Hi everyone Im new to this board and I just picked up my all black 03' HD from Plantation Ford Yesterday!!! I LOVE the truck and want to take care of it the best I can!! Does the vehicle have any special care needs?? Can anyone recommend good products to be used with/on the truck?? Thanks

 

Congrats on the new truck. You will love it. I have one the same as yours and enjoy driving it every day. Plus it matches my 03 Ultra Classic as well. Have fun with your truck.
As for special care? Well, I went to Zeibart and had the Diamond gloss put on it. I did this to my wifes Black car and it keeps the shine year round. Plus keeps it from scratching as well. When you get it, you do have to go back once a year and have it reapplied. I have found it is well worth the money for this. It also makes, what dirt does get on the truck, come off more easily too when washing.
I used to live down in Plantation years ago on 5th street. I miss the weather, but don't miss the crime and traffic. That is the reason I left.
Congrats again on your HD! It will turn heads..Mine sure does...

 

ZAINO!!! www.zainobros.com worth every penny! i know the other guys will agree with me.

anyway, welcome to the site and congrats on the new HD! post pics when you get a chance, and join the HD registry

www.svtregistry.com/harley-davidson

welcome to the site!

 

Definitely agree on the Zaino, I just ordered some ZFX and 2 clay bars. I have plenty of their other stuff to last quite some time,lol.

 

Congrats on the new truck! Drive it and enjoy it.

 

Welcome to the HD brotherhood, and congrats on the 03. Harley356 (Josh) is our resident appearence specialists. I think everyone that has tried Zaino agrees with him about it being far superior to any product on the market.

Let us know when you stop doing the happy dance. We will guide you through the mod process. That will start the dance all over again...

 

Congrats on the new truck!! You will have no regrets for sure!!

As HD356 said, Zaino!!! Make it your first priority. You can't go wrong.

 

zaino=

 

How much did the diamond gloss cost?? The dealer said they would put a Duron paint sealant on that protects against everything for five years, i dunt know how well it protects the finish tho? I noticed that the black shows everything so I want to invest in a paint sealant!!

 

I just called the dealer, they want $399 for a Duron teflon coating of interior and exterior and protects against everything for 5 years?? Any thoughts?

 

IMO, do not waste your money! Buy Zaino or Liquid Glass or something of the sort and do it yourself. I would strongly recommend Zaino. I have used a lot of different waxes and polishes over the years and have not found anything better.

Typically the dealer products are not any better than what you can do yourself. My dad retired from Ford as a service tech and he remembers the detail guys putting on the 'so called' protection packages. They would buy cans of Scotchguard and spray the interior and use Turtle Wax on the paint. The salesman would give the poor schmo' a piece of paper with a warranty and laugh all the way to the bank.

 

yup, what billp said. LoL.
the dealer "sealant" or whatever is usually just a scam that they've been doing since forever.
i would go with zaino. i used liquid glass for the 1st two years i had my truck, and it was awsome, but Zaino is still a step above.
at 1st glance at their site it may seem overwhelming and alot of money and time, but its really not. its easy maintence, super easy on off, not that much money cuz you'll spend about 100 bucks a year on products...which is under 10 bucks a month. you can't beat that for the amount of protection and shine zaino will give you , and its far better than the dealer stuff thats supposed to last 5 years...(yeah right. LoL!)

Sal zaino has said one coat of zaino will last roughly 6 months, where as regular wax will only last 3 in the same conditions. plus zaino just looks so much better than just a regular wax IMO.

and since we are posting pics...and i'm a pic/post *****...might as well throw in a few of mine also. LoL!!

zaino rocks!!!

check out the reflection! only 3 coats in these pics! up to 9 now





their tire shine is the best out of dozens that i've tried yet also!

 

Ok, so Ill go w/ zaino!! Which products and how much of each do I buy for a year? There were a few small scratches and swirl marks from the dealer! Do you use the shampoo too?? Thanks for all you help guys!!

Also, what do you use to keep engine clean??

 

Some people try to buy the absolute minimum amount of zaino to try and save a few bucks and mix it with other products, and then wonder why the results weren't that great. everything works together, and it all helps the final appearnce.

for starting out, you should wash your truck with dawn to make sure its nice and clean (yes, the blue dawn dish soap)
i'd pick up some zfx (don't need z1 if you get zfx, the zfx replaces z1 and allows you to do 3 coats in a day and dry time is cut to nothing), then z5 base coating polish (for more than just swirl remover, this looks better on darker colors), z2 final top coat polish, and for all the chrome, z6 quick detailer, for inbetween all the coats and after every truck wash, z7 wash, smells great and adds to the protection and looks, z16 tire shine....why not get some while you are ordering, this stuff rocks! one coat low gloss, 2 coats high gloss, not oily, doesn't attract dirt or dust or turn brown or sling off. it rocks!, and maybe a z18 claybar, but thats not necessary with a brand new truck, but it still helps some. up to you on that one.

so to make a list, here's what i'd recommend
zfx
z2
z5
z6
z7
z16
?z18?

and for the stuff you need that you can't order from zaino...
dawn blue dish soap...the high alkaline content in it strips any wax or oils from the paint so the zaino bonds better...and it won't hurt your paint
100% cotton wash mit...MADE IN USA!!!!!
and 100% cotton towells...MADE IN USA!!!! i want to stress the 100% cotton made in usa part, cuz some cheaperr brand towells say they are 100% cotton, but really aren't. and its a good idea to cut the edges of the towell off, cuz the nylon thread holding the ends sewn together can scratch the paint. fieldcrest and cannon are both good names.

good luck! the 1st process seems like alot of work, but its worth all the trouble! and after that its a breeze

3 coats of zaino and she'll be blinging!

 

thanks a lot harley, Ill make my order and after I get her back from the dealer (repainting tailgate) ill clean her up and post some picks!!! Thanks for everyones help!!