Shop painted VS. Factory painted .........
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,930
Likes: 4
From: OHIO......UGH !!
Shop painted VS. Factory painted .........
HI Gang,
Looking to add the painted inner fairing to my Ultra. What are the pros & cons regarding using the local paint shop, vs using a factory dealer painted inner ??
If I have the local shop paint it, will I have touble with it fitting back together correctly, ( paint thickness), and should the paint match as good as the factory painted unit.
I do think that it would be an advantage to have the new painted unit on hand , and ready to install as soon as you remove the factory, ( unpainted), one. Especially since I have a short memory !!
Anyone with pros/cons concerning going either way ??
And,....................who is the best dealer , as far as price on a painted inner/ lower console ??
What is a fair price for a local shop to charge for squirting the glacier white pearl, and will they have any trouble with the color match ??
WHEW !! I'm outta breath after all that !!
Looking to add the painted inner fairing to my Ultra. What are the pros & cons regarding using the local paint shop, vs using a factory dealer painted inner ??
If I have the local shop paint it, will I have touble with it fitting back together correctly, ( paint thickness), and should the paint match as good as the factory painted unit.
I do think that it would be an advantage to have the new painted unit on hand , and ready to install as soon as you remove the factory, ( unpainted), one. Especially since I have a short memory !!
Anyone with pros/cons concerning going either way ??
And,....................who is the best dealer , as far as price on a painted inner/ lower console ??
What is a fair price for a local shop to charge for squirting the glacier white pearl, and will they have any trouble with the color match ??
WHEW !! I'm outta breath after all that !!
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,505
Likes: 380
From: Florida
Factory painted = wait time for inner to arrive, higher cost overall but less actual downtime.
Local painter = Pick and choose your painter, less costly and shorter wait time but more down time unless you buy a used inner.
Local painter = Pick and choose your painter, less costly and shorter wait time but more down time unless you buy a used inner.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 613
Likes: 2
From: Tallmadge, Ohio
I just went through this same thought process and decided to go with a factory painted inner and then when it arrives, I will take the old one off, put the new one on---as you said, memory can be fleeting---I can then send the old one out for paint and either keep it for backup(unlikely) or try and sell it and get some of the money back or just sell it in black and let somebody else have it painted. I think that the painting process from the factory MAY be better or more consistent but it depends on the painter which also determines price and therefore may not cost justify doing it. It's probably half dozen one way or the others.. If you go the painter, you will have to keep this updated with costs and install time. I wish somebody would do a video on changing one out. Would be a lot easier to see it done once before attempting it. At least the pitfalls to look for would be described ahead of time. I have read on the forum that it should only take about 45 minutes for an experiences person to replace one but the local stealer says it is a 3 hour charge. That's a lot of bucks so get your shop/part manuals out and start reading.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 6
From: Indiana
From my watching and helping, had I needed to read the service manual and do it myself, I'd say you are looking at 60-90 minutes (you still really need a second set of hands getting it on, since it helps to have somebody do so some wiggling if needed while the other person tries to get the screws in.)
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,034
Likes: 45
From: Michigan
I took all day removing and replacing mine.. actually about 3 hours to remove it and like 3 to install after i painted but i took my time and i didnt have a second set of hands and didnt need one... I removed everything but the radio and the brackets and popped it off and I installed it the same way.. Plenty of rags around anything that could scratch the new paind and get r done 
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,094
Likes: 5
From: SE Wisconsin
Yea, a step by step would be great.
Any one up to it?
I'll be doing one soon, I can take pictures but I have a feeling I might end up taking more apart then I need to.
Any one up to it?
I'll be doing one soon, I can take pictures but I have a feeling I might end up taking more apart then I need to.
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,117
Likes: 4
From: Log home in SE Michigan full time. Log cabin in east TN, Smoky Mountians part time
I would opt for a local painter. HD has enough problems applying paint to the production bikes. As others have suggested buy a used inner and have it painted. To paint the inner and lower trim panel would be about $150. Get a service manual and mark every wire you take off from the guages.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,034
Likes: 45
From: Michigan
...I can kinda do one without pics well i guess i did take some pics of mine but i never refered to them