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Gloss Black is ALOT harder to maintain in my opinion. Had a gloss black sportster XL and gloss black wide glide. I couldn't stand the swirls !!!! No aftermarket wax could get them out. I LOVE my denim black street glide. All I do is use a microfiber cloth and the HD denim cleaner spray and wipe it down. Haven't experienced any scratches and hope not too.
The denim paint is super easy to maintain. But, as mentioned, it is called denim because it's meant to have imperfections along the way. My bike has a couple shiny spots from things rubbing on the paint when touring. I don't mind it, and even with those imperfections, it always looks so much better than my Vivid black bike did 10 miles into a ride.
The denim paint scheme is a gloss color with a frosted clearcoat. You can buff out a denim paint tin set and have a solid color underneath. I know a dealer that had a problem with the denim paint, started out by trying to buff out and it got worse and worse, then color sanded it and polished it until it was a solid color paint.
You just have to be a little more careful with how you care for it thats all. A nice soap water bath before wiping it down when its nice and dirty for sure. Windex the whole damn bike, its a piece of cake. I have a couple small rub shines from normal wear as well and its just a part of the deal thats all. It DOES show scratches for sure, but even at 17,xxx miles now mine looks 99% brand new still.
That actually doesn't sound bad. I'm pretty **** about caring for my bike. In eight years I've only gotten one scratch through the paint down to the primer and that was when a screwdriver slipped taking off the seat. I did scratch the clear coat on the tank when doing a cam replacement but was able to buff it out with scratch x.
Really dig that denim black with red pin stripes. Still don't know if I can part with the wideglide and can't swing having both. Bike will be a daily commuter and need to be more comfy on long rides. I want to start doing longer tours out west and back up north and the wideglide wears me out quicker than it used to.
That actually doesn't sound bad. I'm pretty **** about caring for my bike. In eight years I've only gotten one scratch through the paint down to the primer and that was when a screwdriver slipped taking off the seat. I did scratch the clear coat on the tank when doing a cam replacement but was able to buff it out with scratch x.
Really dig that denim black with red pin stripes. Still don't know if I can part with the wideglide and can't swing having both. Bike will be a daily commuter and need to be more comfy on long rides. I want to start doing longer tours out west and back up north and the wideglide wears me out quicker than it used to.
I was sort of in the same situation. I had a 07 Suzuki GSX-R 1000 and a 13 street glide. I rode 11,000 miles on my SG and maybe 500 on my crotch rocket last year. It was fun going stupid fast sometimes, but it didn't get ridden enough to be practical to keep. I traded in and got a 15 rgs, denim black. Too much snow and cold weather in Ohio to ride, but March 1st it looks like it will be in the 50s! I'm looking forward to the ease of cleaning for the denim paint. I definitely spend more time riding and not much time detailing. Maybe a good wash every week or two.
I've had two denim black bikes and I love it. No, you cannot buff out scratches and yes, it does show spots if something rubs on it for a while (like your legs on the tank). However, I really like the color scheme and find that care is really easy, spray and wipe. As long as your mindful of what you are doing, which shouldnt be any different from a clear coated paint scheme, its great paint.
I have a 16 Street glide special with the charcoal denim. Funny thing is, I found this post because as I sit in the garage having a smoke, I notice from a certain angle I can see some shiny spots on the fuse box cover. All in all, I love the denim look. As others have said, it is super easy to clean and the paint is very durable. I have to be looking at the bike just right to notice the shiny spots but I would definitely do it over again. I like to spend my time on the road, not polishing a bike and driving myself crazy over every little imperfection. If you ride it enough, your going to get some"road wear". Enjoy it. It's a Harley... Not a fkin 69 Plymouth road runner.
Tell me that ain't sexy
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but March 1st it looks like it will be in the 50s! 
I'm looking forward to the ease of cleaning for the denim paint. I definitely spend more time riding and not much time detailing. Maybe a good wash every week or two.
