Harley Black Paint
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From: Dixie
Harley Black Paint
Posted this in the wrong forum last week...taking another shot here:
]I have to wonder if anyone knows why it is that the MoCo uses both Vivid Black and Gloss Black paint...on the same bike? If you don't know, do you have a theory?
The Vivid Black used for fenders and other parts has something of a brown cast to it, where the Gloss Black used for the frame and other components appears to be a true Black.
Do they intentionally have different compositions that dictate specific applications...ie, the frame, etc. is dipped where the fenders, air filter cover, etc. are best sprayed?
It bothers me...not enough to re-paint the Vivid Black components...just enough to grouse about it. You can make out some differences in the picture below.
TIA
]I have to wonder if anyone knows why it is that the MoCo uses both Vivid Black and Gloss Black paint...on the same bike? If you don't know, do you have a theory?
The Vivid Black used for fenders and other parts has something of a brown cast to it, where the Gloss Black used for the frame and other components appears to be a true Black.
Do they intentionally have different compositions that dictate specific applications...ie, the frame, etc. is dipped where the fenders, air filter cover, etc. are best sprayed?
It bothers me...not enough to re-paint the Vivid Black components...just enough to grouse about it. You can make out some differences in the picture below.
TIA
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From: Dixie
The stock bike components should all be the gloss black, IMHO...the Vivid Black isn't very "vivid" at all.
My pushrod tubes and lifter covers are gloss black too...maybe that serves to further exaggerate the air filter cover...but the fenders and even the fork lowers clash badly with the frame.
I see there is also a paint and powder coat section on the forum...guess I should have posted that there. Oh well...
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From: High Point, NC.
I mean I'll take a guess. Doesnt the vivid black has some flake in it? or at least a clear coat on top. So why would they waste money on a fancy multi step paint job just for the frame when they can powder coat the frame in a close to color black.
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From: Dixie
I'd rather it was all Gloss Black though...
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From: Mid Con USA
Powdercoating frames results in a durable finish. Much tougher than the painted tins. You can't match these two processes exactly.
Last edited by Jed Clampett; Mar 29, 2024 at 07:39 AM.
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From: Dixie
Is it simply the process itself though, or would the two compounds have different chemical properties as well in order to facilitate the processes?
Still struggling with why they have two different color designations...two different tints...Vivid Black and Gloss Black. Modern paint methods allow for near-exact or exact matches.
You'd think they could attempt to better match the paint tint to the powder coat tint, though they do appear to have a different sheen as well as the tint. I'm guessing this really all comes down to cost...
Sorry for
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From: College Station, TX
Powder coating is different than painting and not as blendable to match paint. Some people say black paint is black paint, but it's not that simple. And, I suspect HD marketing didn't think gloss black is as appealing as Vivid black for a paint color for the sheet metal parts, fenders, tank and fairing etc.
Paul
Paul
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From: Dixie
Powder coating is different than painting and not as blendable to match paint. Some people say black paint is black paint, but it's not that simple. And, I suspect HD marketing didn't think gloss black is as appealing as Vivid black for a paint color for the sheet metal parts, fenders, tank and fairing etc.
Paul
Paul
Thanks again, Paul...
