Guys and Gals, I have a Vivid Black Slim and half the tank (working gas cap side) has swirls in it, the other side of the tank is perfect. The very fine scratches you see when direct sun is on it. Has a light hazy look to it. I have used a DA on Black cars before and gotten incredible results using Meguire's compound, polish, and wax, but when it comes to Harley paint I'm flying blind. I don't want to do more harm than good. Anyone have first hand advice on how to go about getting these swirls out?

 

Having owned 3 vivid black bikes over the years my advice is don't worry about it. You might get rid of the swirls with enough effort. But it will only be temporary. I tend to use instant detailer a lot to remove bugs. And I am sure that contributes to my swirls.

 

use this:

 

3M filler glaze & swirl mark remover - expensive but when applied with a top coat its like you never had a flaw, this is a pro use product so follow the direction close, I use this with F-11 & it gets a lot of people asking me what I use. did a trip a couple weeks back & rode through some of the worst rain ive ever been in, returned home - rinse with water re apply the same recipe & done!

 

I had mine corrected and coated with ceramic coating. Big difference. I am also very carefull how i wash and dry it

 

No doubt you will find a gazillion opinions on which is the best compound, which is the best polish etc ...and there are certainly enough of them. If you want to research, avoid youtube like the plague, nothing but propaganda and false claims if you ask me. I felt more assured reading the car detailing forums to see what stuff they use

One thing to bear in mind; some of this stuff is designed for machine, and some work just as well by machine or hand. That No 9 I think is aimed at machine, whereas I use the 205 which I think is supposed to be ok for hand as well. They both work out about 3 out of 10 on the cutting scale.

...as does that 3M ...but according to 3M there is not supposed to be any filler in the recipe?? and, I found a couple or reports that suggests it leaves a haze.

Anyways, +1 vote here for Meguires stuff if you get the right one for your needs and technique. I used Ultimate compound to take out the worst of it (somewhere around 8 out of 10 for cutting) and polished it off with the 205 ...both by hand. I was chuffed with the results. Takes a bit of effort doing it by hand mind you, lol

Good luck with it

edit: whoops, wrong number, 105 that I first mentioned is more aggressive (10 out of 10) than the Ultimate compound

 

I use cg v36 and v38 topped with mckees 37 ceramic coat. The clear coat is pretty soft. It micromars easy even with the ceramic coat. Use the produxts you have. Also, ironically the griots ultimate compound on their orange pad worked fairly well. Supposedly harleys clear coat is pretty thick.

 

Ive been using the method as described in my above post for 20+ years & never had a "haze", swirls, scratches, detailing & whatever is a topic that can go back & forth with - mine is a better method than yours , etc... what I do is always complemented where ever I go & after a 1000 mile trip through adverse weather, my method allows for a rinse it off & repeat...…….quick, easy & looks good! what more can one ask for

 

I have used the Meguires cleaner wax on all my bike with good results. Removes water spotting and never leaves swirls. But I also don't buy black bikes.

 

Ah but which ceramic coat

Seriously though, I said it too, the op will get LOADS of answers all of which at the end of the day come down to personal choice, or even what is available at the shop around the corner or whatever.

There are LOTS of options, there are LOTS of opinions, and there are LOTS of reasons to pick one or the other. Try a couple and see what YOU think

Also, there are LOTS of car detailing forum that discuss washing, brushes, compounds, polishes, sealants, coatings, waxes, microfibre cloths, which grade of disk, which brush to use etc etc.... ad infinitum.

I get my stuff at the shop around the corner, for example, I read it was decent, and am personally chuffed with the results I get