I'm sure this has been discussed here in the past but with new products always available, I was wondering what everyone uses to get those tiny scratch and swirl marks out of their paint?
With a gloss black bike, I try to clean it and keep up with it as much as possible, but from different angles I see these thin scratches.

Anyone have a recommendation? If so, what do you use with it? Foam applicator, polishing cloth, microfiber cloth?

All help will be appreciated.

 

Pledge works pretty good on my black FXSTC. Give it a shot, you might well be impressed by the results.
Remember, Ride Safe...

 

Mequier's 105, then Mequier's 205, then a good carnuba wax.

 

If you are working with black paint... and it needs attention bad...

I use 3M 5996 glazing compound by hand. Shake it real good...Use a good soft cloth, maybe Microfiber, put about a quarter size dab on the rag and rub a small section at a time till it disappears. Should be able to find this at most NAPA stores or auto parts stores that sell automotive paint. This 3M 5996 Perfect-it polishing glaze is made for black paint cost $30-48 bottle but last a long long time for a bike. I would not use any power buffer or polishers on it... It will work by hand just fine.
OR
You could use BLACK BOX by Turtle Wax. This is also made for black paint. 2 step process wax... does wonders for black bikes.
If it is not to bad you can do this alone

If you do both...the bike will look like new.

My buddy has an 06 Ultra with about 50K miles...it looked like somebody washed with a windshield bug scraper. He was talking about re-painting lowers and front fairing due to all the scratches and swirls. He wanted me to pull it apart so he could carry it to a painter he knows. I asked him to let me try to get it worked out first... Hit with 5996 then followed with the Black box... It did not need painting anymore. The old guy was thrilled. The bike looks great...actually better than my 2012 limited in Vivid Black.

This some work...but if you take your time...wash it really good(twice or three times)...dry it really good (and let it sit over night to make sure it is throughly dry). You can get some good results.

Good rainy day project.

 

Let me just tell you the best thing to use and believe me i am fastidious when it comes to keeping my bike's ready for parade ....... Harley swirl and scratch remover comes in a bottle not expensive and it (WORKS!) you dont need this that and then more of this and that .....just follow the instructions (apply with a cloth / remove with a cloth) how hard or easy do you want to make it?

 

I use a 3" air buffer...your not going to truly get rid of scratches without one with the correct pads. Look at the menzerna line of products and top it off with a coat of pinnacle souveran. As mentioned prior Megs 105 and 205 are good too and they will do the job quick, just dont use them on fresh paint.

 

Meguiars show car glaze #7. Rub back and forth...not circular.

 

+1 on the meguiars.

My rear fender got so bad though from throw over saddle bags that I just hid the scratches under a fender bib.....

 

3M 5996 Perfect-it polishing glaze and and hand rub it or a very low low speed clean buff , best I've ever found was also in the paint repair shops at the car plant I was in .

 

+1 on the turtle wax black box.