Why Paint Deserves Extra Care

It’s a little ironic that one of your most prized possessions, your Harley Davidson motorcycle, gets the most wear and tear. Bearing the brunt of this outdoor abuse is your paint job.

Whether its factory paint or on your new Advanblack color-matched parts, you’re bound to get nicks, scratches, chips, and even worse. There’s no avoiding it.

So, the best thing you can do for your Harley is to pamper it with the tender loving care it deserves. In this article we’ll talk about common threats to your paint job, how to protect your paint, and some products to help you keep your motorcycle looking awesome for years to come.

Common Threats to Your Paint Job

We might be restating the obvious, but your paint job is under constant attack from all kinds of things you may or may not be aware of.

UV Rays and Fading

Nothing like riding a country road on a beautiful sunny day, but the sun’s rays can burn more than your cheeks. The oxidization from UV rays actually breaks down the molecular structure of your paint job, which over time, will fade the paint color. Most Advanblack parts are already treated with a gloss UV-protected clear coat finish, but over time any surface is susceptible to the sun. IS THIS TRUE?

Dirt and Debris

No matter where you ride, you’re under constant assault from dust, dirt, and rocks, not to mention the debris that’s tossed up by other vehicles on the road. And when you mix in bugs, bird droppings and other nasty things, your bike’s paint bears the brunt.

Harsh Weather Conditions

We hope you don’t have to ride in bad weather, but sometimes it’s unavoidable. And if you’re storing your bike outside and unprotected, you’re asking for weather damage from rain, snow, hail and the detritus from high winds.

When it comes to protecting your paint, there are other things to consider, such as how you clean your bike, using the right products/tools you use, avoiding scuffing your bike when you or your passengers are climbing on and other minor “darn its” that happen. It’s all on you to take care of your bike as properly as possible.

Tips to Protect Your Harley’s Paint

There’s no way to prevent your paint from getting damaged, but you can protect it and mitigate damage with a few helpful tips. Remember, there’s a thin layer of clear coat on top of your paint. This clear coat is there to protect the paint, and most of the tiny scratches and nicks you get are in the clear coat, not the paint.

Use High-Quality Covers

Invest in a high-quality cover is one of the smartest things you can do for your bike. Whether you store it indoors or outdoors, a cover can help prevent damage to your paint. Even a tarp is better than nothing, but we recommend a custom cover designed to fit your make and model. There are literally dozens of custom cover manufacturers in a range of prices to fit every budget. Start your search at the source -Harley-Davidson.

Wash Regularly with Gentle Products

Wipe down your bike after every ride. Use a mild detergent with water and a sponge or microfiber towel with plenty of rinsing. There are also some handy “quick detailer” sprays and waterless wash products on the market that will keep your paint clean and sparkling. NEVER use dish soap as this can break down the clear coat and muck up any wax.

Apply Protective Coatings or Wax

Many products are out there that can help protect your paint from the elements. Protective coatings include ceramic, Teflon, and paint protection film (PPF), which we’ll get into more below. But any of these coatings will help protect your paint, although they can be expensive. Occasional polishing and waxing are tasks you should be doing regularly (new Advanblack products do not need to be polished). Light polishing products are recommended, as well as a clay polishing bar if there is caked-on residue from a ride. For waxing, use a liquid over a paste.

Best Products for Paint Protection

There are seemingly endless products out there to protect your bike’s paint. Most are similar in the chemical components and will generally provide protection that is better than using nothing at all.

Recommended Brands for Waxes and Sealants

Waxes come in multiple varieties, many specific to motorcycles. We like KillerWaxx products. They have multiple types of waterless washes, soaps, waxes, detail sprays, and even offroad products.

Sealants (which KillerWaxx also has) are generally more durable than waxing and will provide better protection for your paint. You can use both a sealant and a wax. Apply the sealant first to get the most shine out of the wax.

Protective Films and Ceramic Coatings

The highest protection you can use is a protective film or ceramic coating for your bike. These typically need to be professionally applied and can be expensive. Paint protection film (PPF) is literally a layer of film that’s applied to all the painted (and chrome, if you want) areas of the bike. PPF will provide protection against road debris, bugs, and weather, as well as blocking most UV rays. It’s virtually invisible and won’t alter the look of your paint.

Ceramic coatings provide UV protection, add a glossier look to your paint, and help water and rain bead, making your bike less susceptible to wet conditions and easier to wash. But it won’t provide the same level of protection against scratches and debris as PPF. These coatings come in a variety of types, including ceramic, Teflon and Graphene. While we recommend professional installation/application of either PPF or a coating, there are several highly rated off-the-shelf coating brands including Cerakote, Adams, and Chemical Guys.

What to Avoid When Cleaning Paint

Taking good care of your paint requires some patience and time, but it’s well worth it. Here are some do’s and don’ts.

DO

• Use microfiber towels.
• Use high-quality cleaning and waxing products.
• Use a cover for storage, indoors or outdoors.
• Wipe down your bike after every ride.
• Rinse thoroughly after washing.
• Consider PPF and/or ceramic coating (you can do both).
• Properly prep and store your bike for the winter.

DON'T

• Use abrasive sponges/pads or a sponge or towel if you’ve dropped it on the ground.
• Store your bike in direct sunlight.
• Let your bike air dry (it can leave sun spots).
• Use dish soap or other harsh chemicals found in household cleaners.
• Store your bike dirty.
• Use a high pressure washer over 800psi.

Ensure Your Harley Stands Out for Years

Your pride and joy deserves every bit of care you can give, so keep your Harley looking brand new for years to come by protecting your paint. All your efforts will pay off, especially if you ever decide to sell it and get a new one. The proper care of your paint job will keep your resale value higher. And no matter what, you want to continue to turn heads when you cruise on down the road.