How do I get light scratches out of my gas tank paint ? I rode about a mile with a empty small cardboard box between my leggs and it screwed up my pretty tank. I asked a body shop guy and he said re paint the tank, he couldn't buff it out with the clear coat on. Does the tank and fenders have clear coat ????

 

Clear coat is what makes the paint shine. Its the top (last) coat. You didnt say if the scratches go all the way to the metal. If not Mothers makes a very good polish. Get it at Auto zone, Wal-mart ect. Invest in a luggage rack and sissy bar if you are going to haul stuff on your bike. Harley makes some fine strap-on bags to fit your bike or get some throw-over saddlebags. Good luck with the paint job.

 

+1 get the rack

 

Wet sand using 1500 grit and lots of water(running water)...then polish out with a high grade polishing compound ( use with water ) and then wax it out with several coats...it will come out looking new again.

 

ALL clear coat paint jobs get wet sanded and polished... and yes the stock paint has clear coat.

 

The only thing you need is 3M Finesse-It. it will remove those scratches guaranteed. any time i wax i will you Finesse-it first. my paint looks brand new all the time

 

Thanks, They are not really bad scratches, it is just dull places where the box was making contact and it wont come out (yet). The guy used some fine compound and rubbed it by hand and it didn't even fase it. I thought about useing a slow speed buffer as well but I was afraid of making it worse. I will try some of your suggestions.

 

Always start with the least aggressive method and work up progressively if you need to. You sure as heck don't need to repaint unless you can feel the scratch running your fingernail over it. Wet sanding would be next to the last thing I do to get a scratch out because it removes a lot of paint; be careful. It's easy to make a little repair, a big one. Moderation is king.

 

Ah yes patina, the signs of wear..............

 

Try Quixx. It's a 2 part system. It also includes a very fine grit sanding strip just in case your scratches are deep.