scraches

[pepperman]

I have a paint job that looks pretty good except i have some scraches on the finders and the front of the gas tank. I have removed the fenders and tank and was going to try painting, but i believe that i could possibly be able the buff the scraches out. How would i do this. I have read your how to on flames, and thought i would use the bottom part on wet sanding and then buffing. Any help would be appreciated.
thanks

 

[Jim]

What kind of paint is it?Base coat/clear coat?Is it new paint or something old that you want to clean up?Buffing would help,If it's enamel,I don't know that you want to sand on it.I would try buffing first.A mild rubbing coumpound then some swirl mark remover may do it.

 

[rex]

I agree with Jim,try just buffing it first if they're shallow.Factory finishes are usually pretty thin so you don't have much material to work with.

 

[imported_thomas]

the paint seems to be a factory paint. And to my best knowledge it is a black basecoat with a purple metalic clearcoat, and pen striped on both sides with a red (candy) look. It is a 1995 Kawasaki Vulcan 750. Also after removing the tank, i found a number br68 under a piece of masking tape. Do you have any idea what that may mean. I also took the fender to a paint dealer and he used a hand held gun to read the color and it said it was black, But it looks dark purple metalic. I would still like to try and buff it first, and paint if i have to. Your ideas on how would be highly appreciated.

 

[Jim]

Thomas,
How deep are the scratches?Are they just in the clear which would look white or are they thru the base?If they're just in the clear,just buff em out.If they are real deep but still in the clear,600 wetsand then maybe another couple coats of clear,wetsand and buff.You have to know weather it's urathane or not,Rex or EZ,jump in here,I don't know about compatablity with differant types of clear coats yet.

 

[rex]

Thanx Jim,you're on the ball,sorry for missing this Thomas.The number on the tank is probably some kind of build # or something they use at the plant but I really don't know much about jap bikes.If the bike looks purple metalic than something was wrong when he tried to red the color.Those machines can't read multi stage paints like candy well but I'd think it would have kicked out black matallic or a black pearl unless it's 2tone and he read the wrong color.As Jim said if the scatch looks white in the bottom meaning it's only in the clear try buffing it first,You can do a search to find alot of info on buffing here.If I had to sand it I think I'd go easy with some 2000 grit,remember that if there is a straight clear topcoat it's thin and if it's like automotive factory 3stage candies there is no clearcoat,the candy coat is it so any hard buffing will lighten the color in that spot-really sucks.If it does come down to having to paint it the dealer should be able to provide you with a paint code or at least the name of the color to have some made.As far as what Kawi uses for factory paint I have no idea,Harley uses PPG but I believe they're still using a lacquer.

 

[Doc]

That color is probably Candy Atlantic Blue. You can find almost any cycle color at www.color-rite.com. Go to the bottom of the screen and search for your bike. Back to lurker mode now!