Is there ahard glossy clear coating I can have applied over my07 vivid black flstc, to prevent swirls and scratches in the future.I've readall I need to know about washing and detailing from this great forum.
I know black is difficult to maintain and Ihad originally the wrong washing technique creating swirls and scratches but I'm wondering ifa fine gritwet/dry paperto create a bondingfor a coating of clear perhaps with a special hardener added will fix the problem ofthis delicate surface. I would arrange for the job to be done professionally of course. I worryabout any reaction with the clears and paints Harley have applied. Any advice or previous experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

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Boot - I like you was really upset with the fine scratches and swirl marks in my Vivid Black paint on my 06 Fatty, i found a pretty easy solution. I bought some swirl remover and a polisher, worked great. I also bought some Mequiars color wax, I got black of course. I washed, use the swirl remover and wax on my bike satruday after a nearly 300 mile ride. On sunday took my bike to a ride in show, did not enter it but got a ton of compliments on how deep the black paint looked. Couple of guys were convinced it was not stock paint but I told them it was and it is. Perhaps try whatI did before removing your tins and trying to have them sprayed.

 

I use scratchX and NXT wax or Yellow wax.... haven't tried the color wax though I might do that next time. Either way I eliminate the scratches also.

 

Boot,

Black is the hardest colour to keep from scratching. The fine scratches you mention are a regular problem most people encounter. The lusturous paint job intially seen is achieved by a paint system called clear over base.

Simply put, COB is like a mirror in its construction, a coat or layer of clear glass covers and protects the silver surface beneath.

Your bike has a perfect colour coat that is achieved "off the gun" - in your case it is vivid black, where the mirror colour would be silver. A number of clear coats are then applied to this "off the gun" finish to act as the protective layers just like the glass on the mirror.

This COB masterpiece is then oven baked and usually requires no buffing or polishing upon completion as the COB application process is close to perfect.

The thickness of the COB paint layer is crucial to ensure that the paint and metal as bonded together is able to expand and contract at the same rate. If not, what will result is a paint condition called crows feet or just cracking - you may have seen this on old weathered cars that have thick layers of paint that are crazed and cracked. Simply, the paint is unable to move with the steel as it reacts to the ambient temperatures.

As a former repairer or "Bodyman" as I think you guys up there call them, we all have a chuckle when an enthusiast talks up the lovingly applied 8 layers of etching primer, 17 layers of undercoat/sealer/primer followed with 24 layers of rich meta-x-flake metalic colour topped with 36 layers of clear coat. This finish of course would have cracks like an overturned marzipan iced wedding cake on the Jerry Springer show if you ran a cold hose over it on a hot day! You would probably have no door gaps either!! But I digress....

What I'm leading into is be careful with these "protective clear coats" that are peddaled in the motor industry as they are ultimatelty adding layers of substandard paint to your originally finished black beauty.

Back to your scratches, you have to first check if you can polish them out, simply wash and clean the surface and with your fingernail gently run it over the scratch, if you can feel the scratch it is probably time to seek the help of a profession detailer. I would suggest going to a high end smash repairer or prestige car dealer and see who they use.

These guys are really good paint doctors, they are able to use powered polishing equipment to fix the problem at a fraction of the cost of repainting the area. You will also get some great tips from them about caring for your ride.

If it is not that deep then purchase some good quality scratch or swirl remover polish and follow the directions and use a clean applicator pad. Polishing is just a process of making smaller scratches each time until they are so fine that you can't see them.

The yellow wax as mentioned by a previous post is the best for protecting the paint surface. Meguires is a trusted brand that I have used for some time, most people use the products Dad used to use but the advances in paint technology and application techniques require a different approach now.

A word of advice - don't let any Fu@ker ever run their fingers across your dusty or muddy paint surface or write smart things like their name on it. This is simply just scratching the paint as these particles of dirt are just like sand paper on the paint. These toe rags must be removed from the food chain!

Wax will provide protection to the paint surface by absorbing these fine scratches. Try not to lean or allow anything to rub on the dirty or dusty surface either.

Try the meguires website as they have some really simple tips to help you. i.e. washing the ride always use clean water, clean buckets, clean sponges- two in fact - one for the paint and chrome and the other for the engine and wheels and start from the top and work down - never use a dropped sponge as it is now loaded with

 

Just ran my pocket knife clip across my vivd black paint on the tank of my softail deluxe. Left two half inch scratches on the tank. Would a professional paint shop be able to repair the dumb mistake? What should I ask and know before letting someone fix my stupid mistake / problem. Thanks.

 

It may buff-out but let the pro's look it first, get a second opinion if the price appears to high.

Check the price of a pre painted tank from HD (Chicago HD 20% off)
I know some guys who just replace the tins when scratched and sell the secondhand ones on ebay.

It is difficult and requires a good level of skill to spot refinish the tins to factory specs - they usually end up painting the whole surface.

Hope this helps.


Regards,

Scott.