Clearcoat Problem
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 863
Likes: 1
From: Dover, DE
After seeing the pictures it's definitely a surface contamination issue of some kind...guy on the line might have been eating a big greasy burger and grab the thing as it was going down the line..who knows. I would definitely pursue the issue with the dealer.
There's no damage to the fender that can cause that kind of popping. It could be a number of reasons why but something from underneath is pushing the clear off.
n8dc Are you the same guy that use to call me for delam warranty claims years ago???
There's no damage to the fender that can cause that kind of popping. It could be a number of reasons why but something from underneath is pushing the clear off.
n8dc Are you the same guy that use to call me for delam warranty claims years ago???
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 821
Likes: 1
From: In the wind
+1 thats is excatly what I was gonna say. It sure looks like brake fluid damage
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 820
Likes: 1
From: Sunny Saint Petersburg Florida
Have to agree with the others. Not damage from brake fluid. A definate contamination of fender during paint prep. Although with urathanes I would think you would have fisheyes or similar. Most likly something dripped (during prep) then cleared over.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,034
Likes: 45
From: Michigan
After seeing the pictures it's definitely a surface contamination issue of some kind...guy on the line might have been eating a big greasy burger and grab the thing as it was going down the line..who knows. I would definitely pursue the issue with the dealer.
There's no damage to the fender that can cause that kind of popping. It could be a number of reasons why but something from underneath is pushing the clear off.
n8dc Are you the same guy that use to call me for delam warranty claims years ago???
There's no damage to the fender that can cause that kind of popping. It could be a number of reasons why but something from underneath is pushing the clear off.
n8dc Are you the same guy that use to call me for delam warranty claims years ago???
... nope
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From: Brandon, SD
Ok lets talk about clear coat thickness too. It has absolutely nothing to do with adhesion of the clear coat to the base coat. It may have something to do with UV protection as far as fading and stuff but if its not sticking its not sticking and thats that. Sorry but i used to have a paint and body business and thats poor surface prep or a contaminated surface period.. end of discussion... The real problem is SH*T happens even with the pros.. Ive been thru it all and all the ISO 9000 / 900 whatever crap and again SH(T happens...
Sorry but i used to have a paint and body business and thats poor surface prep or a contaminated surface period.. end of discussion... The real problem is SH*T happens even with the pros.. Ive been thru it all and all the ISO 9000 / 900 whatever crap and again SH(T happens...
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,183
Likes: 836
From: KMHT KFMY
vivid black fender.... not a problem
Any body shop can shoot it in DBC code 99 and you'll never know the difference from the HD paint.
If you want proof I have a gunmetal gray fender I shot in DBC 99 and cleared that is sitting up in my attic and you can't tell it from vivid black when it is on the bike.... I repaired my 03 vivid black fender rather than loose the 03 decal, but I already bought and painted the fender before I decided to tin knock the one that was on the bike.
and yes I used the same paint on the 03 fender... can't tell it isn't factory
want to buy it cheap?
Any body shop can shoot it in DBC code 99 and you'll never know the difference from the HD paint.
If you want proof I have a gunmetal gray fender I shot in DBC 99 and cleared that is sitting up in my attic and you can't tell it from vivid black when it is on the bike.... I repaired my 03 vivid black fender rather than loose the 03 decal, but I already bought and painted the fender before I decided to tin knock the one that was on the bike.
and yes I used the same paint on the 03 fender... can't tell it isn't factory
want to buy it cheap?
Last edited by Neggy ZRXOA 5248; Jun 18, 2009 at 06:09 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 216
Likes: 1
From: Ohio
Well having done garage painting for the past 15 years, self taught I have made a lot of mistakes when painting. They all pretty much boil down to surface prep as the causative factor. Anyway if the MOCO fixes it you are at their mercy as to how they wanna do it BUT if you gotta pay for it, spend the extra cash and have it stripped, epoxy primed, sealed then repainted and cleared. A spot repair doesn't eliminate the possibility of another spot reappearing later somewhere else if it is bad surface prep. Just a suggestion.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,650
Likes: 539
From: BHC, Arizona
While H-D's paint process may be very good there are still quality issues that slip thru, parts painted on a Friday or Monday, or the day after payday.
There was a perfect handprint, complete with prints underneath the clearcoat of my left saddlebag (vivid black). It was in a place where it was concealed by the saddlebag rails.
H-D replaced the bag, all the time swearing it was impossible for anyone to touch the bag during the paint process.
AP
There was a perfect handprint, complete with prints underneath the clearcoat of my left saddlebag (vivid black). It was in a place where it was concealed by the saddlebag rails.
H-D replaced the bag, all the time swearing it was impossible for anyone to touch the bag during the paint process.
AP
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 661
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis, IN
Update!!
One of the local dealers has been communicating with the moco about my problem. The dealer took photos and submitted the problem to customer service. Well, after 3 weeks of waiting, I got a call from the dealer this morning indicating the claim was being denied because they (the moco) felt is was not a manufacturing defect but rather caused by "something" getting on the paint that damaged the clearcoat. I called customer service and calmly asked for someone to explain to me how any chemical could penetrate the clearcoat causing it to lift from the color coat without damaging the clearcoat. That was the key! There are no cracks, chips, holes, etc. to allow any chemical to get beneath the clearcoat. She called the dealer to verify the condition of the paint she went back and talked to the manager of the tech that originally denied the claim. Final decision............ the moco authorized the dealer to replace the fender! I assume having an extended warranty played a role in the final decision, but perhaps not. In any case, I'm a happy camper. I will also say that the lady I spoke with in customer service this morning was very cordial and helpful. It would have been easy for her to tell me there is nothing else she could do, but I think she went above and beyond in talking to the right people to help solve my problem. A good experience with the moco. I guess it does happen.
Thanks for all the thoughts and input.
One of the local dealers has been communicating with the moco about my problem. The dealer took photos and submitted the problem to customer service. Well, after 3 weeks of waiting, I got a call from the dealer this morning indicating the claim was being denied because they (the moco) felt is was not a manufacturing defect but rather caused by "something" getting on the paint that damaged the clearcoat. I called customer service and calmly asked for someone to explain to me how any chemical could penetrate the clearcoat causing it to lift from the color coat without damaging the clearcoat. That was the key! There are no cracks, chips, holes, etc. to allow any chemical to get beneath the clearcoat. She called the dealer to verify the condition of the paint she went back and talked to the manager of the tech that originally denied the claim. Final decision............ the moco authorized the dealer to replace the fender! I assume having an extended warranty played a role in the final decision, but perhaps not. In any case, I'm a happy camper. I will also say that the lady I spoke with in customer service this morning was very cordial and helpful. It would have been easy for her to tell me there is nothing else she could do, but I think she went above and beyond in talking to the right people to help solve my problem. A good experience with the moco. I guess it does happen.
Thanks for all the thoughts and input.
