First scratch and graze repair.

[Blossom]

So last night a couple of mates were over and we were doing some work on one of their bikes. One of them was sitting on my vl250 and when he got off he didn't put down the kickstand and my girl went down.

I am actually quite relieved that the first drop/scratch is over and it wasn't me that did it. Down side is the girl is no longer 'new' but I guess eventually all bikes get the odd mark/scratch.

Damage is really really minimal and was prevented in large by landing mostly on my saddle bags.
However... Small Scratches to the indicator and end of handlebar
graze on chrome mirror and clutch lever
graze/scratch on front left mudguard.

So any links to info on how to polish out chrome grazes and info on how/if one can repair mudguards would be greatly appreciated. I don't even know what the mudguard is made of? I am such a noob.

[Max Headroom]

So last night a couple of mates were over and we were doing some work on one of their bikes. One of them was sitting on my vl250 and when he got off he didn't put down the kickstand and my girl went down.


So, your ex-mate has now been hung/drawn/quartered/tarred/feathered as considered appropriate?

Or at least offered to pay for the damage?

[hayd3n]

is the guard broken?? or scratched??

[Blossom]

So, your ex-mate has now been hung/drawn/quartered/tarred/feathered as considered appropriate?

Or at least offered to pay for the damage?
It was an accident. He thought he had pushed the kickstand fully forward but obviously didn't quite and it fell. I love my bike but its not worth losing a friend over.


is the guard broken?? or scratched??

Just scratched.. I might take a pic later thismorning and post on here.

[Owl]

Just scratched.. I might take a pic later this morning and post on here.

That would be a good idea!

[Coyote]

You won't be able to buff scratches out of chrome. The only way of fixing that is sanding the metal down and re chroming. But any dirt in the scratches can be polished off with metal polish so the scratches become less obvious. Forgot the name of the really good stuff, been a while since I've used it (my bikes just get left in a bad state of repair. Any attempt of tidying them up just results in them falling over and my work being nullified).

Painted surfaces can be buffed with polishing compound and a rag. Again, it won't fix the scratches but it'll make them not so obvious. If you're daring you can sand the surface back a little to flatten it down with 1500-2000 sandpaper (making sure you dip the paper in water often and keep the sanded area wet). Then buff with compound to bring the shine back. Have to be careful with this though as you can buff through the paint.

Don't get disheartened. Scratches add character. My bike has plenty of them, and dents too! :D

[Blossom]

I think the scratches in the mudguard go way deeper than the paint. I can stick my fingernail into it from the side...the picture doesnt show it very well unfortunately... Might try taking another one tomorrow outside.

[laserracer]

Hi if you can put a fingernail into it its to deep and will need repainting ...or i was trolling the mobile car valet forums on the net ..cause thats what i do.. and came across a neat little trick to fill and colour scratches, you mix paint and supaglue together then carefuly fill scratches sand back very carefully with 2000 grit and polish..now ive never tried this so its only what ive read.... but you never know .... good luck
autosol on the chrome

[Blossom]

Hi if you can put a fingernail into it its to deep and will need repainting ...or i was trolling the mobile car valet forums on the net ..cause thats what i do.. and came across a neat little trick to fill and colour scratches, you mix paint and supaglue together then carefuly fill scratches sand back very carefully with 200 grit and polish..now ive never tried this so its only what ive read.... but you never know .... good luck
autosol on the chrome

interesting idea... might have to try out that on something first of course...
will autosol help with the grazes on chrome? I thought that stuff just cleaned it and made it all shiny like?

[R6_kid]

It's stuffed. You're gonna have to throw the whole thing out and start from scratch.

[laserracer]

nah autosol will only make it really shiny but will take out scratches in alloy, it may work on the chrome depends if scratchs are surface only, if ya in hamilton shoot around and i will have a look

[hayd3n]

interesting idea... might have to try out that on something first of course...
will autosol help with the grazes on chrome? I thought that stuff just cleaned it and made it all shiny like?

itll blend it the damage and make it less noticeable

[Blossom]

nah autosol will only make it really shiny but will take out scratches in alloy, it may work on the chrome depends if scratchs are surface only, if ya in hamilton shoot around and i will have a look

Thanks very much for the offer..but I am in Pukekohe and its a bit damp out today for a wee blat down your way.


itll blend it the damage and make it less noticeable
Good to know.. just got back from supercheap now with a tube of autosol so off downstairs to the bike lounge to start polishing...

[Owl]

Hi if you can put a fingernail into it its to deep and will need repainting ...or i was trolling the mobile car valet forums on the net ..cause thats what i do.. and came across a neat little trick to fill and colour scratches, you mix paint and supaglue together then carefuly fill scratches sand back very carefully with 2000 grit and polish..now ive never tried this so its only what ive read.... but you never know .... good luck
autosol on the chrome

Very interesting idea! I might try that one and if it works, I'll only be pissed off that I didn't think of it myself.
There are better methods of repair in this case though!


Thanks very much for the offer..but I am in Pukekohe and its a bit damp out today for a wee blat down your way.


You thought about getting a quote to paint the guard? It's not a big job!

[laserracer]

OH if useing autosol always apply it and wipe it off with a terry cloth type of rag for best results, i know as ive polished my dirtbikes magnesium side covers and i get to repolish them after every ride, my sons side covers and swing arm are also polished,man i go through a shit load of autosol, good stuff though.

[Blossom]

Very interesting idea! I might try that one and if it works, I'll only be pissed off that I didn't think of it myself.
There are better methods of repair in this case though!



You thought about getting a quote to paint the guard? It's not a big job!

What is this better method of repair you speak of? Getting a quote etc to paint the guard? I have not yet met a cheap panelbeater so assumed this small job would not be all that cheap. But then all I am basing this on is urban ledgend and being a cheap skate.


OH if useing autosol always apply it and wipe it off with a terry cloth type of rag for best results,

Thanks.. I am sure I have some old tea towels round here somewhere....

[FJRider]

Scratches on mud guards can be hidden by strategically placed stickers...
Careful, Autosol IS an abrasive... Brasso is not as abrasive...

[FJRider]

Damage is really really minimal and was prevented in large by landing mostly on my saddle bags.
However... Small Scratches to the indicator and end of handlebar
graze on chrome mirror and clutch lever
graze/scratch on front left mudguard.

So any links to info on how to polish out chrome grazes and info on how/if one can repair mudguards would be greatly appreciated. I don't even know what the mudguard is made of? I am such a noob.

Maybe a trip to a bike shop for new aftermarket indicators (a pair), new hand grips (fancy ones with tassels ???) new mirrors/clutch lever.
A lot of the non standard aftermarket stuff isn't that expensive...

[Blossom]

Not sure about that sticker idea.. sounds dodgy...

The clutch is the only thing that I would actually consider replacing the rest are so minimal it just would not be worth it (unless of course my OCD kicks in then anything is possible) but I will have a look about and see what I can find.

[Blossom]

The mudguard is black plastic all the way through so no other colour issues to deal with. I have wet sanded the scratch smooth with 2000grit and then as it didn't look as bad as I thought I tried filling with black wax repair stuff.. Worked a treat. Only thing to do now is buff out the hazing from the sanding.. What compound is best to use? I dont have a buffer but could proberly rig one up using the angle grinder or something if I had too.

And I notice a lot of people using pledge? as an after polish.... does it make the plastic shiny or something?

(blossom is a complete noob)

Thanks everyone :2thumbsup

[FJRider]

You could try spray on clear... ???

[hayd3n]

i just use tyre shine on everything but tyres and seat
its silicon based and repels water

[laserracer]

i dont think i would use an angle grinder not unless it has a speed control as most angle grinders are to fast and will burn the paint, probably cut it by hand, i use a chemical cutter called deox i dont think you can buy it retail, you want a fairly mild cutter, you may be able to polish out the hazing but it depends how bad it is, yep silicone will hide the hazing but a huge no..no if you ever want to paint that part as silicone and new paint DONT mix

[hayd3n]

i dont think i would use an angle grinder not unless it has a speed control as most angle grinders are to fast and will burn the paint, probably cut it by hand, i use a chemical cutter called deox i dont think you can buy it retail, you want a fairly mild cutter, you may be able to polish out the hazing but it depends how bad it is, yep silicone will hide the hazing but a huge no..no if you ever want to paint that part as silicone and new paint DONT mix

just for plastic not paint

[laserracer]

yeah on plastic is fine

[Owl]

What is this better method of repair you speak of? Getting a quote etc to paint the guard? I have not yet met a cheap panelbeater so assumed this small job would not be all that cheap. But then all I am basing this on is urban ledgend and being a cheap skate.

I knew I shouldn't have posted that! There is a better method Blossom, but unfortunately you don't have a prayer of pulling it off. Hell, if you were local, I'd spray for $50 just for opening my big mouth.

[blossomsowner]

I knew I shouldn't have posted that! There is a better method Blossom, but unfortunately you don't have a prayer of pulling it off. Hell, if you were local, I'd spray for $50 just for opening my big mouth.



does this mean you are a proper skilled type auto painter person????????
always handy to know these things for when paint job gets boring......

[Owl]

does this mean you are a proper skilled type auto painter person????????
always handy to know these things for when paint job gets boring......

Yep, but generally don't piss about with bike stuff unless it's my own!

[Blossom]

I knew I shouldn't have posted that! There is a better method Blossom, but unfortunately you don't have a prayer of pulling it off. Hell, if you were local, I'd spray for $50 just for opening my big mouth.

Well I have to say that I have had an absolute blast of a time playing about with compounds, wax, sandpaper, paint and plastic polish. :lol:
Having lots of success so far. I feel a bit like the mad scientist. :eek:
But liking 'plastix' polish lots, and pledge eh..who would've guessed how usefull that stuff is. So once I finish practicing on other plastic things.. (there must be an old indicator round here somewhere right?)I am going to have a go on the scratches on the indicator casing and then on the wing mirror and clutch.
It really is a bit scary how much I am enjoying myself actually.

[Owl]

Well I have to say that I have had an absolute blast of a time playing about with compounds, wax, sandpaper, paint and plastic polish. :lol:
Having lots of success so far. I feel a bit like the mad scientist. :eek:
But liking 'plastix' polish lots, and pledge eh..who would've guessed how usefull that stuff is. So once I finish practicing on other plastic things.. (there must be an old indicator round here somewhere right?)I am going to have a go on the scratches on the indicator casing and then on the wing mirror and clutch.
It really is a bit scary how much I am enjoying myself actually.

Way to go Blossom and you're on the right track. 10 points for effort!:niceone:
If your clutch lever has gouges on it, you'll fix that easily. Any black plastic will no doubt be textured, so be aware that you'll end up with a smooth spot. If the indicator lense is scratched, you'll fix that with ease too. Good luck!

[Blossom]

Way to go Blossom and you're on the right track. 10 points for effort!:niceone:
If your clutch lever has gouges on it, you'll fix that easily. Any black plastic will no doubt be textured, so be aware that you'll end up with a smooth spot. If the indicator lense is scratched, you'll fix that with ease too. Good luck!

The indicator is chrome coloured plastic...so am feeling a bit chicken about sanding it in case I go though the chrome paint to the 'whatever' colour underneath...any ideas?
I have pretty much fixed the mudguard..you have to get 5in from it on just the right angle to see the slight colour fade where I did the repair.. much better than an ugly scratch/graze. And the wing mirror is so freaken shiny the man cant find the scratches on that... hehhehe...
But the clutch lever still has gouges on the very end.. I did think of putting some sort of gay leather sleeve with tassles to distract people and I am pretty sure it will put everyone else off riding the bike...(and therefore not able to break her again) but I wonder if I would be able to ride her if she had tassles...:nono: So Ferris what is the solution to the gouges... sand with 400grit wet and dry? then work up to 2000grit then rechrome?

btw....:niceone:thanks for all your help.

[vifferman]

The indicator is chrome coloured plastic...so am feeling a bit chicken about sanding it in case I go though the chrome paint to the 'whatever' colour underneath...any ideas?
You're right to be hesitant about that - don't try buffing it, as the chrome is only a poofteeenth of a mm thick. See if you can touch up the scratches with a very fine artist's paintbrush and some silvery paint from a model shop. You'll only need one of those very small (20ml?) tins.


But the clutch lever still has gouges on the very end..
Are you sure that's chromed, and not just polished? You should be able to tell - if it's chromed, you should be able to flake it off immediately adjacent to the gouges, as chrome is kinda brittle compared to alumminiminimium alloy.
AFAIK, the levers are just polished and clear-coated. Assuming any of my bikes had ever had contact with the tarmac in the past - hypothetically speaking, of course :shifty: - and had gouges of the kind you describe, I would use a fine file first, then follow up with progressively fine sandpaper. Of course, just using sandpaper would work, but the file is quicker and easier to control.

[Blossom]

....chrome is only a poofteeenth of a mm thick.... silvery paint from a model shop.

Ah...good plan.. will do that.


Are you sure that's chromed,

actually now that I know what to look for... then no I don't think its chromed.. what a noob...:spanking: excellent news for the repair though.. should be easy as now.

[Owl]

Chrome coloured plastic.................I wouldn't touch it unless I was prepared to replace the part.
The clutch lever can be tested with metal polish. Rub some on and if the cloth turns black, it'll be uncoated alloy. Coated alloy or chrome won't show on the cloth.

[Blossom]

Chrome coloured plastic.................I wouldn't touch it unless I was prepared to replace the part.
The clutch lever can be tested with metal polish. Rub some on and if the cloth turns black, it'll be uncoated alloy. Coated alloy or chrome won't show on the cloth.

mmm...interesting. I will have to go and test that out when I have a minute.

Thanks for the info.