I have a dime size rock chip on my bat wing. My touch up paint skills leave a lot to be desired and it shows. What would a fair price be to have it repaired? I would leave it be and just might, but it is one of those things that sticks in my brain and my eye goes right to it when I look at the front of the bike.

Is there a DIY fix that I just don't know about or am I forced to take it to a shop?

spiz

 

Sure beats getting hit in face with it. Get one of those bullet hole stickers and place it over it.

 

Trick to using touch up paint is to buy a good very fine tipped paint brush and just dab the center of the chip. The paint will spread out on its own to fill in the chip. Let that dry and continue to do that until the chip is filled in to your satisfaction. Let dry between dabs. If your brave enough, build the chip up higher then the paint around it and use some 2000 fine wet sanding paper to blend it in. Just do a little wet sanding at a time so you don't cut through the clear coat. A little polish to get rid of the hazing from the wet sanding, some wax and if you did the job right, it will be hard to see the chip area. Yeah I know, easier said then done!!

 

Make an insurance claim. That would be covered under your comp coverage.

 

+1. This works great, but don't get in a hurry. If done right, you will be the only one who notices it.

 

OK, I decided to do it myself and see what happens. I am building it up and purchased some 2000 grit paper for the wet sanding. I will try not to get too much of the surrounding area with the sand paper but know it will happen at least a little. Should I be using 2500 or 3000 grit to smooth at the end before waxing? If it goes well I will post some pics. If not, a local shop will make a few bucks LOL.

spiz

 

After you sand with 2000 grit paper (make sure you wet sand it), you will need to us a rubbing compound to get rid of those scratches.

These guys make kits with everything you will need.
http://www.langka.com/chip-scratch-repair-c-21.html

Not associated with their products, but have used them with success.

 

Stick with some clear coat polish or a product that removes fine scratches first. If your not used to working with rubbing compound, you may do more damage then good.

 

Its a 03 bike what do you have to loose try it your self and you can have it painted by a pro if you screw up not like it is to earley for a paint job anyway

 

I would use in this order 1500 or 2000 grit then 2500 and 3000 if you can find it . Then a medium duty rubbing compound followed by a polish. I like mequires stuff my self. Im in the process of building mine up with paint right now to get it ready for wet sanding but mine is a tri coat and the touch up is 2 part.*&^% Oh ya when wet sanding put a little liquid dish soap in the water and it will sand a little easier cause the paper wont stick or you can wet sand with meguires detal spray. You can also run down to the local auto parts store and they do sell clear in small touch up bottles that you could brush over the top before sandind and rubbing also.
Dave