Just ruined a $4k custom paint job...
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 695
Likes: 13
From: New Braunfels, TX
Shouldn't have happened.
I wouldn't try to get the same jackasses to fix it, I'd try to get my money back and take it somewhere else.
They didn't just screw up on the prep, the also screwed up between the color and clear coats. Not even sure they scrounged up 1/4 *** on that job.
I wouldn't try to get the same jackasses to fix it, I'd try to get my money back and take it somewhere else.
They didn't just screw up on the prep, the also screwed up between the color and clear coats. Not even sure they scrounged up 1/4 *** on that job.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 827
Likes: 3
From: NW Florida
Most car wash pressure washers are set at a low enough pressure as not to damage paint on vehicles. A home pressure washer, depending on the pressure could indeed lift paint, as someone stated earlier, can blow away concrete. You may check with the car wash, if used, about a faulty pressure setting for that day. You may have a claim against them.
My friend in Tucson used to paint cars and used to warranty his paint jobs and part of his warranty stated, no car wash/pressure washers for 6 months were to be used on the painted vehicles as part of the warranty. Not really comparable to a $4000. paint job, but I still don't trust those pressure washers on any of my vehicles.
My friend in Tucson used to paint cars and used to warranty his paint jobs and part of his warranty stated, no car wash/pressure washers for 6 months were to be used on the painted vehicles as part of the warranty. Not really comparable to a $4000. paint job, but I still don't trust those pressure washers on any of my vehicles.
Last edited by 73oldsman; Sep 29, 2014 at 04:48 PM. Reason: additional info
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,719
Likes: 60
From: Los Angeles
I don't know anything about the quality of your paint job.
All I know is I highly recommend investing in a 3 buck garden spray bottle. Mix in a little Turtle Wax Ice wash with regular water.
You spray down the bike with that and wipe with a micro fiber cloth, and you're good.
I've been washing my bike like that about a year now. Works great.
Once in a blue moon I might actually break out a garden hose with the Turtle Wax Ice, but that's about it.
All I know is I highly recommend investing in a 3 buck garden spray bottle. Mix in a little Turtle Wax Ice wash with regular water.
You spray down the bike with that and wipe with a micro fiber cloth, and you're good.
I've been washing my bike like that about a year now. Works great.
Once in a blue moon I might actually break out a garden hose with the Turtle Wax Ice, but that's about it.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 449
Likes: 3
From: England
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 15,363
Likes: 24,227
From: NC, USA
Unless the pressure washer had the pencil beam attachment on the end I can't see how it could lift off paint. I use the local commercial wash station near my house and practically touch the paint with the end of the nozzle and I've had that truck since 1993 and it hasn't peeled off yet.
I bucket wash my bikes, rinse them with a solo plastic drink cup and use a leaf blower to dry. I won't even let a garden hose near them, I know exactly what would happen.
I bucket wash my bikes, rinse them with a solo plastic drink cup and use a leaf blower to dry. I won't even let a garden hose near them, I know exactly what would happen.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 530
Likes: 57
From: The South
Ditto. Unless you were pressure washing it with a sand blaster that shouldn't have happened. The local HD dealership actually uses a high pressure washer to wash all bikes that come in for service. I'm not a big fan of that as the "minimum wage" employee that is doing the job holds the wand WAY to close to the bike for my comfort. I made the mistake of watching him wash my bike and I was cringing everytime I saw him get within inches of hitting my bike's surface with that damn metal wand!