What is the best stuff for removing small scratches and swirl marks in black paint.?

 

Harley Vivid Black is one of the softest, most miserable finishes I've ever polished. A really mild polish doesn't remove the swirls and something stouter leaves micro marring. Even when you get the finish perfect walking by or breathing on it seems to leave marks!

The key to any type of detailing is materials and technique. Soft, plush microfiber towels are essential.... not the crap you find at Sam's Club or Costco, but the more expensive stuff that professional detailers buy online. There are some over-the-counter products for those that aren't Obsessive Compulsive Detailers though....

Target has a line of MF towels with the Vroom label, usually come in orange or gray in bundles of 8 or so. Their Vroom MF drying towel is one of the best I've ever used and priced right compared to what the pro suppliers charge. Most swirls are self-inflicted by using substandard wash and dry materials. Prevention is a good thing. Pep Boys has some decent, moderately priced microfiber towels as well. Use MF to wash and keep your mitt/towel/whatever CLEAN! If you drop it, throw it in the wash-bag. Save your crap rags for the wheels and around the engine or anywhere you may pick up grease or grit.

For the casual detailer there's some over-the-counter polishes and waxes that are really pretty good. Many prefer Meguiar's and their stuff is available in most auto parts places, Wal Mart, K-Mart etc. Swirl X is a mild polish that removes minor swirls and scratches and finishes well. Their Ultimate Compound will remove deeper imperfections without leaving the marring that many stronger compounds leave.

Believe it or not your H-D dealer carries a pretty nice line of products as well. Much of the S100 stuff is relabeled P21S products that are highly regarded by the pros. The S100 is not only comparable but it's a lot cheaper carrying the S100 label. H-D's Swirl & Scratch remover in the black tube is a finer polish. It takes some serious rubbing to remove some imperfections. Regardless of what you polish with, you need SOFT microfiber or foam applicators. And they've gotta be clean or you'll just put marks back in the finish.

"Removing" a scratch is a misnomer, your not "removing" the scratch, you're abrading the surrounding area to the same level as the base of the swirls or scratches for uniformity and reflectivity. In doing so you remove a small bit of clear coat. Not an issue working by hand. Put a buffer in untrained, inexperienced hands on thin clearcoat and you're asking for trouble.

After polishing you need to use a Last Stage Protection both to seal the finish and to maximize shine and reflectivity. Some prefer waxes, some prefer sealants. Some seal then wax over the top. Doesn't really matter for the casual detailer, the main thing is protecting the finish. Personally, I use a sealant on polished aluminum and carnauba wax on the painted surfaces... just a personal preferance. Meguiar's NXT Tech Wax 2.0 is actually a synthetic sealant and works well with polished metal or paint. Looks great, lasts long, moderately priced. Their #26 Carnauba High Tech Yellow Wax is a superb finishing wax.

As mentioned, especially with black, prevention is a good thing. Don't EVER wipe down a dry black surface. A lubricant is essential to both lift dust and light dirt away from the finish as well as providing shine after the wipedown. I'm starting to sound like a Meguair's cheerleader here but their Ultimate Quick Detailer spray is the best I've ever used for a wipedown. And their Ultimate Quik Wax spray leaves an astounding shine and good protection for those quick spiff-up jobs between detailed cleanings.

Couple of rules of thumb, polishes and some waxes stick like glue to black... espeically rubber surfaces. It can be removed using a 50/50 isopropyl alcohol mix or WD 40. Avoid it by masking off rubber or black parts with painter's tape. Wash microfibers separately from everything else as they pick up and retain anything floating by and it's tough to remove. Air dry or in the dryer using light or no heat and they come out like new. Wash out micrifber or foam applicator pads by hand using a mild soap, wring out and let air dry. When they start to dry out and loose softness over time toss 'em or keep 'em for cruddy work and buy some fresh.

Black... especially H-D Vivid Black isn't a color, it's more like a part time job. Many won't go to the trouble to keep it looking sharp, their bike gets washed when they get caught in the rain. I bought black for a reason and it's worthwhile to me to keep it sharp. For those not inclined they probably should've bought another color if swirls and light scratches bother them.

Your mileage may vary....

TL <--- Obsessive Compulsive Detailer

 

Thanks man, really appreciate that response. Thanks for all the details

 

3M swirl mark remover
3M hand Glaze

Wax of your choice

 

any advice for minor scratches/nics in black denim paint?

 

You're screwed. Any attempts to polish denim or flat finishes will result in a shiney spot when you abrade the finish to remove the imperfections. You can't even use a glaze filler because it'll leave a white residue on the finish and look worse than before.

I recall the first time I saw a denim finish when they introduced it I thought to myself, "man, that looks nice. Sure is gonna look like crap over time becaiuse there's nothing you can do with it". :::::shrug:::::

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news,

TL

 

nah, i knew that.. i love the look..will turn into my Rat Rod in a few years until i get it re painted. lol.