scratches on plastic

[GillesGLW]

Hi Everyone,

I've been trying for the last few months to get rid of some scratches on the trunck of my Goldwing. I initially thought that Meguiars products would be perfect for that, but apparently I need something stronger:

What would you recommend to use? Should I go for a re-painting of the trunck or is there a way to save me a few $$$ ?

[tfdeputydawg]

If you can feel them w/a finger nail, repaint

[Uncle Fester]

I had a few like that, and some deeper. I went to my Honda dealer and got a bottle of Touch Up paint and "filled" the scratch with paint, then used 1000 grit to smooth it down followed by a good waxing. It is not 100%, but is much better than was, and you can not see it unless you look for it.

[Mh434]

I've recently used some Novus #2 polish on some scratches like that on my GL1500. I tried numerous other things first, with absolutely zero improvement. The Novus, though, surprised me (I've had the bottle kicking around for years, and never opened it until now). The scratches almost disappear (bearing in mind my bike is white, over black plastic, so any deep scratches or marks REALLY show), and the bike looks worlds better. A coat of Carnauba wax afterward, and they truly disappear completely.

I still need to get some touch up paint, but my usual trick (Testor's Model Paint) isn't an option as they don't appear to make a pearl white paint. My old Porsche was Guard's Red, and Testors made a Porsche-licensed, exact-match paint. That was the cheapest touch-up paint I've ever found!

Anyway, I'd recommend trying the Novus before going to the expense of paint work. It can't hurt, it's cheap (Amazon has a full 3-step kit for $14), and it may just solve your problem...

[GillesGLW]

Hi everyone,

Many thanks for your replies! That's true, I can feel the scratches with a fingernail, but I would like to see if there's a way to "save" my trunk without repainting it.

I will give a try with the Novus, I need now to find a way to have it shipped to Switzerland. Here the products costs about 95$ if I get it from Germany! Simply amazing how expensive they make it! Maybe it comes with a free polish machine or maybe a new trunk for the price

Other option will be to use a touch up paint, but I assume the color will not match the one on the bike. Anyway, filling the scratch and then polishing it should make it. I will get some 1000 polish paper as recommended and see if my local Honda dealer could get me some paint.

Keep you posted!

Thanks,
Gilles

[Uncle Fester]

Your local dealer SHOULD be able to get you the touch up paint, and as to it matching, as long as your bike is still a factory color, it will be a 98-100% match. . . . .

[Mh434]

If you use the 1000 grit paper (you can get even finer 2000 grit, too), BE SURE TO USE IT WET! Keep a small bucket of water handy (I put a drop or two of liquid dish soap in the water, too), and keep dunking the paper in the water. If it's saturated, it will give a smoother finish, won't scratch, and won't clog up.

I polished a badly gouged motorcycle windscreen (starting with a file, then coarse paper, working my way through 2000 grit wet paper, and finally cream polish), and it was absolutely perfect - literally, as clear as glass. It was still that way when I sold it, 8 years later.

[Uncle Fester]

If you use the 1000 grit paper (you can get even finer 2000 grit, too), BE SURE TO USE IT WET! Keep a small bucket of water handy (I put a drop or two of liquid dish soap in the water, too), and keep dunking the paper in the water. If it's saturated, it will give a smoother finish, won't scratch, and won't clog up.

I polished a badly gouged motorcycle windscreen (starting with a file, then coarse paper, working my way through 2000 grit wet paper, and finally cream polish), and it was absolutely perfect - literally, as clear as glass. It was still that way when I sold it, 8 years later.

Very good point, I forget that some folks might not know about wet sanding. . . . Good catch , and thanks for bringing it up.

[GillesGLW]

After a few minutes of work with 1500 grit paper and some polish, the result is quite good.
I will continue later and remove the remaing scratches.

[rowdyjoe]

Where can we find touch up paint to match our Wings. I have a "new to me" 1993 SE with a few scratches, etc. and would like to improve the appearance.

[Rambozo]

Where can we find touch up paint to match our Wings. I have a "new to me" 1993 SE with a few scratches, etc. and would like to improve the appearance.

https://www.colorrite.com/

[rowdyjoe]

Thanks for the reply. Looking them up now.

[FM-USA]

After a few minutes of work with 1500 grit paper and some polish, the result is quite good.
I will continue later and remove the remaing scratches.

THAT'S looking great.
But if it's not to your liking, do get a spray can of clear & just do that panel. ME, I wouldn't do the 2 trunk sides, that new clear finish might not blend with the saddlebags finish. Then you're stuck doing the saddlebags, then the side panels, then the shelter sides . . . then...
Mask off in the middle of the corner curves and let the clear feather itself. Don't spray to the masking.
It'll look hazy for a month due to the clear speckles... ya, that long B4 U can wet sand those 2 corners. The curve will hide any imperfections whereas a flat panel .
With you're new found wet sanding experience you'll be all set.

.