Vivid Black issues
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 14,670
Likes: 139
From: East of the Sun, West of the Moon
the trick to not getting swirls in any paint job is not to use cloth applicators or buffers.. use the foam (eggshell) ones you can pick up at autozone or any other parts store...
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,029
Likes: 9
From: NYC
+1 for Zainos! Great stuff and you don't need much so it lasts.
The main culprit of swirls is the towel you use to buff the polish. Zainos used to recommend American made all cotton white towels but they have now developed their own towels and they are great. Be sure to snap them out while using them to get rid of any dust that they may pick up. Dry your bike with a leaf blower or blower made for the drying vehicles. Drying with chamois, cotton towels or micro fiber can lead to scratches in the clear coat.
Zainos Z-5 is especially made for black.
http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc
The main culprit of swirls is the towel you use to buff the polish. Zainos used to recommend American made all cotton white towels but they have now developed their own towels and they are great. Be sure to snap them out while using them to get rid of any dust that they may pick up. Dry your bike with a leaf blower or blower made for the drying vehicles. Drying with chamois, cotton towels or micro fiber can lead to scratches in the clear coat.
Zainos Z-5 is especially made for black.
http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 0
From: FLORIDA
Thanks everyone for your input. Looks like Mequiar's products seem like the best to use. This is my fourth black Harley, and sometimes I wonder why I keep buying black ones. My friend had white, blue, red, purple, everything but black, and his always looks good. Of course my '10 Limited with black/black ice sure does look good when it's clean and shiny! I'm going to give 'ol Mequiar's a try. Later. Ride safe. Jr.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 604
Likes: 0
From: STATE OF JEFFERSON
I have a 03 marauder blk & my 06 road king classic black as well i use a good carnuba wax on both outstanding shine . I also for touch up's use the rain x blue bottle on the bike works well also .best if put on soft cloth first. Don't forget the tooth brush for the trim . Shine on man shine on .
Here is the drill as I know it.
Wash - Two bucket method, The first time use dawn dish washing liquid and wool mitt to strip off the old wax.
Clay Bar - Take some cellophane wrap and put it on your fingers and feel the paint.
Do you feel grit? If so, you need to clay bar.
Polish - For moderate imperfections use a swirl remover and then finishing polish.
If you have swirls, spiders, fine scratches this is the most important step!
Prep work is the key!
If you do not correct imperfections then Zaino or any other LSP will leave you with very shiny scratches.
I personally like Pinnacle Souveran on shiny black paint. It looks outstanding but only lasts a few weeks.
Zaino, which is a synthetic, will give a very good finish and last 6 months plus.
Glaze - Optional Step but also helps obtain a better shine and hide light blemishes and imperfections.
White Moose or PoorBoy's Black Hole for black paint.
Paint Sealant and/or Wax - Once the above is done a good LSP will show off a nice finish. Prep work is the key!
Zaino is a great LSP. Apply very thin. 2-3 coats looks real good.
I would suggest Zaino Z-5 for black. I believe Z-2 is a brighter finish.
Without adding the Zaino accelerator you will need to wait at least 24 hours between each coat of Z-5 or Z-2.
Pinnacle Souveran has a deep, warm, natural look that is different than Zaino.
I actually do both. I apply Pinnacle Souveran on top of the 3rd coat of Zaino.
This gives the longevity of the synthetic and the deep warm carnauba wax shine.
I also like Collonite Marque D Excellence and Insulator Wax.
Always use quality MF cloths not the Wal-Mart, Auto Parts flavors.
Did I mention...Prep work is the key!
Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 1
From: New York
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Novice
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
This is what I use on my 09 FXDB Vivid Black stripper taxi.
Pledge mulit-surface - Initial cleaning
Meguiars Ultimate Compound - Spots, stripper heel marks on the tank (if your too broke to buy rear pegs) ....gigidy
Meguiars Gold Class Carnuba Premium Paste Wax - Wow is all I can say
Meguiars Ultimate Quick Detailer
Pledge mulit-surface - Initial cleaning
Meguiars Ultimate Compound - Spots, stripper heel marks on the tank (if your too broke to buy rear pegs) ....gigidy
Meguiars Gold Class Carnuba Premium Paste Wax - Wow is all I can say
Meguiars Ultimate Quick Detailer
Here are a couple of articles on how to obtain that show bike finish.
Preparing the paint
How to use Zaino
Preparing the paint
How to use Zaino