Tank Clear Coat Getting Scratched
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 3,442
Likes: 1,429
From: pensacola fl
It is very difficult to partially remove a coating from a panel, reapply the coating, and for it to look right. Maybe recently applied coating, but not one thats been on for a while. Ive tried on the top of the door one time. I ended up redoing the whole door. Bicycle handlebars leave some nice markings.
5th Gear
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 9
Likes: 3
From: Libya
The best way to protect the tank is as follows.
If the tank has, indeed, been ceramic coated and is fading, then you need to completely clean the tank. Then use a clay bar to remove the ceramic coating. You don't need to strip the entire tank,, just make sure to feather it really well. Then wipe the whole tank down with and isopropyl alcohol cleaner to remove all contamination.
Use a really good ceramic coating like Armor Shield IX. This, IMHO, is the best.
After that, clear vinyl protectors as reference above.
If the tank has, indeed, been ceramic coated and is fading, then you need to completely clean the tank. Then use a clay bar to remove the ceramic coating. You don't need to strip the entire tank,, just make sure to feather it really well. Then wipe the whole tank down with and isopropyl alcohol cleaner to remove all contamination.
Use a really good ceramic coating like Armor Shield IX. This, IMHO, is the best.
After that, clear vinyl protectors as reference above.
5th Gear
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 9
Likes: 3
From: Libya
hi guys , 2021 Softail slim which I adore has unfortunately fallen over yesterday 😔 aside from the left indicator having been squashed, the beautiful tank is dented badly (pic attached)
I want to know what touch up can I do and which clear cost to get the lost paint filled up again. Im in two minds whether to fix the tank and thought would leave it as a battle scar ( saving me money) as long as it has no detriment to the bike. FYI, rode it over 100km in that state.
cheers
I want to know what touch up can I do and which clear cost to get the lost paint filled up again. Im in two minds whether to fix the tank and thought would leave it as a battle scar ( saving me money) as long as it has no detriment to the bike. FYI, rode it over 100km in that state.
cheers
The best way to protect the tank is as follows.
If the tank has, indeed, been ceramic coated and is fading, then you need to completely clean the tank. Then use a clay bar to remove the ceramic coating. You don't need to strip the entire tank,, just make sure to feather it really well. Then wipe the whole tank down with and isopropyl alcohol cleaner to remove all contamination.
Use a really good ceramic coating like Armor Shield IX. This, IMHO, is the best.
After that, clear vinyl protectors as reference above.
If the tank has, indeed, been ceramic coated and is fading, then you need to completely clean the tank. Then use a clay bar to remove the ceramic coating. You don't need to strip the entire tank,, just make sure to feather it really well. Then wipe the whole tank down with and isopropyl alcohol cleaner to remove all contamination.
Use a really good ceramic coating like Armor Shield IX. This, IMHO, is the best.
After that, clear vinyl protectors as reference above.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 12,258
Likes: 4,947
From: England
Polish them out once per year and put up with the rest of the time till you get back to the annual polish.
Doing it annually on a bike you want to keep for a few years maybe. Keeping a bike for a long, long time I say that is risking a burn through at some point.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 10,767
From: SE Michigan
There is only a finite amount of clear coat. How thick is it I don't know. Keep polishing it and you will go through it.
Doing it annually on a bike you want to keep for a few years maybe. Keeping a bike for a long, long time I say that is risking a burn through at some point.
Doing it annually on a bike you want to keep for a few years maybe. Keeping a bike for a long, long time I say that is risking a burn through at some point.
no need to correct hard more than once unless you refuse to wash it properly, my second time around was a light polish
my guess is that corrections on average remove about 5-10% of the clear coat....from what I see, most oem paint manufacturers think the max removed before clear coat failure should be about 25%
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