Zero Knievel Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 Okay, I have the option to paint my plastics for $500. However, looking at the bike, I get the following sobering thoughts. 1. The existing scratches are unpleasant to look at, but nothing is "broken." I'd like them to be gone, but maybe I could live with it. 2. No matter how cheap a paint job is....road junk alone will put new scratches in the finish. 3. The bike is already 10 years old. 4. The bike now has over 65K on the odometer. 5. I have little to no interest in selling the XX....like normal, I will likely ride it until repair/maintenance outpaces the value of the bike or I have a real bad get off and it's totaled (God forbid). So, if I could diminish the scratches and polish it out/touch up the stuff so it isn't as noticeable, I think I could live with that. After all, knowing the bike already has its scars, I won't be as neurotic about getting dings and scratches. What products/methods work well towards this goal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TuffguyF4i Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 Have you looked at having a paint shop prep and clearcoat? If your base paint is ok, the scratches are just in the clear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero Knievel Posted August 8, 2009 Author Share Posted August 8, 2009 I'm certain the scratches are more than "skin deep." Since the plastic is pretty much molded in the color of choice, I wonder if a good cleaning and some elbow grease will diminish the noticability of the scratches enough for it to be something I can live with. I figure something that will buff out the scratches (or fill them in) while blending in the color could work. Do they make a plastic repairing agent that comes in black? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BackStreet Posted August 9, 2009 Share Posted August 9, 2009 I have some scratches in black plastic. I went over them with a black sharpie and they hardly show. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RC Randy Posted August 9, 2009 Share Posted August 9, 2009 If you are just wanting to hide them, you might consider purchasing some touch up pens from Color Rite. They have a shape tip similar to a magic marker. I got the gray and silver for my Busa to touch up some rock pits, and the match was right on. You will want to get a clear pen as they recommend to get the gloss right. They send very good instructions, but all I did was go over the scratches. They tell you how sand and make it the same level as existing paint, but I didn't want to spend that much time. Without access to a spray equipment and the skills to do it, there is only so much you will be able to do with a pen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero Knievel Posted August 9, 2009 Author Share Posted August 9, 2009 If you are just wanting to hide them, you might consider purchasing some touch up pens from Color Rite. They have a shape tip similar to a magic marker. I got the gray and silver for my Busa to touch up some rock pits, and the match was right on. You will want to get a clear pen as they recommend to get the gloss right. They send very good instructions, but all I did was go over the scratches. They tell you how sand and make it the same level as existing paint, but I didn't want to spend that much time. Without access to a spray equipment and the skills to do it, there is only so much you will be able to do with a pen. Thanks. I figured this might be what I wind up doing. Ultra fine grit...maybe some plastic-made Bondo to fill in the deep gouges, touch up, buff, clear coat if needed. I'll know it's still there, but it won't be so noticeable as it is now. Since I'm thinking of new spring for the front fork (perhaps should have the whole fork serviced while it's open) and replacing the brake lines with better ones, spending $500 on a paint job that won't last 50 miles before it gets scratched might not be worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mekanix Posted August 10, 2009 Share Posted August 10, 2009 The Honda black in the touch up cans is pretty close to the correct black. It has a very tiny amount of metal flake in it, which is what the factory color is. I don't know about the plastics being molded in color, but the paint shop mixed the base coat perfectly for me. You could even get them to do a small batch and paint it in. If you really wanted to work it, tape off the scratch after you have cleaned and degreased it, spray base into the scratch, let it dry, feather sand it with about 1500 grit and then spray clear, wet sand and polish. The base coat will fill the deeper scratches and the clear coat will take care of any thin spots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LogoMan Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 Flitz will take out some of the shallower scratches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BCBird Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 www.langka.com An interesting and professional looking product line. imo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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