[Vmatti]

What do you think, how sensitive that special paint will be in practise?
Will it be scratched, getting swirls and other cosmetic damages easily in daily use?

 

[SilverbirdH2]

My dealer said....microfiber cloth...(I asked him this same question).I normally use a cotton towel and 'hot' water to clean my 14 paint surfaces with.Followed by a cotton towel.Wax with professional quality hand wax...buff with a cotton(or microfiber)towel.It is clearcoated...I'm gonna be very careful just how I apply pressure on it and how I wax it....I try to stay away from swirling any cleaning cloth or buffing cloth I use...mostly straight lines..and gently.VERY gentlyI also read that waxing is something you do only once in a while...over a period of months actually.It can build up and have a negative appearance effect.

We have LOTS of big azz bugs here in the Summer....so I'm a tad wondering just how this paint finish is gonna do...hopefully...it'll be fine with the right TLC.

Actually...on my rides..I take a damp cloth,along with a dry one...and clean my 14 as needed at rest stops or whatever....hey...it's MY bike...I like it to look good regardless.

 

[ZX-14R_stealthrider]

What do you think, how sensitive that special paint will be in practise?
Will it be scratched, getting swirls and other cosmetic damages easily in daily use?

Unfortunately, I don't expect that it will be at all like Gorilla Glass in scratch resistance... if it has any particularly notable scratch resistance, I think that it would certainly have been mentioned in the Press Release etc.

I'm especially careful what I use on the Matte Black paint on my ZX-14 SE and ZX-14R ABS.

Not all microfiber cloths are created equal.

I only use ones that pass the "Blank CD Test"... take a virginal CD Blank and apply the dry microfiber cloth that is being tested to it.

If any scratches appear on the CD Blank, the microfiber cloth will also scratch a Clear Coat.

There's lots of great advice in the Detailer / Wax Forums on the Web.

As always with any product that you use, caveat emptor!

 

[SilverbirdH2]

Good advice there...

 

[Titan]

Given how shiny the paint job is, I would assume that is scratches pretty easily. I guess we will know from first hand experience soon enough. I would also be extra careful though. I don't imagine paint touch ups for this motorcycle come cheap.

 

[Vmatti]

Given how shiny the paint job is, I would assume that is scratches pretty easily. I guess we will know from first hand experience soon enough. I would also be extra careful though. I don't imagine paint touch ups for this motorcycle come cheap.

That's my biggest worries too - how long H2 should looks shiny and perfect?
I'm gonna drive anyway 12.000km per season.

 

[ZX-14R_stealthrider]

That's my biggest worries too - how long H2 should looks shiny and perfect?

Ultimately, that will depend on you. >

 

[NinJAHfu]

There's a guy that has a company called AMMO NYC that posts guides on how to clean and detail your vehicles, you guys might want to head over their to see what preferred ways from a detailer you can use to clean and even detail your bike

 

[SilverbirdH2]

Well..the paint itself wil stay fine..it's the clearcoat that'll be affected.That's what ya have to protect and clean carefully.****...it might not be as 'bad' as we're imagining.mainly just have to use a good mild PH balanced soap on it...and make sure the towels are free of ANY micro grit.Same with the waxing and buffing towels....'chemicalguys' on the web have a most excellent set ot tutiorials about this very thing...plus some trick waxes and towels and such.I'll be shopping with em in a while...solely for my H2.

 

[als 15 h2]

Well..the paint itself wil stay fine..it's the clearcoat that'll be affected.That's what ya have to protect and clean carefully.****...it might not be as 'bad' as we're imagining.mainly just have to use a good mild PH balanced soap on it...and make sure the towels are free of ANY micro grit.Same with the waxing and buffing towels....'chemicalguys' on the web have a most excellent set ot tutiorials about this very thing...plus some trick waxes and towels and such.I'll be shopping with em in a while...solely for my H2.

Maybe I missing something but I never wash my Road bikes. Of course I never ride them in the rain. I have had a bike up to 8 years without washing-JUST DUSTING WITH A "CALIFORNIA DUSTER" OR SIMILIAR DUSTER. I JUST ALWAYS KEEP THEM COVERED IN THE GARAGE.

 

[ZX-14R_stealthrider]

Maybe I missing something but I never wash my Road bikes. Of course I never ride them in the rain. I have had a bike up to 8 years without washing-JUST DUSTING WITH A "CALIFORNIA DUSTER" OR SIMILIAR DUSTER. I JUST ALWAYS KEEP THEM COVERED IN THE GARAGE.

So you never ever get bug splatter anywhere or oil flung from the chain onto the rear rim?

 

[SilverbirdH2]

I TRY to stay out of any rain also...can't be helped sometimes.I don't cover mine cause I ride everyday if the weather is okay.Road dust and stuff will get on there...asphalt grime...all that.BUGS...lots of bugs usually.Just can't dust that off...wish I could.

 

[Titan]

I don't see how your bike can stay completely clean without washing it ever. Bugs and dust and dirt are bound to get on it. Maybe you are sticking to some ridiculously clean streets, but I just don't see that as a reality for most people.

 

[NinJAHfu]

You can of course avoid as many bad situations as you can to better your chances of keeping it clean and away from things hard to remove like bugs!

I think the best place to start with a bike like this is to get a detailer to apply Opti-Coat or a product like, it will make cleaning and maintaining the new look far easier

 

[Clover]

You can of course avoid as many bad situations as you can to better your chances of keeping it clean and away from things hard to remove like bugs!

I think the best place to start with a bike like this is to get a detailer to apply Opti-Coat or a product like, it will make cleaning and maintaining the new look far easier

I would check first to make sure that product is okay to use on this paint. It has a mirror finish so I would just double check to make sure it doesn't harm the shiny surface.

 

[NinJAHfu]

I would check first to make sure that product is okay to use on this paint. It has a mirror finish so I would just double check to make sure it doesn't harm the shiny surface.

That's the whole point of it, it was made to protect paint, no question about that. It basically acts as a clear coat, i'm not sure if you know what that is but if not, google it.

 

[Juggernaut]

Id just check with Kawasaki before doing anything with the paint since its a new paint process. Just to make sure there aren't any special rules you need to follow.

 

[SilverbirdH2]

It's got TWO layers of clearcoat applied...most bikes have just one.It shouldn't be any particular problem keeping it good looking.The Paint itself isn't on the surface...it's protected.The issue would be the clearcoat...not the paint.They most likely did the two clearcoats to allow the owners to be able to buff it out really nice...and keep it that way for quite a while.Nothing is gonna reach the mirror finish paint.Unless ya drop a tool or something on it...or a deep rock hit...something like that.God Forbid

But yeah,I agree there with the Juggman...wouldn't hurt to contact Kawasaki and ask about it...I most likely will...the office in Irvine California.Dealt with them a few times...very cool people and very helpful.

One thing I would be VERY cautious about using on the paint would be any kind of orbital polisher/buffer.You get a hot spot somehow...yer done.Most of em are fine for detailing and such...but ya still have to be very careful...getting the surface totally clean...all that.You wouldn't want to be embedding the clearcoat with surface film.I'll be doing mine by hand...that way I can control the pressure and the amount of wax going on and such.

I've looked up some about that 'sealing' application deal.Not so sure that would be a good idea...it could (maybe)start to discolor after a while...that would totally ruin the 3D effect of the surface.

 

[Ryder]

That's why you take it to a professional that would likely be informed about the process and any factors about the paint that one would need to know before going through with this. Rather pay a professional than do it myself.

 

[SilverbirdH2]

I e-mailed 'chemicalguys' today...telling em about the paint and asking how take care of it....they would know if anyone would....I will get back to us here when they reply.