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Those of you who have had the matte black and gloss black for a couple of years I would be interested in how the paint is holding up. Also the blacked out engine is the black still looking new on the motor?
Thunderbird matte black or gloss black
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The paint on my gloss '11 Storm is holding up well. Everything motor-wise is holding up thus far. I do keep it pretty clean.
I can't say I know anybody with the matte black specifically on a Triumph, but I do have a friend with a Harley Nightster and the problem he has with it is you can't buff out any scratches or really do anything other than wash it.
I can't say I know anybody with the matte black specifically on a Triumph, but I do have a friend with a Harley Nightster and the problem he has with it is you can't buff out any scratches or really do anything other than wash it.
Like was said, with matte black you're stuck with whatever it is. Scratches, water spots, tree sap, bird crap that etches the surface, etc. You cannot do anything to it other than wash it. So they will begin looking old and shabby eventually. Eventually could mean any length of time depending on environment. Personally i wouldn't consider it under any circumstances. Gloss black is safe since you CAN polish out any imperfections. However, black is by far the hardest color to keep nice because any imperfections stand out like a sore thumb. Especially with these bikes because they use a water based paint which produces a much softer paint job. You can literally run a ringer along it very lightly and leave a "rake" trail in it. Even my blue metallic is bad, but black would be 10 times worse. If you get the storm thats the way to go however because matte is as i described. If it's always garaged and never in the elements you might get away with matte. But otherwise i would stay away.
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663 Posts
I suggest that you get the bike painted blue. It's a much more forgiving color and as everyone on this forum knows, it is much faster than the other colors.
In lieu of that, Mother's has some excellent scratch removers and pre-wax glazes that will enhance your finish.
In lieu of that, Mother's has some excellent scratch removers and pre-wax glazes that will enhance your finish.
Imagine a CAR with a matte finish ! They're been showing up lately. Not many of them, but i cannot imagine how anyone would buy one unless they really don't know about the maintenance issue.My mate's matte green Speed Triple still looks great, apart from an impossible to remove blemish on the tank, caused by some bird poo. Not good. Personally I don't care for this type of finish.
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My storm is outside on a jobsite all day every work day since july 5 this year and it.s holding up pretty good. I learned the hard way on previous bikes pressure sprayers wear out the black engine finish. there is a product out that restores the finish tho. My jet black tank is full of light scratches like everybody elses. I wax it & ride it.
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972 Posts
Back in the late '60s and early '70s car manufacturers were painting hoods with flat black paint. That fad ended pretty quickly after people saw how that finish ages deteriorates.
Seems like every generation we have to try flat paint on cars and motorcycles. Seems like we would have learned that lesson by now.
Seems like every generation we have to try flat paint on cars and motorcycles. Seems like we would have learned that lesson by now.
It much depends how you look after the surface. I wash the engine thoroughly each time I wash the rest of the bike. I follow it up with a light spray of silicone. My ten-year old 955i Daytona engine covers still look like new!
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2,643 Posts
I love the matte black, but when I asked the salesman how to protect it he handed me a can of spray cleaner!!! still, if the used storm I bought was matte instead of jet I would have done it. we have lots of geese round here & I wonder if droppings would damage the matte lack of polish?
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71 Posts
I'm with you, I have the 2012 TB Storm in the matte finish. It does look awesome. As for the cleaning, I wash it using a very diluted soapy water with a sponge, and a thorough rinse. I polish the pipes and other areas that need a 'sparkle' and it was advised to me to get bugs off and bird crap, etc... Get a wet towel and leave it on the area with the crap on it for 10 minutes. This softens the bugs, crap, etc and makes it easier to wash away with cold water. It was also advised to me to only wash with COLD water. I think the Matte finish is easier to keep clean, but that's my opinion. Hope this helps.
Vespa to the Storm!
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My 2011 Storm used to turn a coffee colour out in the sun (in the shade it was jet black). I referred it to my dealer and Triumph replaced all the painted panels under warranty. However it's still that soft looking paint.
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