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[Sledge]

Oh noes the dreaded voice of reason!  Hey if we don't try to do some of it ourselves what's the use in having a harley?

Sledge

[Fired00d]

Jerry, take this to a body shop and have them do the work. you will be glad you did. most over the counter products are not real good for what you are wanting to do.experience counts here! i am of course assuming you have none. gaining experience  on a cvo fairing may not be the place to start.

Agreed... somethings we can do ourselves and somethings should be left up to experts. I man/woman must know there limitations... otherwise it may end up costing them (more) in the end.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[Jerry/MD]

Jerry, take this to a body shop and have them do the work. you will be glad you did. most over the counter products are not real good for what you are wanting to do.experience counts here! i am of course assuming you have none. gaining experience  on a cvo fairing may not be the place to start.

Couldn't agree more. I've already improved the appearance by using some H-D Scratch & Swirl Remover. Now, it's time to let the experts take over. 

[Jerry/MD]

Hey Jerry,

Don't try to use an orbital or other powered buffer since you can easily burn right through the finish if not familiar with how to do it.  Use a buffing pad to apply but only by hand.   I wouldn't put any touchup paint on the scratches 'till you are sure they can't be buffed out.

I would start with a 100% cotton cloth or pad and a small amount of polish (not wax).  First use a cleaner to clean the area thoroughly and let it dry.  Use light pressure in a circular motion with the polish and see how it affects one of the smaller scratches.  If they aren't deep you should see immediate improvement.  If not you will have to use the cleaner again and go with some rubbing compound using the same technique.   I have used Meguiar's with good results, you can get it at Autozone or similar places.  The rubbing compound will take off paint/clearcoat (they call it cutting) if you rub hard so take it real easy.  After the compound you will need to polish, then wax.  I have used ScratchX with good results on minor scratches and swirls.

Never do any of it in the sun.  Never use any cloth other than 100% pure cotton.  Make sure it is soft and clean.  If you drop it don't use it again 'till it's been washed.  One spec of sand on a polishing cloth can ruin a nice paint job.  (btw I never allow anyone to wash/wax my bike, I don't care if it is a bikini bike wash.  You like swirl marks?  Let someone else clean it for ya.  If the girls are buck nekkid and use only their bazooms to suds it up maybe lol.)

Save the edge chips for later after you get out the scratches.   Chip repair is a bit more complicated but there is a bunch of info on chip repair on the net plus a lot of kits available with the proper brushes, sandpaper and other materials at auto parts shops.  The little cap brush in most touch up kits leaves a glob too big.   It's a process of building up the paint in the chip in layers to the level of the stock paint.  Tiny brushes are available with only a few strands for this purpose.  Damaging the surrounding area trying to flatten the "glob" is common if the touch up is too rushed or too big.

Let us know how it turns out.  Hopefully not like my first attempt at chip repair. 

It's a learning experience so take your time.

Sledge

Thanks Sledge. 

[Sledge]

YW.  Sounds like the clear is damaged all the way down if you only got minor results from the scratch remover.  Chips I can handle no prob but clear damaged that bad is a def. pro job. 

Let us know how much it costs you and if they can match from the touchup bottle.  I've got a buddy who scraped one of his fairing lowers in a spill and he will need a pro to fix it too looks like.

Sledge