i give mine a good wipe down with a quick detailer to get any dust or particles off my tins. usually mother's califoria gold quick detail.

then i go over problem areas (top of rear fender, top of tank) with meguiar's swirlX 2.0. rub it in real good and let it sit for about 10 minutes, then wipe off.

then i go back with meguiars's nxt tech wax. apply a liberal coat with a foam applicator and let it sit for up to 30 minutes, then wipe off. i usually do my pipes/wheels while waiting for the wax to sit.

this gets me a great wet mirror-like finish on my black tins.

i'm gonna have to try zaino's though, lots of good reviews on it.

 

Although everyone's got their own ideas about products etc, Merlin gave you the straight skinny on paint maintenance. He's obviously a detailer.

Doesn't matter what you do, H-D's Vivid Black is the softest most miserable finish I've ever tried to maintain. After a 4-step machine polish and jeweling you'll impart swirls just wiping off the residue using the plushest, highest quality microfibers. Even when you get the finish polished perfectly and protected you almost get swirls by walking by it. Wipe it down with a QD and plush MF, you get marks. Dry with a plush waffle-weave microfiber, you get marks. I've got no idea why they used a super-soft clearcoat on a motorcycle, especially black. I've never had this problem with the metallics. Jet Black on 2007 BMWs is the worst, softest clearcoat in existance.... H-D's Vivid Black is a close second.

My advice is take care of it the best you can. Hand polish out the worst when necessary and ride the crap out of it.

TL

 

I jst recently went with Zaino's, I have been using meguiars's since I bought the bike. I see a huge difference in the products. I'm throwing away my meguires. here's a couple pics after 1 Zaino application.

 

Zaino NO questions asked. Been using it for years on black trucks and bikes. It costs more, there's a very good reason.

 

The MOST IMPORTANT step to any Last Step Product (LSP) is preparation before application.

Do you already have swirls and small scratches?
If so they need to be polished out FIRST!

I recently used the Meguiar's 105/205 to remove small scratches and swirls and that combo worked GREAT!

As far as the "best" wax that is personal.
You have two basic choices when it comes to paint protection: carnauba wax or synthetic paint sealant.

What to use Wax or Paint Sealant?

I personally like Z-2 for the longevity and the bright glass like shine.
With Z-2 the more coats the more shine. I can do 3 coats in one day.
I have talked to folks that have done 12, even up to 30 coats of Z-2.
If you do NOT polish out the swirls first, Z-2 will give you very bright swirls!
Don't ask me how I know...
Did I mention...Prep work is the key!

 

I have had the same problems with the Vivid Black on my 2005 Road King Classic.... Just a tip that has worked great for me is to use a SWIFFER DUSTER... I keep one in the bike all the time and a package in the shop... When you stop just give it a quick run over with the duster and get the grit off... I also give it a short detail with the detailer and a micro cloth... Back at the shop upon returning the bike goes on the lift... the Swiffer gets into all the tight areas to get the dust and grit off... Then all painted surfaces get detailed and then a complete waxing.... makes paint maintenance easier and less of a task... SERLY

 

Two thumbs up on M105, it actually finished better for me than 205. Under the halogens and dual Xenon lights I couldn't get rid of micromarring with 205 regardless of pad. I ended up having to work 85RD by rotary with a gray LC finishing pad for a long time to get rid of it. Vivid Black clearcoat is so miserably soft that even when I get it perfect a wipe with the plushest MF around and QD and it leaves marks.

I've got no idea why the MoCo would use a clearcoat like this. I guess H-D figures their bikes are mostly garage jewelry these days and don't actually get ridden.

TL

 

Swirl remover, or glaze is always best before wax. Google clearkote vanilla moose, best stuff and easy to use.

 

I'm usually one to favor correction vs trying to hide with glaze. But a filler is about the only thing it works on this soft CC. Meg's #7 works well as does DWG. Heard good things about Vanilla moose... gonna give it a look one of these days.

TL

 

Vanilla moose (by hand) or Red Moose (by machine) If you decide to give it a try tell 'em you want to make "pink" moose.
They will send you an empty bottle so you can mix the two. Pink moose is my personal favorite.