Get rid of motorcycle scratches
The first scratch hurts, especially on the little gem we just bought! But whichever bike you love, and depending on the size of the scratch, there are several ways to get rid of it.
Difficult level: Not easy
Equipment
– A tube of anti-scratch eraser, such as Ipone's Stop'Scratch or car scratch remover (about 5 euros).
– A bottle of retouching pen (our model: €4,90).
– Sandpaper with water sheets, grit 220 (fine), 400 or 600 (extra fine).
- Bowl.
– Spray paint (about 10 euros per piece).
- Roll of tape
Etiquette
If you are disassembling and preparing the coating for painting by a professional, do not tell him if you have used rags or polish containing silicones to care for your motorcycle. In this case, he must use a special tool so as not to miss the first painting.
1 - Use a scratch remover.
If the scratch on the paint is limited to small scratches, they can be removed with a tube of scratch remover paste such as Ipone's Stop'Scratch. The surface must first be clean. Then it is necessary to apply the product with a dry cloth or moistened with cotton wool. Rub in a circular motion, more or less hard depending on the size of the scratches. Leave it on for a few moments, wipe it off. Repeat the operation if necessary.
2 - Touch up with a mini brush
To make necessary repairs after a chip or scratch showing a different color under the paint, use a bottle with a car retouching pen. You just need to buy a pen that matches the color of the spray paint (see Choosing a Color in Chapter 3). For touch-up, skim as much as possible on the amount of paint applied to avoid drips and "blocks". This paint dries very quickly, flattening on the surface. (more on page 2).
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3 - Choose the right color
Motorcycle manufacturers rarely offer paint for the models they sell. Fortunately, there is a huge selection of paints from car manufacturers. You will still have to choose the right color for retouching. Don't make the mistake of relying on the color of aerosol caps available from specialty stores or supermarkets. Check with your paint department because they always have multiple color charts. These complete sets of sample papers allow you to compare the colors in the color chart with the color of your motorcycle. Obviously, it's easier to go to the store with a motorcycle part (like a side cover). The color reference in the color chart allows you to buy the right spray. Make this choice in daylight: artificial light distorts colors.
4 - Sand down with water-based paper
If the chip or scratch is too deep for the anti-scratch eraser to work, you will need to flatten the surface. Use a very fine 400 or 600 grit sandpaper (actually wet sanding paper for sanding car bodies and you will find it in the automotive department of supermarkets). Cut off a small piece of the leaf and soak it slightly in water from a bowl. Then sand the exact spot of the damaged area by repeating small circles. Sanding is necessary to remove varnish and prepare old paint for hanging items. You will feel when the surface is smooth. Then you can move on to touching up the paint.
5 - Protect with tape
If the scratch you want to fix is on a removable trim, remove it to make it easier to work with. Otherwise, for spray painting, it will be necessary to protect from a cloud of paint everything that will be exposed on the motorcycle and does not touch the damaged surface. Likewise, if the item in question is of a different color, adhesive paper and newspaper should be used to delineate the area to be repainted. Rolls of adhesive paper intended for this use are sold at paint shops. (more on page 3).
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6 - draw like an artist
You should paint in a well-ventilated area and, above all, protected from dust, at an average ambient temperature. Excessive cold or heat will interfere with a beautiful painting. Spray cans and fairing parts should be around 20 ° C. Shake the bomb vigorously to mix well. Spray about twenty centimeters. Work in successive strokes, letting it dry for a few seconds between each coat, until the color is uniform. Two minutes between each pass is enough for the new layer to hold without spreading. In the event of a leak, since this paint dries very quickly, you must immediately and completely clean the leaked piece with a suitable solvent before starting work again. The more patience you have with multiple coats, the prettier your paint and regular surface finishes will be.
7 - Let it dry
The paint dries quickly, but it is best to allow it to cure for a day before peeling off the adhesive paper or reassembling if the part has been disassembled. If you want to tint with a second color, wait until the paint is completely dry and hard to the touch, then use sheets of paper and tape with special paint to mask the already painted part that needs to be protected. Spray another color in the same way as above. If you don't feel like you have the ability to spray paint successfully, you can disassemble the relevant part very well and hand it over to a car body master or obviously a motorcycle master for repainting.
