inline4 Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 Here's the deal. I have a 2001 'Bird wearing the paint of what I'm pretty sure is the 2002 model. However I have no way to confirm that. Whoever repainted the bike did an outstanding job regardless of which color he used. The main cowling has a hole about the size of a half dollar as well as a crack about 3 inches long. I really want to get this repaired, but don't know how to go about it. Of course I can buy the 2002 fairing but what if the paint doesn't match the rest of the body work? Can an automobile body shop repair holes in plastic like this? I'm pretty sure they could match the paint using whatever technique body shops utilize. I've considered using some kind of decal to cover the hole, something like a lightning bolt perhaps but I sure as hell don't want it to look tacky. I'm open to any and all suggestions. Thanks guys, Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcrich Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 A number of years ago, I hit a piece of plywood that put a hole in the nose of my 97. Body shop said they could not do anything with it because it is ABS plastic. Do not know if that has changed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RXX Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 Is that bike the one owned by that dude from Austin? The hole looks familiar.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inline4 Posted February 6, 2013 Author Share Posted February 6, 2013 Is that bike the one owned by that dude from Austin? The hole looks familiar.... No, I don't think so. I purchased it from a man in Fayetteville, AR who had just traded for it from a man in Alabama. The owner from AL was an Army helicopter flight instructor. That has to be the line of the day..."The hole looks familiar". Don't know why I find it funny, but................ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EVLXX Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 I would repair it, and get it repainted, but that's me, and I can do the repair myself so.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
01xxallen Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 A paint shop like Carsmetics should be able to "shoot" the color with a special paint camera, and perfectly match the color. But, if it's a two layer paint, it will never be perfect, but close. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Krypt Keeper Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 repair and have repainted. I just rebuilt the tail section with fiberglass on another bike not long ago. Fiberglass, kittyhair bondo, and sanding. The paint was rattle can as its a play bike. if you can't do fiberglass work look up plastic welding equipment and watch a few youtube videos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warp11XX Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 3M makes a bumper cover repair epoxy that is sandable and virtually indestructable. Most dedicated paint and body places have it as a normal stock item. Relatively cheap and easy fix for a wide variety of plastics. It usually comes as a two part tube that requires a "special" applicator gun, but for the one time use and toss the rest, a couple stiff sticks or throwaway bolts work great for a plunger to dispense the goop. Works dandy on Bird plastic... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alf03 Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 If you have the time and place to do the work yourself you should give it a try. I did all the work on my yellowbird when I dropped it. It will be cheaper for you to do it and you can have some pride in the finished job. Any paint dealer should be able to mix the color really close. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero Knievel Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 The plastic itself is fairly easy to fix. Finding matching paint is the bitch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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