Battling scratches

indeo

indeo

Well-Known Member
Visit site
Preventing scratches should've been my first concern since I just got my 2007 Cobalt Blue FZ1 about a month ago (05/25/11). I've since put ~1500mi on it and more tank scratches than I care to think about. The scratches aren't deeper than the clearcoat, but the idea of matching and filling paint to my pretty stock flake paint had me out at the store.

Today I picked up Turtle Wax's scratch repair kit from AutoZone for about $16: [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDK7lEeGzCk]YouTube - ‪Turtle Wax Scratch Repair Kit‬‏[/ame] which included everything I was looking for: Clearcoat filler, various grade sanding pads and finishing compound. So far I've basically scribbled all over the affected area of the tank with the clearcoat pen (mostly middle of the tank from 2" above seat 6" high). Tomorrow I'm sanding, finishing and waxing. I'll post macro pics of the before and after.

Going with Oldschool's review of the Tank Slapper Tank Protector: http://www.998cc.org/forum/product-reviews/7726-tank-slapper-paint-protection.html I went and ordered the Tank Slapper 3M Total Protection kit for $79.95 + $5.95 shipping: '06-'10 FZ1 Total Protection Kit in all 3M, The Tankslapper. Here's an image of the pieces they provide: http://thetankslapper.biz/osc/images/FZ1%2006.jpg.
When the kit arrives I'll be sure to shoot some pictures during the lengthy application process.

Edit: Here is WebBikeWorld's review of the kit: http://www.webbikeworld.com/paint-protection/tank-slapper/tank-slapper.htm
 
Last edited:
this year has not been kind to my paint as I have gotten many chips.I wax the bike about once a week to protect the paint but it doesn't seem to matter
 
i showed geno yesterday what happened to my tank from my tank bag. when i gassed up, i put my tank bag on the ground and the magnets picked up these little rocks (must have been tiny pieces of metal) and i didn't see that. i put the bag back on the tank and next time i took it off i didn't pull the magnet tabs right off and they slid up the tank and scratched the ever loving shit out of it! gonna try this turtle wax kit thingy
 
I have only used a tank bag once or twice on this bike my last bike was all torn up from it in spite of consant care.My wife carries all my junk on the 'family truckster" AKA Vstar 1300
 
pjspin0331 said:
i showed geno yesterday what happened to my tank from my tank bag. when i gassed up, i put my tank bag on the ground and the magnets picked up these little rocks (must have been tiny pieces of metal) and i didn't see that. i put the bag back on the tank and next time i took it off i didn't pull the magnet tabs right off and they slid up the tank and scratched the ever loving shit out of it! gonna try this turtle wax kit thingy
Click to expand...

That's a shame. Hope the scratches didn't go further than the clearcoat. Scratch Doctor videos on youtube look pretty impressive, and less scary than sanding
 
When using a magnetic tank back I always pull the magnets straight off the tank and don't all them to slide along the tank, then put the bag on the seat so you don't pick up abrasive dirt from the ground. Then replace the bag on the tank and let the magnets down softly on the tank's surface so they don't bang against it. When I'm finished for the day I make sure the bottom of the bag is clean of any debris by running my hands over it to remove any stuff. So far no problems with any scratches.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top