No matter how careful you are to keep your motorcycle safe from damage, scratches are inevitable. Often the culprit is little bits of gravel on the roadways that strike your bike. Bits of gravel and road debris are treacherous to your bike’s finish and there’s no way to avoid them. If you use your motorcycle on unpaved roads or gravelly areas, you are no stranger to scratches on your motorcycle.
Motorcycle scratch repair can cost hundreds of dollars, and if you are anything like me, as soon as you get back out on the road you will get another scratch. Instead of paying ridiculous amounts of money to repair scratches in your bike, learn how to do the work yourself. It’s not all that difficult or time-consuming, and you will save a fortune over taking it in to the shop for touch-up work. Large, deep scratches should probably be left to the professionals, but minor scratches and dings can easily be repaired at home.
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Before you being a motorcycle paint scratch repair job, you need to match the paint perfectly. It’s not as simply as “yellow” or “red,” as there are hundreds of variations of each of these colors. A repair that is not quite right will stick out like a sore thumb and leave you wishing you had just left the scratch alone. TouchUpDirect has custom touch-up paint for most motorcycle manufacturers. To determine the proper paint color, simply key in the make, model, and year of manufacture of your motorcycle. Then select the color and pick a product. For scratch repairs, stick with the paint pen or jar. The paints come in a variety of different packages. For best results, choose one of the packages that provides you with a base coat, color, and clear coat. It only adds a few bucks to the price of the paint and provides you with the tools to get the job done right.
Clean the area thoroughly prior to beginning the motorcycle paint scratch repair. Use a soft, non-abrasive cloth and wash the area of the scratch thoroughly to remove any dirt or buildup. Failing to do so can result in an uneven finish or worse, dirt sealed onto your motorcycle. Prior to moving onto the next step, make sure your motorcycle is completely dry. Allow it to dry out in the sun for an hour or so.
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Next, you will need to sand the area of the scratch. It can be nerve-wracking to sand your motorcycle, but it will even out the damaged areas for repair. For shallow scratches, a 320 grit sandpaper works well. Once you have evened out the surface as much as possible, finish the area with a 2000 grit sandpaper. Using a clean towel, wipe away any debris and, if necessary, wash and dry the area again.
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Apply touch-up paint by painting a line of dabs or dots rather than strokes. Strokes can create a rough-looking surface. Apply one coat and allow it to dry thoroughly before applying a second coat. Once the paint has dried thoroughly, apply clear coat for added protection and luster. Keep your supplies on hand because you will probably need them again in the future.
Once the area of the repair is completely dry, apply a thin layer of wax using circular motions. Spread the wax evenly over the repaired area and the surrounding area of the motorcycle. After is has dried, use a clean cloth to polish the area for a brilliant shine.
How to Remove Scratches from Motorcycle Windshield
Just like the rest of your motorcycle, your windshield isn’t safe from scratches. But here, the issue is more than just cosmetic. If your motorcycle windshield has multiple scratches and has become hazy, it can create a potential hazard for you when you ride. Many motorcycle windshields are plastic, which means that they are easily damaged, so learning how to keep yours free from scratches and haze is important.
Before you begin, mix a mild dishwashing soap like Dawn with some water. Use a soft towel and cover the surface of your windshield with this mixture. Allow it to remain on the windshield for a few minutes before wiping it off and rinsing with a clean washrag. Dry the windshield with dry, clean rag. This will remove any build-up and dirt from the windshield. You may need to repeat this process a few times.
Using wool, gently hand-buff the scratched area of the windshield. Once complete, wipe the area clean with a dry cloth to remove any dirt that may have been dislodged. Next you will apply a polishing compound. You can get one of an assortment of plastic and glass polishes from the hardware store near you. Dab a soft washcloth into the polish and then wipe it across the windshield gently. Follow the specific directions on your polish to ensure adequate coverage and a complete finish.
When riding your motorcycle, scratches are inevitable. Sadly, motorcycle crashes are inevitable, too. Thousands of bikers will be involved in motorcycle accidents each year and some of these bikers will face life-altering injuries. If you have been involved in a motorcycle crash, contact the team with over 25 years experienced representing injured bikers. Kass and Moses is just a phone call away at 1-800-MOTORCYCLE.
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