Is factory paint applied by hand or electrostatically applied?
What's the final mil thickness of the clear?


Picked up a 2013 FB last week and have noticed 2 scuffs and 1 minor scratch in the paint.
Can lightly see the scratch,
can't feel it with a finger nail but it's driving me nuts.
Dealer is too far away and I don't trust anybody with my paint jobs.
Am going to attempt to buff out.
Worse case scenario, wet sand w/ 1200 and buff out but need to know if the clear is ultra thin before attempting.

Color is midnight black w/ blue pearl.
Once the pearl is applied do they spray "additional multiple" layers of CC over the pearl for future buff outs or just 1 sealer coat??

Any info much appreciated.

 

I don't know how thick it is,but plenty thick enough to be buffed. Try a little rubbing compound first.If that doesn't do the trick,go at it lightly,wetsanding,with 2000 grit. 1200 is too rough.

 

The clearcoat on the last 4 hd's Ive had was pretty thick.There is enough that makes it hard or impossible to feel the tank decals.
When trying to correct paint imperfections,you always start with the least aggressive product.Start with some actual polish.that might take it out.If not try some swirl remover and work at it.

 

Couldn't agree more, better safe than sorry.

Thanks for the reply's.

 

Sanding should be your last resort ... and I wouldn't start with anything less than 2000 ... Remember ... Scratch and Swirl Remover ... Polish ... Wax in that order.

 

Totally agree, sanding as a last resort.
Will hit it w/ polish and a new foam waffle pad on my pistol polisher to start and then go from there.
Murphy's Law.

 

The paint is plenty thick to color sand, although rubbing out will probably take care of it if you cant feel it with your finger nail.
If you look close you will see the orange peel this is what you are taking out with the sanding.
If you color sand start with 1000 until 90 percent of the peel is gone then go to 2000, rubbing compound, then polish/glaze.
The paint is sprayed, and is thick enough to sand a couple of times but once you get it flat that is all you need to do then just polish from then on.
Only problem is you will notice the difference in the tank polished and the rest not.
Not many people have the nerve to take sandpaper to their bikes;-)
Saying that more people get into trouble with a power buffer burning through than the sanding process.
And yea I have painted a few.
Practice on your wife's car.

 

Orange peel, what's that?


No orange peel on this paint job.
Slick as glass!


Painted professionally for yrs, chem's caught up with me and had to bail.


Thanks for looking out just as well.

 

I had a 2000 softail with some scratches on the tank, I wet sanded with 1500 until the whole tank was dull and then polished with maguires scratch remover and then polish and finished with maguires 100% carnuba wax and it looked like glass..took my time and did it all by hand with a soft rubber pad for the sandpaper..worked great and if I were not so lazy would do it to my 11 roadking..