Shiny Granit Gray

[tinytrains]

The only thing that disappointed me on my RR, was the satin finish on the Granit Gray (BMW Spelling) paint. I found a way to shine it up a bit. A gentle buffing with Blue Magic polishing cream with facial tissues. Then a good coat of Meguire's Carnuba wax. It is not a deep gloss, but has a bit more shine.

I don't know if the bike has a clear coat, I assume it does, and I did not damage it. It was only a light buffing of the surface. Plus, I keep my bikes well waxed anyway.

Some purists may scream, but I like the results.

If you try this, practice on an out of the way place first and see if you like the results. And be VERY gentle.

BTW, TinyTrains assumes no responsibility if you mess up your paint. Proceed at your own risk.

Scott

[crewzzn88]

Scott,

Do you mean Blue Magic " METAL" polish? Also, when you use facial tissues, do you also mean tissues like kleenex? I have the same bike color and would like a bit of shine on it too.

[Mollygrubber]

Does it make it faster?

[tinytrains]

Yes, the Blue Magic metal polish. It is very fine and will buff anything to a mirror like shine.

And yes, Kleenex is what I used.

Be careful.

Scott

Oh, it has been raining, but I expect another 7 MPH+. And we all know crystal grey is the fastest color to start with!

[Mollygrubber]

And we all know crystal grey is the fastest color to start with!

Right. Like we 'all' know what oil to use, or the torque specs for the frammenschitzer valve mit der weinerhockner.

[papasong]

...Then a good coat of Meguire's Carnuba wax...

I need a good recommendation for Wax to make my black R1200R nice and pretty. Is Meguire's what most people are using?
Can I get some feedback on recommended wax?

Thanks,
Jeff

[rokinrider]

I vote for McGuires Tech wax... Good stuff

[vroomr]

Sounds like you're talking about granite grey, not crystal grey. My crystal grey came nice & shiny, and I keep it that way with Black Magic, the wax that Consumer Reports top-rated a few years ago.

[tinytrains]

You are correct. Mine is Granit Gray per the sticker. The two names get interchanged here a lot. I have retitled the thread.

Scott

[AndyRR]

You can wax them?

[blueviewlaguna]

I would hesitate in using a metal polish on paint - the abrasive qualities may be great for polishing the paint, but I would be concerned about whether any of the chemicals in the metal polish could attack or degrade the paint. There are a lot of paint products (like white polishing compound) that are paint specific with similar abrasive qualities.

Any photos of the new look? - I wonder if you could just polish it up to a high gloss with a buffer?

[tinytrains]

I would hesitate in using a metal polish on paint - the abrasive qualities may be great for polishing the paint, but I would be concerned about whether any of the chemicals in the metal polish could attack or degrade the paint. There are a lot of paint products (like white polishing compound) that are paint specific with similar abrasive qualities.

Any photos of the new look? - I wonder if you could just polish it up to a high gloss with a buffer?

Blue Magic is very mild. It is like toothpaste. I have used it for 20 years on all sorts of things. It will polish clear plastic, or make aluminum like a mirror. I wanted something that would not harm the clear coat.

Stay away from buffers and be careful of rubbing compounds. They can go through the clear coat in a millisecond. Heck, toothpaste may even work.

It is not a deep shine, just take the frost off. I will post a photo sometime.

Scott

[papasong]

What would folks use to polish out scratches to the magnesium piston head covers? I've got some scratches on one side that I'd like to take out.
Would Blue magic be appropriate for that?

[tinytrains]

What would folks use to polish out scratches to the magnesium piston head covers? I've got some scratches on one side that I'd like to take out.
Would Blue magic be appropriate for that?

No. Blue Magic will polish them to a mirror finish, but it is way to fine to remove scratches.

How to fix them depends on how deep they are.

Scott

[papasong]

What would folks use to polish out scratches to the magnesium piston head covers? I've got some scratches on one side that I'd like to take out.
Would Blue magic be appropriate for that?

No. Blue Magic will polish them to a mirror finish, but it is way to fine to remove scratches.

How to fix them depends on how deep they are.

Scott

Not very deep. They're only noticeable if you're face is right up close.

[celticus]

Sounds like you're talking about granite grey, not crystal grey. My crystal grey came nice & shiny, and I keep it that way with Black Magic, the wax that Consumer Reports top-rated a few years ago.

Is it Blue Magic or Black Magic?
Mark

[tinytrains]

Blue Magic is a polishing compound. Black Magic sounds like a wax.

Scott

[vroomr]

Just rechecked Consumer Reports, it's Black Magic.