At the gas pump today, due to the stupid gas insert on the newer models, the operator...namely me...sprayed the tank down with 93 octane, including myself. The only think at the station was those windshield paper towels which is what I used to wipe the tank down before it all dripped on the engine. After getting home and washing the bike, the right side of the tank has lots of surface scratches that the paper towels apparantly caused. How is the best way to buff out those surface scratches? What product works the best?

 

polishing compound, something marked swirl remover, buy the an applicaiton pad, easier to work this compound in, use only a little bit at a time and use some muscle. do the complete tank. Than you need to seal it with some good wax. Re-apply a couple of coats of wax every day for a few days to help build up some extra wax to protect it from future wear and tear. Quick detail spray is also helpfulm i use it after each time i ride the bike when i put it away. Keeps the bike nice and shiny and the good detail spray works well on everything including chrome etc.

Good luck

 

Welcome to black lol.
Try Maguire scratch X, it works great.

 

Yeah, paper towels will difinetly scratch paint. If that happens again, grab some towels & just blot/dab the tank without rubbing. Give it a rinse when you get home.

 

There are three ways to remove swirl marks.

Easy way:
Use a foam/cotton pad and apply swirl remover by hand.



Medium way:
Use a random orbiter and use any swirl remover.



Hard way but the best way:
Use a rotary buffer and some 3M swirl remover made for the rotary buffer.





It takes some practice to use a rotary buffer because it could "burn" your paint and cause holograms.

 

I use a liquid clear coat polishing compound and a small random orbital buffer, works great, just keep it moving so you don't burn through to the paint. Didn't have to put much pressure on it.

 

QUIXX Also works although am sure no bad advise has been given here...

 

best I seen and used is the Harley swirl remover. it does work and I like it better than others I have tried. Even took off some overspray from other paint and made the tank look new again...