Vivid Black fine scratches
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,584
Likes: 520
From: VA
Vivid Black fine scratches
If you've ever had a Vivid Black bike you know it's impossible to not get those fine scratches. I've used various polish products with mixed success. I probably contribute to the problem by using instant detailer after most rides. So anyone have a miracle polish they use or just say to hell with it and live with it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 10,833
Likes: 6,485
From: Canada Flats
I use Mcquiar's Ultimate Polishing Compound , to take the scratches out , then use their new Ceramic Polish / wax to finish it off . I don't use the compound every time I wash , just at the beginning of the season , then use the polish / wax throughout the season .
I used to use the spray and shine after most of my rides , bit that's what caused all the scratches and swirl marks , rinsing the bike off before cleaning is the only option .
When I wash my bike , before touching it , I always spray it down first , this get all the grime off that causes those fine swirl marks . I have a jug of Mcquiar's gold car wash that I use when I'm feeling lazy , just spray it on and wipe it dry , done .
You know how it goes though , on black , those swirl marks will magically reappear after every ride , we can only do our best , Lol .
Good luck to you sir .
I used to use the spray and shine after most of my rides , bit that's what caused all the scratches and swirl marks , rinsing the bike off before cleaning is the only option .
When I wash my bike , before touching it , I always spray it down first , this get all the grime off that causes those fine swirl marks . I have a jug of Mcquiar's gold car wash that I use when I'm feeling lazy , just spray it on and wipe it dry , done .
You know how it goes though , on black , those swirl marks will magically reappear after every ride , we can only do our best , Lol .
Good luck to you sir .
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,259
Likes: 523
From: USA
I've never found a miracle polish, for hand polishing, those so-called micro-fine scratches.
Meguairs Ultimate Polish is a good product (polish, not compound)
Those fine scratches, you are at a machine polishing option if you wish to eliminate them.
Black paint care is a hobby
Good luck.
Meguairs Ultimate Polish is a good product (polish, not compound)
Those fine scratches, you are at a machine polishing option if you wish to eliminate them.
Black paint care is a hobby
Good luck.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 3,442
Likes: 1,429
From: pensacola fl
3D Polish - Not available anymore. One of the best polishes I have used on soft clear.
CarPro Reflect - Another great polish for soft clear
CarPro Essence - Same as Reflect with a little ceramic in it
Sonax Perfect finish - My #3 polish for soft clear. Wipe off is just a touch stickier then the other 2
Car Pro Gloss pad - My favorite finishing pad
Im not a Meguiers fan. For me, so many other products work extremely better
With any soft clear, technique is so important to finish out as good as possible. You can have the best machine, pad, polish, but if your technique is bad = bad result
CarPro Reflect - Another great polish for soft clear
CarPro Essence - Same as Reflect with a little ceramic in it
Sonax Perfect finish - My #3 polish for soft clear. Wipe off is just a touch stickier then the other 2
Car Pro Gloss pad - My favorite finishing pad
Im not a Meguiers fan. For me, so many other products work extremely better
With any soft clear, technique is so important to finish out as good as possible. You can have the best machine, pad, polish, but if your technique is bad = bad result
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,437
Likes: 848
From: The High Plains, USA
Vivid Black is a royal pain. I'm as OCD as they come when it comes to paint and overall cleanliness of the bike. But when it comes to my Vivid Black bikes in the past, I resolved myself to keeping them at 80%-90%. Perfection is just not reality with that soft paint. Even if you resolved yourself to keeping it 100%, at what cost? You only have so much clear coat. One ride and the jeans have left their marks on the side of the tank anyways. It's an exercise in futility.
I usually ended up doing the blasphemous and leaning heavily on glazes and other products with fillers. Saved time, saved the finite amount of clear coat present, and most importantly saved my sanity.
I usually ended up doing the blasphemous and leaning heavily on glazes and other products with fillers. Saved time, saved the finite amount of clear coat present, and most importantly saved my sanity.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 3,442
Likes: 1,429
From: pensacola fl
Vivid Black is a royal pain. I'm as OCD as they come when it comes to paint and overall cleanliness of the bike. But when it comes to my Vivid Black bikes in the past, I resolved myself to keeping them at 80%-90%. Perfection is just not reality with that soft paint. Even if you resolved yourself to keeping it 100%, at what cost? You only have so much clear coat. One ride and the jeans have left their marks on the side of the tank anyways. It's an exercise in futility.
I usually ended up doing the blasphemous and leaning heavily on glazes and other products with fillers. Saved time, saved the finite amount of clear coat present, and most importantly saved my sanity.
I usually ended up doing the blasphemous and leaning heavily on glazes and other products with fillers. Saved time, saved the finite amount of clear coat present, and most importantly saved my sanity.
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Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,584
Likes: 520
From: VA
Vivid Black is a royal pain. I'm as OCD as they come when it comes to paint and overall cleanliness of the bike. But when it comes to my Vivid Black bikes in the past, I resolved myself to keeping them at 80%-90%. Perfection is just not reality with that soft paint. Even if you resolved yourself to keeping it 100%, at what cost? You only have so much clear coat. One ride and the jeans have left their marks on the side of the tank anyways. It's an exercise in futility.
I usually ended up doing the blasphemous and leaning heavily on glazes and other products with fillers. Saved time, saved the finite amount of clear coat present, and most importantly saved my sanity.
I usually ended up doing the blasphemous and leaning heavily on glazes and other products with fillers. Saved time, saved the finite amount of clear coat present, and most importantly saved my sanity.
4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 8
Likes: 3
From: NE MN
I have had good outcomes on several cars owned as well as my present Heritage in Vivid Black with P21S Carnauba wax. It goes on easily and I recommend quick removal for the best effect. It isn't cheap $$$ but the result is worth it.
Not mentioned, I think, is the use of the proper application and removal media. I use the pad that comes with the P21S but the key is using a microfiber cloth to remove the wax. Took me a while to listen to that advice and now I would never go back to a terrycloth towel or cloth diaper or anything but a good quality microfiber. My last four cars were black and they all ceased to exhibit the micro swirls and scratches since I made the change from when new. Same for the FLHCS.
I would add that the wax does not last as long as some others, but carnauba is not meant as a long term sealant, and it is IMHO the best. The brand also has a great wheel cleaner, but that is another topic.
Not mentioned, I think, is the use of the proper application and removal media. I use the pad that comes with the P21S but the key is using a microfiber cloth to remove the wax. Took me a while to listen to that advice and now I would never go back to a terrycloth towel or cloth diaper or anything but a good quality microfiber. My last four cars were black and they all ceased to exhibit the micro swirls and scratches since I made the change from when new. Same for the FLHCS.
I would add that the wax does not last as long as some others, but carnauba is not meant as a long term sealant, and it is IMHO the best. The brand also has a great wheel cleaner, but that is another topic.