Question For Those With Black Denim Paint....
I have Denim Black and I have a love hate relationship with it after about 18 months.
Clean, it looks just bitchin' but it gets dirty in about 20 seconds and dust shows. Scratches are. Royal PITA since you can't repair them, period. Unlike gloss paint blending takes a real special painter. I have seen touch ups and well it looks just like that, a touch up. Denim is for someone who wants that rough in look. Want to add options that are color matched? It will be really pricey.
Want to add flames, save up some bucks because you can't just wet sand and spray over than clear coat.
Pros: Super easy to clean, simply wipe down with either glass cleaner, Harley Denim cleaner, or any detail spray all using a micro towel.
Bob
Clean, it looks just bitchin' but it gets dirty in about 20 seconds and dust shows. Scratches are. Royal PITA since you can't repair them, period. Unlike gloss paint blending takes a real special painter. I have seen touch ups and well it looks just like that, a touch up. Denim is for someone who wants that rough in look. Want to add options that are color matched? It will be really pricey.
Want to add flames, save up some bucks because you can't just wet sand and spray over than clear coat.
Pros: Super easy to clean, simply wipe down with either glass cleaner, Harley Denim cleaner, or any detail spray all using a micro towel.
Bob
I had a vivid black custom sportster and bought my 2011 Wide Glide in Vivid Black. After 6 months I couldn't stand the small "swirls" that show up in the glossy paint no matter how good you treat it. I am one of the most meticulous people when it comes to my bike but the up keep for vivid black just became exhausting. I had my bike painted dark matte grey and have loved it ever since. No waxing, no worrying about sun beating off it so bad you can cook an egg, etc. At the end of the day, I personally think Denim is easier and it fits the look I want.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,584
Likes: 918
From: coast to coast
I've had my black Denim for 4 years. 25,000 miles and plenty of rain...not to mention parked outside a lot...under trees...sap...bird ****..squirrels eating oranges, etc. all it takes is a bucket of warm water and a sponge to look showroom new. Absolutely the most maintenance free paint ever. Zero waxing!
About 2 years ago I dropped my keys on the tank. Nice deep scratch...damn..swear i could see metal...but about a few months later it was gone. Invisible. Like the paint just smoothed over with a few washes...no rust. No issues. No marks. Just gone.
If you like the Denim look I say go for it. If you prefer vivid, well you will wish you had if you don't so get the right paint for you. Just don't fear the Denim.
Edit. I've had no issues color matching paint. I rattle canned my strut covers, turn signals, headlight bucket, and shocks and everyone thinks they are powder. Perfect match for $6.95
About 2 years ago I dropped my keys on the tank. Nice deep scratch...damn..swear i could see metal...but about a few months later it was gone. Invisible. Like the paint just smoothed over with a few washes...no rust. No issues. No marks. Just gone.
If you like the Denim look I say go for it. If you prefer vivid, well you will wish you had if you don't so get the right paint for you. Just don't fear the Denim.
Edit. I've had no issues color matching paint. I rattle canned my strut covers, turn signals, headlight bucket, and shocks and everyone thinks they are powder. Perfect match for $6.95
Last edited by Thingfish; Jul 12, 2013 at 12:53 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,252
Likes: 7
From: SLC, UT
I too have experienced this strange phenomenon.... scraped a wrench across it while messing with my air cleaner, it left a noticeable mark. After a few washes it too disappeared. Almost like it just fades into the black...
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,926
Likes: 56
From: Knoxville, TN
My last two Harleys were vivid black. My latest is denim black. I have had it since October and 4700 all weather miles later, I am more happy with denim than I ever was with vivid. Your results may vary.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 159
Likes: 3
From: Upper Bucks County, PA
Ok. I don't have a denim yet, but I absolutely love the look. I have had most of the typical conserns like how to keep clean what if I scratch it etc... I talked to a guy last fall and he said that his uncle was a body shop guy and his advise was if u get marks in your denim paint just use a brown paper bag to wipe it down and poof good as new. The only thing I can say is his bike looked like it just came off the showroom floor other than the fact that it had like 18000 miles on it. Just my $.02 and I can't wait to finish my 04 FXST with denim black tins.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,820
Likes: 4
From: Somewhere In NY
Finally got a chance to test ride the two bikes I was interested in, Fat Bob and Street Bob. Decided I like the feel of the Street Bob. The dealer has one 2013 left in black denim, 96" motor, and fwd controls. They are running a promotion to get the 2013's off the floor before the 2014's come in. Out the door for MSRP. Sounds like a decent deal to me.
If I had a choice I would go with the vivid black. The sales guy told me straight up that he has seen bikes come in with discoloration due to using the wrong products on the paint. He also told me that if you get a decent scratch, there's no means of buffing it out like a regular clear coat paint job. He then added on that it's pretty rugged and he doesn't foresee me having any issues.... So, for those with black denim paint, have you had any issues with washing, polishing, discoloration, or scratches?
Thanks.
If I had a choice I would go with the vivid black. The sales guy told me straight up that he has seen bikes come in with discoloration due to using the wrong products on the paint. He also told me that if you get a decent scratch, there's no means of buffing it out like a regular clear coat paint job. He then added on that it's pretty rugged and he doesn't foresee me having any issues.... So, for those with black denim paint, have you had any issues with washing, polishing, discoloration, or scratches?
Thanks.
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 646
Likes: 16
From: South FL
No. There were no vivid black Fat Bobs.
Guy just gave me his opinion on black denim paint.
Guy just gave me his opinion on black denim paint.
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