Paint Touch Up Technique

[JimLor]

I generally whack the living hell outta my side bags so I've got quite a few dings, scars, and now a hunk of white paint or something on the bags. I'm at the point where I'd like to do some touch up painting. I got the appropriate paint and would like to hear what some of you have found to be a good technique. If no one answers this post, I intent to clean the area with mineral spirits, apply the touch up paint as sparingly as possible, let it dry, and then rub away with auto polishing compound. That sound reasonable? Thanks. Jim

 

[garauld]

Hi Jim, you neglected to mention what kind of touchup paint you are using. Assuming it's the dabber type touchup pen, I would sparingly, fill in the gouges with the paint - let dry very well and then gently wet sand with some 1000 or 1500 grit paper wrapped around a stiff rubber backer that you can buy at any auto store. Very carefully, sand off any high touchup spots trying not to sand the original clear paint. When satisfied, buff it out with plastic polish - the stuff you would use on your windshield. If the bag cover is totally messed up, you can have it painted at a local body shop or send itto me and I will repaint it - I've already done one for a fellow rider.

 

[JimLor]

Hi Jim, you neglected to mention what kind of touchup paint you are using. Assuming it's the dabber type touchup pen, I would sparingly, fill in the gouges with the paint - let dry very well and then gently wet sand with some 1000 or 1500 grit paper wrapped around a stiff rubber backer that you can buy at any auto store. Very carefully, sand off any high touchup spots trying not to sand the original clear paint. When satisfied, buff it out with plastic polish - the stuff you would use on your windshield. If the bag cover is totally messed up, you can have it painted at a local body shop or send itto me and I will repaint it - I've already done one for a fellow rider.

Oops, didn't mean to add the quote.

Thanks garauld; yes it's the colorite stuff. I've considered having both lids repainted, but figure I'll continue to whack at 'em so I'll just try and keep up for now. I "assume" that 1k or 1.5k wet sandpaper will act as a polisher and won't screw up the area around the new paint. I use Plexis on the shield as a cleaner, I'll buy some plastic "polisher." That said, when is it appropriate to use a plastic polisher on the windscreen? I've had Maxine for 11 months now (6 months w/stock and 5 months w/CB shield) and besides the one or two rock chips, don't really have any appreciable scratches. Is it a good idea to apply polisher to the screen every xx months or so?

Thanks again, appreciate your experience and reply.

 

[garauld]

Maybe this should be a separate thread, but I'll quickly hijack it. I have taken major scratches out of windshields by following a straightforward process. The scratch is removed by wetsanding with coarse (400 or 500) grit sandpaper. When the scratch is gone, a succession of finer paper is used; 600, 1000, 1500, 2000 untill all the previous grit marks are removed. After the 2000, the plastic polishing compound is used. Car paint polish can be used as well, although I don't think it is as fine as plastic polish. Car paint is plastic too...

 

[Groo]

Hijack or not, Thanks G! I never knew you could take dents/scratches out of windshields... I've had them in my stocker since the first month, and figured I just had to live with them! I'll give that a try... :thumbsup:

 

[JimLor]

I've got some scratches (self induced) on my gauge lens(s) - I'll give the plastic polish a try on them.

 

[twowheelnut]

G's got the route to go...

You can scan thie site for additional info and products: https://www.automotivetouchup.com/

 

[garauld]

BTW, this scratch removal technique can also work on faceshields. Bear in mind that some shields are covered with a protective coating and this may make them worse....

 

[Groo]

G... I've got some faceshield scratches (one directly in my line of sight that really bugs the crap out of me) that I'll give it a shot on as well.

Thanks a million

 

[twowheelnut]

BTW, this scratch removal technique can also work on faceshields. Bear in mind that some shields are covered with a protective coating and this may make them worse....

I find that the isinglass cleaner and polish that I used on the my boats works great on face and wind shields and the map pocket covers (cuz that's isinglass), FWIW...

 

[slapnpop]

I've also had good luck on lexan using one of the CD scratch repair devises as an intermediate step between sandpaper and polish, and for really light scratches just that and polish.

The type I'm refering to are the disc-doctor type with the crank handle or electric powered. Just remove the bottom portion and use the rotating pad to work the scratched area. If you modify one to remove all the drive portions for the CD bed, and ad some felt to the back end as a slide, it works REALLY well on flat surfaces (or slightly convex).

 

[rogdeb]

Great info guys

Thanks for starting the thread JimLor

 

[yamahlr]

Real interesting stuff. Guess it's time to retire the Makita w/ the 40 grit disc

 

[jwilly]

Garauld,

Where do you buy your touch up paint? I looked at Color Rite, has anyone used the aerosol can from them?

Thanx,

-jwilly

 

[garauld]

Garauld,Where do you buy your touch up paint? I looked at Color Rite, has anyone used the aerosol can from them?

Thanx,

-jwilly

Hi jwilly, I buy PPG Deltron Urethane from a local auto refinsher supply store, not Colorite.

 

[JimLor]

gaurald - if I finally get to the point where I'm doing touch-up with a 4" paintbrush, and if you don't mind posting here, what would you charge to repaint 2 x Galaxy Blue sidebag lids?

Thanks and thanks to all for the info.

Jim

 

[Sparky]

Speaking of Galaxy Blue touch up paint, does anyone know the color code for the Yamaha stuff for the '06. I got some from the dealer, but it doesn't appear to be a good match. Thinking it was the previous Blue rather than the '06 formula.

 

[garauld]

gaurald - if I finally get to the point where I'm doing touch-up with a 4" paintbrush, and if you don't mind posting here, what would you charge to repaint 2 x Galaxy Blue sidebag lids?Thanks and thanks to all for the info.

Jim

Jim, I can do a pair of them for $150 or a single one for $100, plus shipping.

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

Speaking of Galaxy Blue touch up paint, does anyone know the color code for the Yamaha stuff for the '06. I got some from the dealer, but it doesn't appear to be a good match. Thinking it was the previous Blue rather than the '06 formula.

The colorite web site has the '06 Cobalt blue........

g....thanks for the tips. Don't need them now but I will eventually.....