Black bikes
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 958
Likes: 1
From: Birch Bay, WA
Black bikes
Now that I am shopping for my new bike (RGU or EGU LTD) I have noticed the used black bikes in the dealerships. Most of them look like crap. Paint swirls are terrible. I know black bikes can be difficult to keep nice and the question is subjective but how are you guys keeping your black looking good?
spiz
spiz
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,824
Likes: 603
From: Myrtle Beach SC
Black is hard to keep nice, I've had my share. One of the biggest mistakes you can make with black is "wiping it off" dry. Some guys take a dry rag to wipe off the bike, it simply grinds the dirt into the clear coat. I made a point of using a California duster to wipe it off or used a damp cloth and lifted the dirt off.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
I always use a microfiber cloth, carnuba based wax, and avoided any shammy usage. Once the swirles are in the clear coat, you can have them professionally "buffed", but the finish will never be the same. A bike in black is a awsome color to go with, but it's high maintence. Good luck.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,508
Likes: 169
From: WPB, FL
Black By Choice!
I bought black by choice the last time around. While it is a "pain" to keep clean, IMHO, it is the best looking color Harley has. Nothing quite like the looks of a clean shiny chrome and black bike. All I do is use a mild mix of car wash to wash it first, then Dupont #7 polish (old reliable) to shine it up afterwards. I'll use the polish on anything painted or chromed. Once a year or so I'll Simonize the painted surfaces (REAL wax). The only headache I run across is keeping the darn wheels clean from brake dust. A pressure washer works great on them. Just gotta make sure you don't spray down anything else accidentally.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,542
Likes: 161
From: Booming metropolis
Every color has the scratches and.swirls it just shows more in black. Take a look at any bike you parked outside and look closely and they will be there. Especially around the tank where pants and jackets hit often