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CVO Technical => Cleaning/Detailing => Topic started by: Midnight Rider on May 19, 2012, 03:51:24 PM
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A week or so ago, I made the mistake of pulling off a saddlebag, with the lid open, and setting it down "just for a minute" on my concrete driveway. Stupid is as stupid does...and I know better. Ever had one of those moments where you say to yourself when you are doing something: "If I do this, X is going to happen"...but you do it anyway? Yep, the bag fell over, the lid hit the concrete, and scratched the chit out of it...several scratches in one area about the size of a baseball. Not too deep, but deep enough. So, I figured I'd try to fix it myself instead of buying a new lid...what did I have to lose? You could hang a fingernail on some of them, but not deep enough to get into the base layer.
Went down to Advance Auto and found this 3M Scratch removal "kit"...contains two 3" foam pads with velcro, and a pad holder for your drill. Also, a small, foam backed piece of 3000 grit wet sandpaper, a small package of Rubbing Compound ,and a small packet of Polishing Compound. After hand wet sanding the area for about 30 minutes, wiping off residue every 30 seconds or so, I had the scratches down to where a nail would no longer catch. Then used the stiffer pad included in the kit, along with the Rubbing compound, on my Griot's 3" Orbital to cut it down a bit more and start the polishing out. Polishing pad is softer foam, so stuck that on the orbital and polished it some more. Finished with Glare Micro, then Spyder, then Pro Polish.
It worked!! :2vrolijk_21: :apple: If you get at just the right angle with the light, you can still see a small "ding" or two, but you have to be looking for it and know where it is. So, a :2vrolijk_21: for this little $20 kit.
BTW...I ordered some Motorcycle Armor for both lids today... :huepfenlol2: ::)
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Terry, the wet sanding is the scariest part! But it's amazing what you can do with the right technique ...... and A LOT of patience! Glad you got it to come out alright. Everyone does stupid chit once in awhile.
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Terry, the wet sanding is the scariest part! But it's amazing what you can do with the right technique ...... and A LOT of patience! Glad you got it to come out alright. Everyone does stupid chit once in awhile.
Yea, Brian...the wet sanding made me nervous, but I watched a few videos, used a very fine paper, and figured WTF, I can't make it a lot worse. I was just not sure about how thick the clearcoat is on these things...just took my time and kept a close check on my progress. :2vrolijk_21:
I know one thing for SURE...I will never put a bag down like that again. That picture will never leave my mind...like it happened in slow motion.
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Yes we've all done dumb azz chit like that before. Really glad you sweetened it back up. :2vrolijk_21:
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Cover the lids with Body Armor and the swirl marks will disappear. Plus they will be protected from further scratches.
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Cover the lids with Body Armor and the swirl marks will disappear. Plus they will be protected from further scratches.
Have the lid protector film from Motorcycle Armor sitting in the basement waiting to be installed...have to pick up a clean spray bottle, then it will be installed. If I can do it correctly... :nervous:
You'd think they would include a $4.00 Spray Bottle with the kit...
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Have the lid protector film from Motorcycle Armor sitting in the basement waiting to be installed...have to pick up a clean spray bottle, then it will be installed. If I can do it correctly... :nervous:
You'd think they would include a $4.00 Spray Bottle with the kit...
You wouldn't mind doing up a "how to" thread when you do this would you?
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You wouldn't mind doing up a "how to" thread when you do this would you?
If it goes well... :huepfenlol2: It will likely be only a narrative description with still pictures though. I'm going to try and "git her done" tomorrow or the next day...
Their website has a good video on how to do it, and the instructions included are good, so we'll see if my abilities match their good instructions.
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If it goes well... :huepfenlol2: It will likely be only a narrative description with still pictures though. I'm going to try and "git her done" tomorrow or the next day...
Their website has a good video on how to do it, and the instructions included are good, so we'll see if my abilities match their good instructions.
Still pix and narrative work really well. I've done several for the truck club.
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You wouldn't mind doing up a "how to" thread when you do this would you?
I think there is a video of the install on the Body Armor web site.
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Nicely done, I think I am to Chicken to sand on my bike