I have a black glossy tank that has fine scratches all over it. These are not deep. Just swirl marks. My question is what can I use to clean and get rid of them. I have some of the Meg. cleaner/polish wax. I was thinking of getting a clay bar or the clay past. However I also have custom pin striping on the tank. So I was not for sure if a clay bar would take it off or not. What do you guys and gals think? What can I use to get rid of the scratches?
ok Beav,, you can start with T-cut and then some good wax like Zymol, RimWax or S100 carnuba paste wax..
if this doesnt work then the next step is a product called "Brasso" dunno if you get it over there but if you want to know more PM me and ill give you a description so you can go try to locate it..
if that has no effect then you need proper cutting paste like the pros use with a proper mop .. that'll do it for sure..Again PM me and i will dig up some names,,
as for the pin stripes,, depends how much clear cote they got,, and in relation to the scratches etc,, but if the are not affected then just keep away from them..
alternatively,, chop the sporty in on a flat black bob and BINGO problem solved and you get to own a motorcycle !!! as a bonus
Well if Jaime doesn't like riding after I get her on the sportster a bit I'll think about it. If she dose like riding, which I hope so. Then I will look at a bigger bike for longer touring. Anyways back to the topic. If you have anything to add then post some pics of the products incase anyone else has the same question. Also I did get some Meguiars swirl X remover and tried it. mmmmm Better but the scratches are still there just harder to see now. Unless the lights hits it at just the right angel. ZIt did help shine the black up alot.
Beav, before you get drastic and use brasso, Try some good old rubbing compound and a buffer or just a little elbow grease. I don't know if sk8's brasso and our brasso is the same stuff, but it's used to clean brass, copper, etc.
Are the strips painted on or the tape type and are they on the surface or under several coats of clear coat?
brasso is awesome,, the liquid not the cloth stuff,, will get scratches out of helmet shields also..
great on powder coat and any scratches on paint..
The puke tan colored stuff? I've used it before, but not for this application. I'd be afraid it would leave mico scratches as well. I think it even says not to use on painted surfaces.
I use it whenever t-cut fails and before I get the machinery out !!
Huh...That's twice today you been useful for sumptin...WAIT! This is Lisa postin' again for Pete. I've only seen this one other time and Riv picked up on it that time.
Try a product called Eagle Nano Wax. Seems to work best if you apply it in the sun then polish to a bright shine with a clean dry microfiber cloth. Don't use terry cloth to wash or wax your bike as that's the second biggest cause of swirl marks next to polishing over dust. Nano wax makes the bugs easier to remove also.
I'll look into some of the stuff yall have said. The swirl x I think worked pretty good, maybe I did not get all the old wax off before putting it on. It did help out alot.
Location: Southern Zone of the State of Commiefornia
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Hey BEAV!!!
I have some scratches, swirlmarks and some weird looking gouge on the rear right side of the tank (top & side) of my new 2009 Ultra. It's the damdest things...don't know how in the hell i get those and I'm carefull mounting and dismounting the motorcycle, and always on the hgihside (habit from riding motors). I swae by the Harley Swirl & Scratch remover...works great for me, but you gotta use a lot and you gotta rub really hard, takes care of everything and really happy with the performance...make sure you use some quality wax!! I'm sure there are a lot of other products out there that work just as good and probably even cheaper but this works for me..plus if something happens with the paint or what ever..if you have an issue with the HD stuff chances are you might be able to take it to the dealer and get some assistance.
Now if I can only find out what the fuck is causing those mysterious scratches and swrils?????
__________________ Odd Job So. Cal Patriot Guard Rider
Well OJ like GreyDog said terry cloths can make tem. What are using to clean the bike? Asfar As waes go I am using the meguiars cleaner wax paste. Really shines the black paint on the tank an fenders. The pin stripping I have is hand painted on. The swirlX didn't hurt it at all when I used it.
but its perfect on stuff, ya got to trust me here,, its an old trick we used to re-vamp scratched lexan helmet shields,, it will remove scratches of plastic, powder coating, polyurethane and i have used it on paint finishes of all types...
its less harmfull to paint as far as abrasive particulates are concerned, than T-cut !!
now for the love of god,, just feckin trust me on this
but its perfect on stuff, ya got to trust me here,, its an old trick we used to re-vamp scratched lexan helmet shields,, it will remove scratches of plastic, powder coating, polyurethane and i have used it on paint finishes of all types...
its less harmfull to paint as far as abrasive particulates are concerned, than T-cut !!
now for the love of god,, just feckin trust me on this
ain't no way I'm putting brasso on my feckin paint..........
I'm with ya on this bodei. I'll stick with rubbing compound. Besides I've never used Brasso since I started using Mothers to polish chrome and billet aluminum.
Ya know that Brasso may be what is dulling the paint on yer bike skeeter.
I have also used Novus#1 on my paint. Its actually for plastic but thats about what your clear coat is. Have obtained some pretty good results.
Have also used a product call MASS, its a fine polishing cream for metals but its says it can also be used on glass, enamel, fiberglass and other things.
bottom line is that it doesnt always have to be a product in the automotive section and you will usually get better results from something not marketed for the intended use.
But when using something outside of the box you want to try it in a spot that you cant always see. Like under your seat.
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cleaning scratches on tank that has pin striping
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