Color Change
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 4,618
Likes: 290
From: Johnstown, PA
Color Change
Yes, Vivid Black looks fantastic when freshly cleaned and polished, but when you only fully detail it once a season, it starts to look a little ratty.
Been thinking about changing things up, and have been looking at used paint sets of eBay, and new paint sets from boardtracker. Either way, those options are rather expensive. So this got me thinking, and wondering about ditching the shine and adding a topcoat of denim clear. I have painted many of bikes (and cars) over the years, and have the knowhow and the tools to do the work myself. (Maybe a winter project)
Has anyone done this? If so, how did things turn out for you?
If you sprayed it yourself, how unforgiving is the matte clear? With gloss, if you have an imperfection, if can be scuffed and buffed, not sure if that an option with denim.
Just toying with the idea, and thinking out loud here, any input is appreciated.
Been thinking about changing things up, and have been looking at used paint sets of eBay, and new paint sets from boardtracker. Either way, those options are rather expensive. So this got me thinking, and wondering about ditching the shine and adding a topcoat of denim clear. I have painted many of bikes (and cars) over the years, and have the knowhow and the tools to do the work myself. (Maybe a winter project)
Has anyone done this? If so, how did things turn out for you?
If you sprayed it yourself, how unforgiving is the matte clear? With gloss, if you have an imperfection, if can be scuffed and buffed, not sure if that an option with denim.
Just toying with the idea, and thinking out loud here, any input is appreciated.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9,568
Likes: 7,936
From: Long Island, New York
I had vivid black for years, yeh a total PITA. Due to a minor accident I decided to paint the bike, found a nice Hyundai silver, looks great. And even better, rarely looks dirty, pretty much the same all the time unless it gets real bad. I stay on top of my bike being clean, but the black was too much. You go for a 100 mile ride, on a beautiful day, all sorts of crap all over especially the back of the bags and fender. Silver much, much easier.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,949
Likes: 150
From: South of Mordor
I would suggest the wrap method also, no body work needed, just a good cleaning and time to wrap. If you want to change it up again, pull the wrap and change the color, all while maintaining and protecting the stock paint.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 23,000
Likes: 11,441
Black is so boring. My Street is black denim. Small bike so not a lot to care for . I had heard all the stuff about how hard it was to care for. It has not been a problem . Good luck with you choice.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,156
Likes: 11,247
From: San Diego, CA
Yes, Vivid Black looks fantastic when freshly cleaned and polished, but when you only fully detail it once a season, it starts to look a little ratty.
Been thinking about changing things up, and have been looking at used paint sets of eBay, and new paint sets from boardtracker. Either way, those options are rather expensive. So this got me thinking, and wondering about ditching the shine and adding a topcoat of denim clear. I have painted many of bikes (and cars) over the years, and have the knowhow and the tools to do the work myself. (Maybe a winter project)
Has anyone done this? If so, how did things turn out for you?
If you sprayed it yourself, how unforgiving is the matte clear? With gloss, if you have an imperfection, if can be scuffed and buffed, not sure if that an option with denim.
Just toying with the idea, and thinking out loud here, any input is appreciated.
Been thinking about changing things up, and have been looking at used paint sets of eBay, and new paint sets from boardtracker. Either way, those options are rather expensive. So this got me thinking, and wondering about ditching the shine and adding a topcoat of denim clear. I have painted many of bikes (and cars) over the years, and have the knowhow and the tools to do the work myself. (Maybe a winter project)
Has anyone done this? If so, how did things turn out for you?
If you sprayed it yourself, how unforgiving is the matte clear? With gloss, if you have an imperfection, if can be scuffed and buffed, not sure if that an option with denim.
Just toying with the idea, and thinking out loud here, any input is appreciated.
I am not a painter, and didn't know that the difference between a gloss black paint job and the new denim black paint jobs, is just a different clear coat...
But I can say that I have a friend with a Harley denim paint job, I have been curious about denim paint colors, and read a bunch about the denim paint colors... almost everything I've heard & read says it's much easier to care for than the gloss paints...
If you go that route, make sure to post the results and your impressions of it.....
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,899
Likes: 3,412
From: OH
I find it easier because I am careful with my stuff. I do use top coat on it (I know not everyone is a fan). It looks the same as it did the day I bought it with almost 15k in it. My other bike is vivid black and it takes more work to keep the swirls and small scratches hidden. It looks better than the denim twice a year.
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