Clean, Polish and Wax

[chipmaker]

Did you compound by hand?

[Alberta Beagle]

Did you compound by hand?

Yes Sir!!! Ultimate Compund and Ultimate paste wax were both applied by hand using a sponge wax applicator pad and removed using cotton diapers. Buffing was done with a super plush microfibre buffing cloth.

[chipmaker]

Very good...

[Darkknight]

I'm a nut case when it come to waxing and keeping my bikes clean. that's another reason I love this bike. My last bike had so much chrome, even a small puddle would have me polishing for a couple hours.
This bike is a quick wipe and done.
I really like Zymol polish for a wet deep black look. My bike arrived unscathed and one micro scratch resulted in a replaced panel from Honda. Although sweetheart did put a nice scratch in a saddlebag with her cute little boots

Now, about my tank, I'm still riding with chaps until weather warms up. I was seeing micro scratches from the leather chaps rubbing against the gas tank. I installed 3M paint protective film at those two locations. It was $20 for a 12X12 inch piece and I cut the two shapes myself, cutting round corners using a 1" socket as a pattern. This worked wonderful. It's almost invisible and can be remove if needed. I only wish I had used it where sweetie swings her boots over my saddlebags....

[Retired Army]

I am a firm believer that a lot of the finish issues could have been prevented if Honda had put a couple of coats of clear on in the final step. I have not researched paint finishes but I think water based finishes are the thing of the future, possibly mandated by law under the guise of safety and environmental protection. I did put two coats of 3M glaze on my red bike and now can keep a fairly decent looking bike and still have time to ride it.

[Alberta Beagle]

There is no doubt the finish is very soft and I would also agree that a clear coat would do alot to help the finish be more durable.
A good quality wax when maintained properly will go a long way to help minimize the small scratches. However, when you or a passenger go to get on the bike and hit a saddlebag you are definitely going to have to do some finesse polishing to correct the damage.
I am considering having a clear 3M installed on the rear deck, tops of the bags and the upper fairing. Once I have a good 4 coats of wax i will see how durable it becomes.
Black is a bugger to keep nice and I have to agree with most on here that Honda could of, and should have had a better finish on this bike.


Beagle

[jorgebri60]

Not sure about the rest of you, but I've used pledge to clean all of my bikes for years.....it works well on the finish as well as the windscreens. I use it on my plane as well so I know it won't harm anything. It's a good way to keep the deep lustre of the paint between washes and it even works well on chrome.....plus you get a nice lemony smell

[Retired Army]

I am a firm believer that a lot of the finish issues could have been prevented if Honda had put a couple of coats of clear on in the final step. I have not researched paint finishes but I think water based finishes are the thing of the future, possibly mandated by law under the guise of safety and environmental protection. I did put two coats of 3M glaze on my red bike and now can keep a fairly decent looking bike and still have time to ride it.

http://www.wisegeek.org/what-are-the....htm#slideshow

This site might shed some light on finishes.

[Yeahoo Whoyah]

California Car Duster

AB- i agree, it works great for removing dust. Have you found that it leaves, in a few places, a little chemical residue behind? Quick detail spray removes these easily.