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Current FLT project has my head spinning, started out with a nice safe look clear coat black (lower pic) with the tank, front and rear fenders coming out perfect. Had the tank sanded down setting on the bike for decal install before 2nd clear coat, installed the decals, my wife walked in looking at the tank saying can you keep the satin look, responded I can but don't know how it will look.
After thinking about it plus my wife has never been wrong on paint project colors, pin stripe colors and designs, gave in to a large gamble of direction. Had a gallon of urethane clear mat finish left over from previous repairs, started thinking it was meant to be, painted with clear mat (mid/top pics) and came to terms my wife has a eye for color plus a vision of a finished product.
Last edited by 1997bagger; Jan 30, 2021 at 10:13 PM.
The first two pics look fanfkntastic to me! I love the denim quality look. The last picture seems to be low to mid gloss sheen. It looks fine but the satin is striking to mine eyes.
I am anti chrome. I like simple and subdued things.
Denium looks clean but from what I understand it is hard to keep looking nice.
Yeah, wanted a vintage look and looks like the denim will work, have brushed stainless mufflers for it and figured out wd40 using a red scotch brite pad on the exhaust heat shields matched the mufflers with a brushed look. Have some antique gray paint to put some lower color on the bags and will clear mat it, can't do much with that beautiful shark nose, will remain single denim black with the gray Tour Glide decals.
Guys at work with Harley's have seen the perfect black painted fenders and said those look too good to repaint but also said the denim might work. Long time retired bodyman works in another building part time, asked him his outlook, simply said: you building a 100 point restoration bike or individualism, also clear mat over the decals to see what happens, he made the decision easier. Our Harley's are individualism
Did a little research on cleaning needing to use a good window cleaner, retired bodyman said clear mat is more forgiving
Last edited by 1997bagger; Jan 31, 2021 at 07:58 AM.
How does it wear? Does the matte-ness end up getting polished smooth on the surfaces (sides of the tank?) that get a lot of continuous contact?
First of all thanks to the Evo section for backing a stressful decision, when you have a view in your head and start flying by the seat of your paints can waste a bunch of time.
Durability? if you rub or polish on matte it will start turning to gloss, on school buses with the matte finish in the center of the hood is prone to get mechanics paw prints on the clear matte finish, we just use brake clean to wipe the grease off and remains dull, no harm. I use brake clean on any paint known to be cured, it will take off grease, over spray, rust trails and even clean grease from matte and not harm cured paint.
You can also scuff a shiney spot with a scotch brite pad and clean with window cleaner blending it back in. Harley has a specific cleaner for matte they sell designed to clean matte, I'll most like buy some good window cleaner (white can blue letters) don't know the name and use that. Worst comes to worst, just pull the panel and shoot another coat of matte on it and back to new, it's just like spraying primer, dry to the touch in 1 hour but still a urethane finish
The old school guy who lives in my head says to go with the shiny pic #3. That's the way it's been for decades, by god, and nobody should ever deviate.
The 18-yr-old kid who also lives in my head says it should be matte finish all the way. Screw that old school sh*t.
So it's a draw.
Like Stiggy, I have to listen to my wife's advice regarding style, fashion, and color combos or I end up looking like a complete idiot.
So you're dong the smart thing by listening to your wife.
You have mad painting skills. Either paint style will be fantastic and I'm very much looking forward to seeing a pic of the finished bike.
Like has been stated, chrome was always my go-to finish in my younger days, but with the wet & dry paints they have today the choices are endless.
I dig on the satin black finish.
As a matter of fact, all parts I'm putting on my Softail are gonna be black.
Your wife does have a good eye.
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Gamble
