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!

[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:Me]

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.