| Author | Message | ||
     Ckj |
How do I go about repainting the white XB9R tank. Damaged from removing the stickers and needs to be sanded and then ???. Thank you for any help and/or information. | ||
| Dblhaulxb9s |
Ckj, I am assuming you are talking about the frame/tank and not the actual white airbox cover. You can get touch up paint from Buell in either brush on or spray on form. I would recommend getting the sray on. Then, sand the effected area and some of the area around it with some really fine grit paper (220 or higher). Spray the area evenly and let it dry (might take a couple coats). When dry get some polish and polish the fixed area. Should turn out just fine. If for some reason you are talking about the air box cover, it is molded in color and should just be polished with a plastic polish. Hope that helps, Morgan | ||
| Ckj |
I should have been more specific but I mean the Airbox cover. I have been sanding it and all that is happening is that the shine has disappeared and it is getting dull. What should I do? | ||
| Bykergeek |
Thanks to the Fiero and Saturn, painting plastics is not too big a deal but some special prepwork is required. | ||
| Lothodon |
no need to paint it, just sand it smooth. your going to need some VERY fine sandpaper, rubbing compound, and polishing compound. i put some major deep cuts in my airbox cover, four hours later, using up to 2000grit wet/dry sandpaper and a huge amount of arm abuse, i got em out and restored the original shine. hint: a little furniture polish will restore the shine once the scratches are out...sounds strange but it worked great. | ||
| Dresden |
Just buy a new airbox cover. | ||
| Chainsaw |
I would suggest using a hairdryer to warm up the stickers before removing them. Helps to get them off cleanly without damaging paint. I assume this info would have been helpful 24 hours sooner  | ||
| Lothodon |
but the sticker removal can't take "paint" away, since it's a molded in color part and not actually painted. | ||
| Ckj |
Lothodon Did you have to sand the entire airbox and then apply the furniture polish? I damaged only part of the airbox but as I sand it seems like I must sand the entire thing. Is the rubbing compound necessary or can I just go from sandpaper to furniture polish? | ||
| Dblhaulxb9s |
Ckj, I sort of ruined all of my plastic by putting a tarp on the bike when I trailered it to Phoenix last winter (I know, don't cover it). I bought some of the NOVUS plastic polish and fine scratch remover for something like $5.50 and with a lot of elbow grease, got it back to new. Now I use it about every third time I wash the bike and it makes it shine really nice. You should be able to pick it up at the dealership. Hope that helps | ||
| 99buellx1 |
Ckj, Make sure to go in logical steps with the polishing, i.e. sanding(working up to the highest grit you can possibly find, rubbing compound, polishing compound (there are multiple grades), then the furniture polish (furniture polish? did I just say that? oh well) Most importantly, take your time doing it because if you get done and feel that you could have done better or you didnt get a spot as well as the rest of the cover, you're just gonna want to start all over again. Good Luck Craig  | ||
| Ckj |
Craig Any suggestions on the specific type/name of products I should buy? (i.e. rubbing compound, polishing compound) | ||
| 99buellx1 |
I have heard good things about the NOVUS products, but I haven't personally used them. Mothers always seems to have a good product. Hopefully someone else will chime in with first hand knowledge. Craig | ||
| Dblhaulxb9s |
Again, I would completely recommend the NOVUS fine scratch remover and plastic polish. I used only it and my bike looks great. As far as I can tell, Mothers is best on metal, that is what I used to polish my tail section. Morgan PS, I do not work for NOVUS, just had really good results | ||
| Leeaw |
There are 3 levels of Novus polish. Just used #2 for light scratches on my XB windscreen. Works very well. I would suggest getting all three and stepping from #3, which is for heavier and then to #1 which is like a polish. Test them first, but I also use them on my visor shield with good results. | ||
| Boulderbiker |
So since we're on this topic, I've been using pretty much just carnuba wax by mcguires. I have a black XB12R. It does make the black really rich and reflective. I've been very pleased, but since I haven't used the plastic polish I can't really make a comparison. Does the plastic polish take out all swirl marks so its pure shine, or do you still get the faint swirl marks if you get it in direct sunlight and look closely? | ||
| Ckj |
Using the NOVUS products #1,#2 and #3 does that make me having to use the rubbing compound unnecessary? | ||
| Leeaw |
I think rubbing compound might not be necessary. I have not tried #3 Novus but I would try them first since they are specifically for plastic. I would think that the Novus would basically fill in swirls. You would probably have to clean off all the wax and the use the Novus and then wax again. It can't hurt anything! |
