Vivid Black
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,187
Likes: 11
From: Ladera Ranch, CA
Black is DEFINITELY a commitment!! Meguires and a California Duster after a ride and cover it in the garage and it stays pretty clean....'cept for the boot scuffs that the GF leaves on the saddlebag lids...but a good coat of wax takes them right off. I think I'm going to jump on the "Lemon Pledge" train here soon and see how it works. 
Banned competing forum owner
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 349
Likes: 0
From: G-Vegas NC
I am pretty sure the Denim colors use a flattening agent in their clear coats. Or maybe some type of matte clear. I am sure they do not simply lay down a base and call it good.
My 2 cents
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,832
Likes: 37
From: Rockland County, NY
Lots of misinformation here.
All paints are clear coated, including Denims.
Black doesn't get any more swirls than any other color.
The contrast of the black makes them easier to see.
Those of you who fret over your bike being less than immaculate probably spend as much time on your bikes as the owners of black ones do.
Black is always going to be the easiest color to repaint. Ever price the HD proprietary colors, especially the SE ones?
Black will always be easy to resell.
Black and chrome are the ultimate contrast.
I can't see the swirl marks from 10 feet away.
I bought my bike to ride it, not to worry about it getting dusty.
My riding buddy still has mud on his black Dyna from Laconia 2009...
Thanks for listening...
All paints are clear coated, including Denims.
Black doesn't get any more swirls than any other color.
The contrast of the black makes them easier to see.
Those of you who fret over your bike being less than immaculate probably spend as much time on your bikes as the owners of black ones do.
Black is always going to be the easiest color to repaint. Ever price the HD proprietary colors, especially the SE ones?
Black will always be easy to resell.
Black and chrome are the ultimate contrast.
I can't see the swirl marks from 10 feet away.
I bought my bike to ride it, not to worry about it getting dusty.
My riding buddy still has mud on his black Dyna from Laconia 2009...
Thanks for listening...
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,398
Likes: 1
From: Mississippi
Black and chrome are beautiful but I've owned a couple of them and never will again. Its not that its so hard to keep clean, but the swirl marks drove me crazy.
And for you guys that think black is the fastest color...which one of you fools want to be the first to be proven wrong
And for you guys that think black is the fastest color...which one of you fools want to be the first to be proven wrong
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,011
Likes: 143
From: Albuquerque New Mexico
I stand corrected about the denims clearcoat,,, BUT, im not the one who said vivid black has no clearcoat, that was the point I wanted to make, and then I had to bring up my lack of knowledge about the denim paint......
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 954
Likes: 3
From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
I just had my front fender "de-riveted". The guy that done it told me he used some kind of clearcoat that was harder than what he had used in the past. He said it cost a little more but was well worth it. I think he was right!! Not only did I get rid of the rivets and the crummy, orange peel paint on both sides of the front fender ("thanks Harley"), I got a surface that I can wipe, clean, spray, polish, whatever, and still no swirl or surface scratches. I'm thinking about taking my fairing to him and have it repainted just so I can get the new clearcoat on it!
Additionally, I've tried just about everything mentioned in all the replys concerning waxing, polishing, detailing, etc. and the best combination I've found for keeping the swirls and surface scratches under control is Megueirs NXT Tech Wax 2.0 and Purple Slice spray detailer. My bike is gonna be 3 years old on June 28 and it never looked better!!
Additionally, I've tried just about everything mentioned in all the replys concerning waxing, polishing, detailing, etc. and the best combination I've found for keeping the swirls and surface scratches under control is Megueirs NXT Tech Wax 2.0 and Purple Slice spray detailer. My bike is gonna be 3 years old on June 28 and it never looked better!!
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,379
Likes: 226
the first 3 HD's I had were all stripped down, rebuilt and painted black. the new SG is black, my Jeep Rubicon is black, my old F150 was black. I've owned more black vehicals than any other color. Don't care about keeping them spotless, they all look great with road grime or all shined up and I gave up worrying about swirl marks a long time ago. Reccomend you just ride it and enjoy it.
As old Henry Ford said - you can have any color you want as long it is black !
As old Henry Ford said - you can have any color you want as long it is black !
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
From: South Jersey
like many others, i have black caddy, black jeep, black harley...have had mostly black vehicles over the years.
I find the Vivid Black to be the worst to care for. I think the clear they use is a lot softer than what could be used. Worse than my jeep even.
I find the Vivid Black to be the worst to care for. I think the clear they use is a lot softer than what could be used. Worse than my jeep even.