Can you wax your Himalayan?

[SherlockOhms]

I just got a granite black. The manual says not to apply wax to any matte color, which I understand. But the more I look at the tank, the less I think it is a true matte and that perhaps is could be waxed with a paste wax.

Anyone with a granite black, grey, white have any thoughts?

 

[caferider48]

I just got a granite black. The manual says not to apply wax to any matte color, which I understand. But the more I look at the tank, the less I think it is a true matte and that perhaps is could be waxed with a paste wax.

Anyone with a granite black, grey, white have any thoughts?

I've got the red/black and applied carnauba wax several times and it works great, nice shine and rain repellant

 

[SherlockOhms]

Thanks for the reply. I think the red/black is a gloss clearcoat, which would certainly look great with a carnauba wax. The black, grey and white models are not a high-gloss clearcoat, so I want's sure.

 

[petespace1]

Personally, I would not use wax on the matt finishes .
My Himmi is gravel grey, and agree the tank is not the same matt as the mudguards, but its still matt.
I also have a 2015 BMW F800R that is a matt blue and gloss white combination, and they specifically forbid use of polish or wax and state that only a damp lint free cloth should be used on matt surfaces.

Over time some matt parts get inadvertently polished by your riding pants etc, but that is another discussion.

 

[oldphart]

Wax? Wash and chamois, that's all you need.

 

[johnedlt]

Do not wax unless you want it to shine. I tried it on mine... More of a hand buff and the right tank side is now a mirror finish.

 

[Roy Gavin]

Only reason not to wax is if you want to keep the matt finish. Maybe?
As Ps1 said the matt finish is going to get uneven anyway, no matter what you do, so at some point the easiest way to get a uniform appearance might be to give it a rub with a polish of some sort.
For me, a tank always looks better polished, the plastics will always be matt so there isn't a lot left to polish anyway.!

 

[Irishguy]

I think you should "Wax on, Wax off."

 

[caferider48]

I think you should "Wax on, Wax off."

Besides the appearance, wax repels moisture which in most cases is a good thing.....

 

[SherlockOhms]

I was told you can use spray wax on the finish, but of course, not a paste wax. I was going to give it a try.

 

[Irishguy]

Besides the appearance, wax repels moisture which in most cases is a good thing.....

That was a "Karate Kid" reference. A joke.

Honestly... For me, on all my bikes I have ever had, I keep a spray can of cheap Lemon Pledge generic brand from the Dollar Store in my stuff. It's great for cleaning your windshield, helmet, etc... And it also cleans various parts on you bike too.

 

[caferider48]

That was a "Karate Kid" reference. A joke.

Karate Kid goes up against the Gyro-Master, a spinning villain whose motion repels all attacks.

 

[petespace1]

I was told you can use spray wax on the finish, but of course, not a paste wax. I was going to give it a try.

No wax IMHO.

What is it that the wise ones say .....measure twice cut once. Apply the same logic.
Look up on Google 'wax on matt finishes on motorbikes' read a few articles, then decide.

There are specialist products - some great others not so much - you have to decide if you want to go down that path.

I have not used any special products on my other matt bike bought new mid 2015 - thousands of km on it- never washed or waxed the bike's matt parts; never used any cleaning detergent either bike specific or otherwise. Only wipe with soft cloth first remove dust, then wipe with soft damp cloth - still looks good.

Forewarned - your call now

 

[Roy Gavin]

Problem with any paint finish is eventually deteriation due to UV, sometimes called oxidation or weathering.
Extent of problem depends, among other things, on the quality of the paint, the degree of exposure and any protection you may apply.
At one time I worked for a company which made ACPs , used to clad Building facades, and we were able to make "self cleaning" panels and give a twenty year warranty against weathering. Non inflammable ones!
But the paint cost was $20-- per M2, so never used on autos, where 5% of that is the norm.
Acceptable to most, but in harsh climes like Australia, simply not good enough, and it takes a bit of work to keep your auto finish ,er, up to scratch.
Whether you choose to do the work is entirely up to you.
My old BMW G/S just doesnt look right without the grime/patina it has accumulated on a couple of (3/4) RTWs, and 55 years/ 500,000 km.
But the little toy Hima seems to need a pretty up regularly, dirt grime and hard use just don't seem to suit it!

 

[Morgan60]

I have a white matt finish so no wax or if you have any other matt color be happy and just use dish washing soap for cleaning. Then towel it dry.

 

[Roy Gavin]

The matt finish can easily converted to gloss with a cutting polish.
My supermarket sells a Armoral cut and polish for less than $10- for a large tin with foam applicator in the cap, and it will easily bring the complete bike up to whatever degree of gloss you prefer.
Then a couple of coats of a Resin type polish then a good thick coat of Carnauba wax and you have all the UV protection you need and a nice deep gloss.
And any auto paint needs protection!

 

[caferider48]

As Roy says, all paint needs protection. If you were to look under a microscope you would be able to see the progression of the paint breakdown over time. This allows moisture to eventually reach the metal below. The wax is water repellant and also offers the UV protection. So waxing is more to protect the metal than the paint surface.

 

[tom_d]

I just got a granite black. The manual says not to apply wax to any matte color, which I understand. But the more I look at the tank, the less I think it is a true matte and that perhaps is could be waxed with a paste wax.

Anyone with a granite black, grey, white have any thoughts?

I have Snow and have pondered this as well. So far I just keep her clean and covered as the Matt finish helps hide and blend in the personality marks I have added.

 

[grymsr]

I have a sleet and a granite and will never wax them. I like the mattish finish.

 

[Roy Gavin]

Fine, but not everyone does, and after a bit wear it starts to look a bit tatty anyway, particularly the tank.
But the paint does need some form of protection- maybe matt finish Armorall?