Reflector Removal - One Fork is Discolored
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,707
Likes: 4
From: Newtown, PA
Reflector Removal - One Fork is Discolored
Yesterday, after reading all the posts on how to remove the front reflectors from the lower fork tubes, I removed my reflectors. I did the right fork first with hair dryer, fishing line and used Goo-Gone to remove the residue. As you can see from the attached photo, it looks fine. I did the exact procedure on the left fork tube but didn't get as good results. First of all, when I pulled off the left reflector after "sawing" through the backing with the fishing line, there was a good amount of the adhesive left on the fork. Using the hair dryer and Goo-Gone ultimately (after about 40 minutes) got the adhesive off, but the fork is discolored. The discolored area is totally smooth - there is no gouging, rough spots, etc. It kinda looks like the adhesive seeped its way into the clear coat or something.
The way it looks doesn't kill me, but I'd like to fix it if I could. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Richard...
The way it looks doesn't kill me, but I'd like to fix it if I could. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Richard...
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,269
Likes: 12
From: NJ
RE: Reflector Removal - One Fork is Discolored
You could wet sand the whole slider with 3000 grit paper and polish it. A lot of work but the marks will be gone and it will shine better than new. no more clear coat protection though. So once a month it will need a quick hand piolsh. I do this all the time to mine........no big deal
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 748
Likes: 1
RE: Reflector Removal - One Fork is Discolored
The factory clear coat on HD fork legs is paint. Looking at the pics you posted it looks like the clear coat has come off. Could be wrong but that's what I'm seeing. I suggest getting them powder coated to match the vivid black paint job! They'll look sweet and you won't have to worry about them getting all chipped up or dulled out like paint or chrome. If that's not in the budget right now you could either strip them and polish them up like HD7585 suggested or scuff em good and re-paint with a good clear.
If you need toremove any more reflectors or emblems I suggest using the heat sparringly to prevent over heating the paint and use a smooth plastic putty knife or bondo applicator to pull the part off... DON'T PRY!... get behind the piece and pull slowly. We do that all the time and never have problems.
Good luck!
If you need toremove any more reflectors or emblems I suggest using the heat sparringly to prevent over heating the paint and use a smooth plastic putty knife or bondo applicator to pull the part off... DON'T PRY!... get behind the piece and pull slowly. We do that all the time and never have problems.
Good luck!
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 64
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From:
RE: Reflector Removal - One Fork is Discolored
Hey,
I did the same thing last week but used Goof Off, which is to take off dried paint. I got these blotches that looked like the clear coat came off. Did the other with a hairdryer and it all came off fine. So I posted and plenty of people told me that they never had a problem with the fishing line, hairdryer and or Goo-Gone. But I think people like you and me just have a flaw in the coat. So, before I decided to do the whole sand off thing, I took some Goof-Off and rubbed it on the clear coat and it didn't do sh@t. I rubbed as hard as I could and it didn't do anything to the clearcoat so I doubt that was my problem. So, just got done sanding with 400 grit to 2000 grit method and tomorrow I am going to get some simichrome to finish it off. Good luck!
I did the same thing last week but used Goof Off, which is to take off dried paint. I got these blotches that looked like the clear coat came off. Did the other with a hairdryer and it all came off fine. So I posted and plenty of people told me that they never had a problem with the fishing line, hairdryer and or Goo-Gone. But I think people like you and me just have a flaw in the coat. So, before I decided to do the whole sand off thing, I took some Goof-Off and rubbed it on the clear coat and it didn't do sh@t. I rubbed as hard as I could and it didn't do anything to the clearcoat so I doubt that was my problem. So, just got done sanding with 400 grit to 2000 grit method and tomorrow I am going to get some simichrome to finish it off. Good luck!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,299
Likes: 2
From: By the "Betty water and the Wire"
RE: Reflector Removal - One Fork is Discolored
I'm by far no paint expert but I think maybe the heat was a lillte too much and it 'burned' the paint. I'm waiting to take the 'leap' and get mine powdered black.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,722
Likes: 7
RE: Reflector Removal - One Fork is Discolored
Another option is to cover it with chrome. I haven't done it so I don't know what the options or prices are but it looks good if you don't want to go black. The black looks good on both of the bobs for sure.
I know using a hair dryer is a popular suggestion for removing reflectors and badges and such and it's too late to say anything now but I removed my rear reflectors twice (once to move them to the struts when installing my rigid sideplates and again to remove them for good when I changed to detachables) and the front reflectors once. I did it in my garage and the bike was not hot nor had it been sitting in the heat. All I needed was some fishing line to saw the reflectors off which left a lot, if not most, of the adhesive behind. Then I was able to use my thumb with pressure to roll off the leftover adhesive. Then I used goo-gone to get the little bits off afterwards. I didn't use a hairdryer or any heat at all.
So, if anyone is reading this using the search later on, just get some strong, thin line, wrap it around a couple of fingers on each hands enough times to get a good hold on it and then just use a sawing motion to get the reflectors off. Then, deal with the adhesive separately. And never, ever use goof-off by mistake.
I know using a hair dryer is a popular suggestion for removing reflectors and badges and such and it's too late to say anything now but I removed my rear reflectors twice (once to move them to the struts when installing my rigid sideplates and again to remove them for good when I changed to detachables) and the front reflectors once. I did it in my garage and the bike was not hot nor had it been sitting in the heat. All I needed was some fishing line to saw the reflectors off which left a lot, if not most, of the adhesive behind. Then I was able to use my thumb with pressure to roll off the leftover adhesive. Then I used goo-gone to get the little bits off afterwards. I didn't use a hairdryer or any heat at all.
So, if anyone is reading this using the search later on, just get some strong, thin line, wrap it around a couple of fingers on each hands enough times to get a good hold on it and then just use a sawing motion to get the reflectors off. Then, deal with the adhesive separately. And never, ever use goof-off by mistake.
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clear, clearcoat, coat, discoloration, discolored, dyna, fork, lower, motorcycle, reflectors, removal, remove, removing, slider, tubes
