Scratched my saddlebag...
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 32
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Scratched my saddlebag...
2011 Electra Glide Ultra Limited, 2 tone Root Beer..Was putting a torx screwdriver in my tour pack today, dropped the screwdriver, must have dropped straight down. Took a 3/8" gouge through the paint, to bare fiberglass? It is right on the back, and noticeable when standing behind it.I know, some will say oh well? it happens? and i agree, but it is literally the ONLY blemish on the bike, now. I tried filling it with wax, to take the curse off, as the bags must be white to gray underneath? What kind of recommendations are out there? It looks as if it is a key scratch, about that width.. I get a sick feeling, every time i walk behind the bike now..
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
most used cars lots have someone they can call out to do small touch ups ( I have a Pal who does this- air tank in his trunk, he color matches by eye, fills scratches dings and etc.)-
so you could call around and see who they use
and pick up a little touch up paint at the dealer so they have the correct paint
keep the wax out or any thing which would prevent new paint from sticking
mike
so you could call around and see who they use
and pick up a little touch up paint at the dealer so they have the correct paint
keep the wax out or any thing which would prevent new paint from sticking
mike
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,169
Likes: 2
From: New Orleans
Your local HD dealer can sell you a small bottle of touch-up paint that will match exactly. It's a bottle the size of white out (if anyone remembers white out). Just like white out it comes with a small brush attached to the lid.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 102
From: Central Illinois
If you get the H-D touch up kit it will have the paint and clear coat. Wash out the wax then after its dry, lightly touch up the gouge. Let it dry overnight then do it again the next day. Maybe even do it again after one more day. They after that put the clear coat touch up on and let it dry. May have to do a second coat of that also to get the gouge surface even with the good paint. Then I use Scratch-X to polish the area to smooth it out some, but don't rub too much or that touch up will rub right out.
If you just cannot stand it and decide to fix it, do not have someone try to repaint the bag, just buy a new one through H-D in your color. Repaints are never as good of quality or completely match.
If you just cannot stand it and decide to fix it, do not have someone try to repaint the bag, just buy a new one through H-D in your color. Repaints are never as good of quality or completely match.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 173
From: Simi Valley, CA
Paint Chip Touch-Up
I'm an old body shop and paint guy. Don't do it anymore but did a lot of custom cars and bikes back in the 70's and Ive done touch-up repairs as described below on both of my current bikes.
Be sure to use a urethane clear coat for best results. Acrylic lacquer, as found in many touch-up kits, will not perform as well. Im not sure what type of paint the HD touch-up paints are but Id bet theyre acrylic lacquer. The color coat is not as critical to the type of paint as is the clear coat.
This is the best process I've found for touching up chips (short of repainting the entire panel)...
1) Using the edge of a razor blade or Exacto knife, test the margins of the chip for adhesion and carefully chip/trim away any paint that is not firmly adhered to the substrate.
2) Clean the damaged area using a cotton swap and solvent. Enamel reducer or alcohol is my solvent of choice as it will not damage the existing painted surface.
3) With a fine tip artists brush fill the chip with the appropriate color. Do not try to make the color coat flush to the existing painted surface. You need room for the clear-coat. Minimize any application of paint outside the margins of the chip being repaired. As with most paint applications, multiple thin coats/layers are preferable to trying to fill the chip in one coat.
4) Allow the color coat to dry thoroughly. It will shrink a little as it dries and if you did step 3 correctly the touched-up color surface will be slightly lower than the existing paint surface.
5) Carefully clean any excess color that may have exceeded the margin of the chip. If you're really careful a new and sharp single edge razor blade works well. Very fine (1000G - 1500G or finer) wet-or-dry sandpaper is another option.
6) Again, using your artists brush, apply the clear coat in thin coats until the chip is filled flush or slightly higher than the existing paint surface. Allow to dry thoroughly between coats and overnight or longer for the final coat.
7) Wet sand the repaired area with 1000G - 1500G or finer wet-or-dry paper.
8) Polish the repaired area.
It takes some time and patience, but done correctly, this process will yield a virtually undetectable repair on solid colors such as black, white, red, etc. Other colors such as metallics, pearls, etc., are more difficult because it's very difficult to match the lay of the metallic when touching-up with a brush, although the repair can still be done pretty darn nicely.
All of the materials needed can be obtained at most automotive paint supply stores.
Hope this helps.
I'm an old body shop and paint guy. Don't do it anymore but did a lot of custom cars and bikes back in the 70's and Ive done touch-up repairs as described below on both of my current bikes.
Be sure to use a urethane clear coat for best results. Acrylic lacquer, as found in many touch-up kits, will not perform as well. Im not sure what type of paint the HD touch-up paints are but Id bet theyre acrylic lacquer. The color coat is not as critical to the type of paint as is the clear coat.
This is the best process I've found for touching up chips (short of repainting the entire panel)...
1) Using the edge of a razor blade or Exacto knife, test the margins of the chip for adhesion and carefully chip/trim away any paint that is not firmly adhered to the substrate.
2) Clean the damaged area using a cotton swap and solvent. Enamel reducer or alcohol is my solvent of choice as it will not damage the existing painted surface.
3) With a fine tip artists brush fill the chip with the appropriate color. Do not try to make the color coat flush to the existing painted surface. You need room for the clear-coat. Minimize any application of paint outside the margins of the chip being repaired. As with most paint applications, multiple thin coats/layers are preferable to trying to fill the chip in one coat.
4) Allow the color coat to dry thoroughly. It will shrink a little as it dries and if you did step 3 correctly the touched-up color surface will be slightly lower than the existing paint surface.
5) Carefully clean any excess color that may have exceeded the margin of the chip. If you're really careful a new and sharp single edge razor blade works well. Very fine (1000G - 1500G or finer) wet-or-dry sandpaper is another option.
6) Again, using your artists brush, apply the clear coat in thin coats until the chip is filled flush or slightly higher than the existing paint surface. Allow to dry thoroughly between coats and overnight or longer for the final coat.
7) Wet sand the repaired area with 1000G - 1500G or finer wet-or-dry paper.
8) Polish the repaired area.
It takes some time and patience, but done correctly, this process will yield a virtually undetectable repair on solid colors such as black, white, red, etc. Other colors such as metallics, pearls, etc., are more difficult because it's very difficult to match the lay of the metallic when touching-up with a brush, although the repair can still be done pretty darn nicely.
All of the materials needed can be obtained at most automotive paint supply stores.
Hope this helps.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,341
Likes: 9
From: Woodinville, WA
The dealership I bought my bike from has a guy they use - same day paint. He can restore any paint blemish to factory perfect and he does it on metalic paint too. Frankly I don't know how they do what they do - it's magic. The dealership uses him for everything paint related. They never attempt a paint repair themselves unlike some shops I know. It runs anything from about $150 and up. Simple jobs are relatively inexpensive. If you want it done right this is the type of servce you need. Don't suppose you're in my area? If you are I'll pm the guy's name to you.
The compay is: http://www.sameday-usa.com/ The guy that does work for the dealer does a bit more than simple scratch repairs if necessary.
I've used him for a car scratched by the paws of a dog and my bike's had paint repair at the dealership.
The compay is: http://www.sameday-usa.com/ The guy that does work for the dealer does a bit more than simple scratch repairs if necessary.
I've used him for a car scratched by the paws of a dog and my bike's had paint repair at the dealership.
Last edited by davessworks; Jun 10, 2012 at 11:28 PM.
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