Hey guys I have a 2006 XL. I take pride in my bike and love the way I've set it up. But everytime I stare at my engine I just feel like it's not as black as it should be. A trip to the dealer assured me it's a little discolored after staring and drooling over a new 48. So my question is, can I clean/polish with anything to get it looking new again. I believe I had read something on here about it but I cant find that post for the life of me. Thanks

 

Check out chemicalguys.com they sell some awesome cleaning products. They have a product called back to black that is for engine parts that might help you out. The only trick is them shipping to Alaska. When I checked when I first moved up here they didn't but it looks like that might have changed. If not their products are definitely worth having them shipped to a buddy in the lower 48 and then shipping it up.

Other than that I don't think harley to great care to use a really UV resistive paint on the motors so there will be some fade.

Good luck. Its good to see another alaska member!

 

Thanks for the fast response. I'll deff look them up and hope for the best in regards to shipping up here. Love this state. Just sucks can't ride year round

 

S100 makes a line of products for cleaning and maintaining a clean bike.
Engine brightener is one of them and works great. Seems to be a type of silicone product and brings a clean wet look to dark parts.

 

Some input from a guy that does old bikes....(I had an 06 Dyna too, currently run bike in sig that many people say looks brand new)...

Wash it and use a stiff long bristle brush to clean it up (blast it heavy with carb cleaner first, and then soap 'n hot water 'n a rag 'n brush)....and the engine brightener I prefer is a product called "Pig Spit". I also have cans of S100 in the garage cubbard I'll use if I'm out of Pig Spit..cuz tons of places have S100, and Pig Spit is harder to find. but if you can find it...better than S100.

 

+1 on Pig Spit.

 

"Pig Spit" IS SILICONE at four times the price!!!

Get thee to Pep Boys and buy yourself a can or two of CRS heavy duty silicone in the red and white can for around $3 a can or less and save yourself from getting ripped off big time.

=8^)

 

Yeah, I am up in Fairbanks so the riding season is even shorter. It is going to be a stretch to get past the breakin point before winter hits.

I checked after I posted and chemical guys have a lot of their products on amazon and if you have amazon prime its free shipping .

I don't have any experience with the other products recommend but if they work and you can find them great. I am a nut when it comes to car care products and when I tried the chemical guys stuff I was hooked. Just FYI this is the stuff professionals are using on high end domestics and exotics without a hefty price tag.

 

Pig spit is the ****!!!

 

It holds up a lot longer than just plain silicon. Price depends on where you buy it, if you shop at the stealership yeah it's probably wicked pricey. But shop at local Indy shops or some online resources, it's about 40% less expensive than S100...and in my experience works better.

The fact that Pig Spit lasts through quite a few "riding in the rain" and "washings"....a single 9oz can that costs me 10 bucks lasts me often two years. Even if it only lasted me 1 year....still pretty cheap.

S100 seems to barely last for 2x washings...sometimes feel I have to reapply it after 1x wash. About 9 bucks for a little 4.5oz can. I'd need 2x cans per year. 20 bucks a year. (although I do like it's applicator straw better than Pig Spits nozzle)
...and I'm not someone that washes the bike a lot, maybe once a month...and I'm a nearly full time rider for ~8 months of the year.