Powdercoat & Paint A place to discuss everything about powder coat and paint for your Harley.

Just bought a 2012 Denim Black Street Glide

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 17, 2011 | 05:48 PM
  #1  
maintainin's Avatar
maintainin
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 98
Likes: 1
From: Fort Meade, SD
Default Just bought a 2012 Denim Black Street Glide

Just picked her up yesterday. I've gotten the rundown from the dealer and reading on what to use and how to clean the paint. One thing that popped into my head a few minutes ago is how do you clean the ton of bug *** thats going to collect on the front of this thing in the summer? Its one thing to wash off the usual dirt and dust. Its another thing trying to get off a pound of grasshopper guts when you're told you really shouldn't be scrubbing or rubbing on this paint. So how do you go about doing that? I'm assuming the usual bug and tar removers are probably a no go. Can you use simple green on this paint?
 
Reply
Old Dec 17, 2011 | 07:15 PM
  #2  
bgdv1's Avatar
bgdv1
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 867
Likes: 224
From: Pa
Default

NO !!! windex or a foamy aerosol window cleaner only, or hot soapy water thats it . put 6200 miles on my bike this year and trust me lots of bug guts. kept a can of window/glass cleaner wrapped up in a towel in the bottom of the saddle bag and when we went on longer rides or weekenders always had my cleaning supplies for a quick clean. the paint isnt as fragile as someone has lead you to believe. ive only washed my bike with soap & water 2 times this year and trust me you'd never be able to tell. my bike gets cleaned after every time it leaves the garage wether for 10 miles or 300 miles. just dont ever wax it !!
 
Attached Thumbnails Just bought a 2012 Denim Black Street Glide-dsc02644800x600.jpg  
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2011 | 11:43 AM
  #3  
MXerwithaBob's Avatar
MXerwithaBob
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 479
Likes: 1
From: Oregon
Default

I use simple green all the time on the paint when I hose it down, I use the concentrated stuff and I don't dilute it, works great to get engine cases clean too. for light washing I just use windex and a soft cloth.
 
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2011 | 06:12 PM
  #4  
heybaylor's Avatar
heybaylor
Stellar HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,594
Likes: 178
From: east texas
Default

I would not ride it ,after all it is perfect..why screw it up ??
pretty soon it wont look like new
 
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2011 | 09:19 AM
  #5  
maintainin's Avatar
maintainin
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 98
Likes: 1
From: Fort Meade, SD
Default

Thanks for the replies. Minus the sarcasm.
 
Reply
Old May 22, 2012 | 05:50 PM
  #6  
Street_Glide_2012's Avatar
Street_Glide_2012
Stage IV
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Brockton, MA.
Default Bug guts on Denim paint

I just bought a 2012 Street Glide in Denim black also. The salesman gave me a great tip. A soft washcloth soaked in warm / hot water wipes them right off. I recently tried it on a trip of a little over 200 miles and it worked perfectly!
 
Reply
Old Jul 5, 2012 | 11:49 AM
  #7  
Trainwreck43's Avatar
Trainwreck43
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 146
Likes: 9
From: 'Merica
Default

Had the exact same question for my 2012 Fat Bob. Thanks for the info!
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
anubisss
Detailing
6
May 10, 2026 08:51 AM
dontdropit
Touring Models
18
Jan 22, 2019 12:12 PM
jerry98b
Powdercoat & Paint
12
Dec 10, 2015 09:55 PM
cash64
Touring Models
14
Sep 12, 2014 06:34 PM
anubisss
Detailing
8
Nov 30, 2006 12:38 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:39 PM.

story-0
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-4
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-5
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE