paint lacking durability
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
From: Central New Jersey
paint lacking durability
Anyone else feel like the paint the factory lacks durability? My bike is black so i know it shows everything but damn, its only a year old and the front fender is already scratched just from road wear. I dont know if i drove through something or what but it looks like someone took a piece of sand paper and made one quick swipe down the top "peak" of the fender. The rear has a couple scratches too.
Am i the only one having trouble keeping there paint shiny and new?
Am i the only one having trouble keeping there paint shiny and new?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,780
Likes: 69
From: Al Bu Ker Key, New Mexico
I have a 1999 FXR2 with 65K miles on it. The paint looks like brand new thanks to S100.
My 2010 StreetGlide with 35K miles has paint that has suffered the sun of the southwest and the paint looks brand new. If you ride them you gotta expect some road rash.
My 2010 StreetGlide with 35K miles has paint that has suffered the sun of the southwest and the paint looks brand new. If you ride them you gotta expect some road rash.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,653
Likes: 18
From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
I'm not sure a clay bar will help much at this point. They are used to remove contaminates from the surface of the paint. But, a good scratch and swirl remover, followed by a good coating of quality wax will do wonders. Chances are, the scratches you see are in the clear coat only. A little care and elbow grease should shine it right up.
And no, it's not a lack of quality paint by HD. They all do this. And, most black vehicles look like they came straight from the orange grove with so much peel in them. The clay bar will help with that.
And no, it's not a lack of quality paint by HD. They all do this. And, most black vehicles look like they came straight from the orange grove with so much peel in them. The clay bar will help with that.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,391
Likes: 2
Strip it down, paint it with Rhino Liner and Voila, no more scratches!
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,133
Likes: 125
From: Japan
Nope. Actually I feel the opposite. HD has some of the best quality paint jobs out there. With the exception of some light swirling, mine still looks like new and it's 5 years old. I've never even waxed it. I just apply some H-D gloss every once in awhile...