Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: krsron on April 11, 2012, 05:50:28 PM
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Any tricks/methods for keeping a black bike looking good. I have been very careful not to put scratches on my bodywork, softest paint I have ever dealt with. I have still managed to have swirl marks in the paint. Any ideas out there. Thanks,
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Paint it Neutron Silverdammit ;)
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+1
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knew that was coming, I never owned a black bike, thought I would give it a try.
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Any tricks/methods for keeping a black bike looking good. I have been very careful not to put scratches on my bodywork, softest paint I have ever dealt with. I have still managed to have swirl marks in the paint. Any ideas out there. Thanks,
Aside from painting it silver :0 ...
Wash it carefully and keep polish on it. Then try to keep it covered. That is about all you can do. Gloss black shows just about everything- every speck of dust or pollen, every scratch and nick, and every swirl. Black looks really GREAT when it is clean.... which is about the 10 minutes following a proper wash/dry.
Your swirls are probably from improper washing- which requires first thoroughly blasting the bike with water before washing (sometimes more than once), then using very light pressure with microfiber washing mitt/towel in proper solution with frequent rewetting. It can also be caused by wiping the bike with anything when it is not clean.
The swirls are very tiny scratches that come from debris being dragged along with wiping. Sometimes a good polish will hide that. I use Mother's Synwax on my vehicles. After treatment, only wash the vehicle with something designed to not strip polish, like Blue Coral Wash n' Wax. NEVER use dish detergent, EXCEPT when preparing to polish right after.
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I've never washed mine with a hose except for the wheels. I just clean the paint with pledge and a clean micro-fiber towel, it is clean most of the time but the collection of dust or pollen can be wiped off in a few minutes with a soft cloth. I love the black and yes it is faster!!!!
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I use a damp (with just tap water) micro-fiber towell to clean mine, haven't used any chemicals or cleaners at all on her since I bought new a year and a half ago... I don't have any excessive swirl marks on my black Connie at all.
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/shdwdeqw.jpg)
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Having owned 2 black bikes prior, I can guarantee you that there's absolutely nothing you can do to keep the bike looking showroom perfect. Wash and wax it frequently and try no to obsess over small scratches and imperfections. Motorcycles are susceptible to scratches and black paint shows EVERY imperfection. Every once in a while you might consider polishing the bike to remove the swirl marks and scratches, but don't over do it. Polishing removes a small amount of clear coat and Kawasaki applied the least amount of clear coat possible...
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I use a damp (with just tap water) micro-fiber towell to clean mine, haven't used any chemicals or cleaners at all on her since I bought new a year and a half ago... I don't have any excessive swirl marks on my black Connie at all.
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/shdwdeqw.jpg)
Or do what ZG does. Don't ride it, just farkle it... :)
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60 grit sandpaper?
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Or do what ZG does. Don't ride it, just farkle it... :)
:rotflmao:
You live in the PNW too bro, when it rains... farkle!! ;D
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:rotflmao:
You live in the PNW too bro, when it rains... farkle!! ;D
Or, be like the Lone Ranger, High yo Silver away!!!
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:rotflmao:
You live in the PNW too bro, when it rains... farkle!! ;D
Yeah, I know. I think mine actually has less miles on it than yours. :)
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Turtle-wax makes a product called "scratch-off" that is a very mild abrasive and will polish out minor blemishes. Use it, then polish.
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Yeah, I know. I think mine actually has less miles on it than yours. :)
:rotflmao: ;D ;D ;D
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Yeah, I know. I think mine actually has less miles on it than yours. :)
http://www.aerostich.com/aerostich-suits (http://www.aerostich.com/aerostich-suits) ;D
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Having owned 2 black bikes prior, I can guarantee you that there's absolutely nothing you can do to keep the bike looking showroom perfect. Wash and wax it frequently and try no to obsess over small scratches and imperfections. Motorcycles are susceptible to scratches and black paint shows EVERY imperfection. Every once in a while you might consider polishing the bike to remove the swirl marks and scratches, but don't over do it. Polishing removes a small amount of clear coat and Kawasaki applied the least amount of clear coat possible...
very tru. went trough the clear coat trying to remove some scratch. But it was using a flex polisher machine.
I got myself a complete kit for my midnight blue truck including a less punishing Proctor Cable polisher. Using the right pad, polish and technic, you ll probably get the paint the way you want but it s not a car quality paint job.
remember the you need to seal the paint after polishing with a scealant and/or wax.
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I guess as long as it looks good from 10 feet away I will be happy. When it doesn't anymore I will paint it candy lime green.
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Paint it Neutron Silverdammit ;)
:chugbeer:
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3M # 39006 Cleaner Wax- it's a polishing wax that will remove the scratches and any imperfections completely. No buffer needed.
http://www.autogeek.net/3m39006.html (http://www.autogeek.net/3m39006.html)
Finish with Liquid Glass- http://www.bing.com/shopping/liquid-glass-lg-100-ultimate-auto-polish-finish-16-oz/p/2C31A0F8F8D858AE5012?q=liquid+glass&lpq=liquid%20glass&FORM=HURE (http://www.bing.com/shopping/liquid-glass-lg-100-ultimate-auto-polish-finish-16-oz/p/2C31A0F8F8D858AE5012?q=liquid+glass&lpq=liquid%20glass&FORM=HURE)
Liquid Glass has been around a long time. The makers of this product got it right the first time. Best, highest gloss and longest lasting protection you can get. Works beautifully on your plexi windshild too. Even the nastiest bug residue wipes right off with a damp terrycloth towel.
I owned a paint & body shop for 12 years that specialized in restorations so I speak from experience.
These 2 products are all you'll ever need for your bikes or cars paint care.
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Althought my bike is not black (Red C10), I've used Mother's Plastic Polish to rub out some serious scratching on a front fender, that had some depth to them. Scratches were caused when a manual garage door coming down on the fender.
I tried it as I had nothing to lose and to my surprise it worked very well. You can't tell the scratches were ever there. Also use it on the windshield as needed.
I've used it sucessfully to remove scratches on painted plastic, clear plastic and painted metal (fuel tank).