colin

[tguil]

Re: New Harley with very soft paint

I ride a Sportster 1200 and a Super Glide. Not a lot of paint, but a bunch of chrome. When I was young and crazy (prior to turning 65), I waxed the tank and fenders after every wash. It only takes a few minutes -- not a heck of a lot longer than using a QD.

Tom

p.s. My other American icon -- a John Deere tractor -- has even softer paint. Yes, I detail the tractor. It cost me as much as a Harley.

[02zx9r]

Re: New Harley with very soft paint

makes sense, if you want the paint to last and always look good and be protected, why not?

Im going to hit up my girlfriends bbq grill tomorrow, clean, clay bar and probably polish it

[Blackford]

Re: New Harley with very soft paint

Thanks for the ideas. I tried M80 and it did a pretty good job, but still left from light marks. I will have to try Color X next and see how that works. How long should I be working these products in the paint? Should I work it more or less compared to a car with normal paint?

And would any products from Meguiars Motorcycle Line be good to use?

[Mike Phillips]

Re: New Harley with very soft paint

Thanks for the ideas. I tried M80 and it did a pretty good job, but still left from light marks. I will have to try Color X next and see how that works. How long should I be working these products in the paint? Should I work it more or less compared to a car with normal paint?

Be more careful. Use good technique, this means anytime you're doing any cleaning steps, (removing defects), start out with firm pressure but on your last few passes lighten up the pressure. Don't buff to a dry buff even with a cleaner/wax like ColorX. Allow ColorX to dry before removing.

And would any products from Meguiars Motorcycle Line be good to use?

The Motorcycle line is basically established formulas in smaller packaging to make it easier for motorcycle owners to pack some of the products with them on their bike for a trip. Also, smaller packaging allows them to use the product up and the replace it with new/fresh product versus pack around a product that takes a cycle owner longer to use up.