Paint Scratch
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 173
From: Simi Valley, CA
...Once you use a microfibre cloth toss it in the rag bin for spills and crap like that...
They can and will pick up the wrong stuff and as you found out will scratch your paint. Even if you wash them things get stuck in the fibres that you can't see until it's tooooooo late.
JMHO
They can and will pick up the wrong stuff and as you found out will scratch your paint. Even if you wash them things get stuck in the fibres that you can't see until it's tooooooo late.
JMHO
And that to is just my opinion for whatever it's worth.
I know this opinion is contrary to what a lot of you believe, but there were sure enough a lot of nice paint jobs around well before the advent of microfiber cloths. How did they do it then? Cotton!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,373
Likes: 4
I'll even go a step further... I rarely use microfiber cloths. I prefer cotton terry cloths and diapers or t-shirts in most cases. Microfibers do have there place, but they are not the best all around cleaning/polishing cloths and are definitely the most risky as the OP just found out.
And that to is just my opinion for whatever it's worth.
I know this opinion is contrary to what a lot of you believe, but there were sure enough a lot of nice paint jobs around well before the advent of microfiber cloths. How did they do it then? Cotton!
And that to is just my opinion for whatever it's worth.
I know this opinion is contrary to what a lot of you believe, but there were sure enough a lot of nice paint jobs around well before the advent of microfiber cloths. How did they do it then? Cotton!
SGV here. Has been nice riding lately.
Last edited by BBStacker; Nov 8, 2011 at 10:11 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 415
Likes: 28
From: Seattle, WA
I have a black bike too. I have tried many different brands of polish and find that the HD brand Scratch and Swirl Remover works the best. I use it with a microfiber in a back and forth motion.
Zaino polish works good too, but I have noticed it leaves a slight haze. The HD brand leaves my tank and fairing looking like glass, even under flouresent lighting.
Just my experience. Good luck!
Zaino polish works good too, but I have noticed it leaves a slight haze. The HD brand leaves my tank and fairing looking like glass, even under flouresent lighting.
Just my experience. Good luck!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 173
From: Simi Valley, CA
I have a black bike too. I have tried many different brands of polish and find that the HD brand Scratch and Swirl Remover works the best. I use it with a microfiber in a back and forth motion.
Zaino polish works good too, but I have noticed it leaves a slight haze. The HD brand leaves my tank and fairing looking like glass, even under flouresent lighting.
Just my experience. Good luck!
Zaino polish works good too, but I have noticed it leaves a slight haze. The HD brand leaves my tank and fairing looking like glass, even under flouresent lighting.
Just my experience. Good luck!
I've painted hundreds of cars in my garage (which was set-up as a spray booth at the time) over the years, ranging from the days of acrylic lacquers to the early years of urethanes. I have both flourescent, and incadescent lighting installed. The flourescents are great for doing the work... But nothing beats the incadescents for admiring the work.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 658
Likes: 23
From: South Florida
I made the mistake of using one of those gas station window squeegees to clean the bugs of my fairing. 4" scratch right down the middle of the fairing. Picked up some Meguiar's scratch remover and the scratch disappeared. Good stuff.
DJK
DJK
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 191
Likes: 2
From: At Work
I also try to remember that I am not polishing out the scratch. I am rounding the edge of the scratch or taking the rest of the clear coat down to the scratch level. The edge or wall of the scratch is what is reflected back at your eye. Think upside down triangle.
There is a limit to how much paint can be removed. Some scratches have to be lived with. Sometimes I over think this stuff.
There is a limit to how much paint can be removed. Some scratches have to be lived with. Sometimes I over think this stuff.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 997
Likes: 3
From: Charlotte, N.C.
I use 3M swirl mark remover then use Glare http://www.glare.com/product_detail.php?id=10 on top of that it removes all scratches paint looks like new. I use this with a small 3" gray 3m buffing pad that I run with my hand drill. Glare had a swirl mark remover called spider haven't tired it but will their stuff works wonders.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,807
Likes: 7
I have a porter cable buffer with a 3" backing plate and I've used it one bikes with 100% success. Its a random orbital buffer, so it doesn't spin in one direction, so it won't burn the pain. I use Menzerna polished and compounds and I have been AMAZED with the results.
