Phantom Blue Matte Paint encounter

So I am finding myself once again in uncharted FJR waters, trying to ascertain how this Phantom Blue Matter finish is going to handle the load.

Is this paint going to be durable? Or will it be sensitive to normal, everyday use?

How well will it withstand Endurance Riding mode?

For that matter, how well will it tolerate the normal "hold your breath" new ownership moments, as you get rid of all the nanny-state decals/reflectors?

Thankfully, the answer to the latter is: it tolerated it well.


The fuel tank decal is a nasty orange/white one residing above the fuel tank filler cap. It is in two parts: the decal itself, and a clear-coat cover over the decal.

Classic gentle application of your Heat Gun and thumbnail gets both of them off without a lot of drama.

I did use a touch of WD40 on some very little amount glue goo left behind, followed immediately with a rinse of 50% alcohol, 50% water.

Final result:







Hard Bag reflectors took much longer, because I was going sloooooooow with the Heat Gun (not knowing how the Matte is going to do, recall). Found out I unfortunately used too light of a nylon fishing line to work the adhesive off... it kept breaking on me - very irritating.

Finally got the left Hard Bag free of it's goofy-ass reflector, here it is next to the right for comparison:





The right bag did not want to come off as well as the left bag.

It was a bit of a struggle, but the Heat Gun and muscle-******* it won the day, it finally came off with a satisfying "pop", just like the prior bag.

Again, a bath with 50%/50% water alcohol, dry it with a microfiber towel, and there is not even a hint of an outline of where the nanny-reflector used to reside. These are how FJR1300 hard bags are supposed to look:




VERDICT SO FAR:

I bet that was a relief....

Absolutely a great color!

I really wouldn't know what to do with a NEW bike- I have only owned 1.

Congrats!

Bags do look better clean.

That color is growing on me. My first response was hell no. I still don't like the shiny black with the matte blue. A little carbon fiber wrapping would take care of that though.

Joe

L.

graler said:

I still don't like the shiny black with the matte blue.

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When I first looked at the tail section, I thought there was a layer of fine dust on it. Nope.... it has a rather heavy-duty layer of metallic in the gloss black tail section.

And I couldn't tell until I saw it in daylight.... it is subtle gold metallic.

I guess with a top-case, you'll hardly notice the black anyway..

Anyone here in the vinyl business? Time to start looking for a match for the blue..

At least the side panels aren't silver any more.

Matte color photographs well.

No reflections and reduced glare.

OMG! With the sticker gone, how will you ever remember that gasoline is flammable?!?!

Color looks nice in the photos, and I'll bet she's gorgeous in the sunlight.

Uncle Hud said:

OMG! With the sticker gone, how will you ever remember that gasoline is flammable?!?!

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Good point... I guess I am a Thrillseeker!

Color looks nice in the photos, and I'll bet she's gorgeous in the sunlight.

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The more I look at it, the more I like it.

It is *vastly* different from clear-coat gloss paint... I always have the high-gloss metallic black tail section, if I feel the need to wax some clear-coat paint. (Latter doesn't happen very often).

me likey...very sharp...I have a matte black helmet and find that Turtle Ice synthetic wax works good..

Is the side panel paint the same as the tail section?

Now when your fuel cap is open people will quite logically think it is an ash tray, and then KABOOM.... You've been warned.

I like the color a lot......butter seat.....JK and Congrats!

Doesn't that warning sticker also remind you to wear a helmet. Now you're gonna forget and bump your ugly head. Don't say you weren't warned!!

Damn, fellas.... perhaps I should put that sticker back on, I wasn't aware of its critical importance!

Well.... no.