Fine scratches in the clear coat on my tank

[ke6igz]

I was cleaning up my Vulcan 900 custom today and noticed some very fine scratches in the clear coat on the tank between the seat and the speedometer housing. They must be coming from my jacket or jeans rubbing there. This is a new bike with about 300 miles on it. I put a extra heavy coat of carnuba wax in that area to protect it. Is there way to prevent wear there? I was thinking about maybe getting a tank bib but am not sure I like the idea of it possibly rubbing against the paint.

[Z-In-Jax]

If you really want to protect the finish and ensure that it never again gets scratched you can shrink wrap the the entire bike and store it away in a warehouse. Bikes get scratches, cars get scratches in fact everything covered by paint will scratch, sad but true reality.

The finish on most Vulcan's unfortunately seems to scratch easier than some other bikes and that really sucks. If these are just surface scratches you might be able to remove them with a VERY GOOD QUALITY rubbing compound. As for prevention, good luck. Being careful is key but even then your going to scratch it.

[captain Rando]

Originally Posted by ke6igz

I was cleaning up my Vulcan 900 custom today and noticed some very fine scratches in the clear coat on the tank between the seat and the speedometer housing. They must be coming from my jacket or jeans rubbing there. This is a new bike with about 300 miles on it. I put a extra heavy coat of carnuba wax in that area to protect it. Is there way to prevent wear there? I was thinking about maybe getting a tank bib but am not sure I like the idea of it possibly rubbing against the paint.

Just use some McGuires Scratch-ex. They will come right out very easily. I use it often to remove the scratches that are underneath where my seat overlaps and rubs the tank. Works like a charm. It is a very very mild abrasive so don't be afraid to give it a good rubbing.

[Rredeye74]

Originally Posted by captain Rando

Just use some McGuires Scratch-ex. They will come right out very easily. I use it often to remove the scratches that are underneath where my seat overlaps and rubs the tank. Works like a charm. It is a very very mild abrasive so don't be afraid to give it a good rubbing.

Meguiars works very good but you dont want to use it very often as it polishes away part of the clear coat each time you use it. this how it works to remove scratches. If you want to prevent scratches you need to cover that area. If you dont want a bib consider making some tank graphics made of vinyl stickers to cover the areas that get scratched. stops the scratching and looks as cool as you want it too.

[Daddyo Vulcan]

Originally Posted by ke6igz

I was cleaning up my Vulcan 900 custom today and noticed some very fine scratches in the clear coat on the tank between the seat and the speedometer housing. They must be coming from my jacket or jeans rubbing there. This is a new bike with about 300 miles on it. I put a extra heavy coat of carnuba wax in that area to protect it. Is there way to prevent wear there? I was thinking about maybe getting a tank bib but am not sure I like the idea of it possibly rubbing against the paint.

I had the same problem, and rather than accept it, I decided to find a fix. There is a product made by 3-M called Invisigard it is a clear stick on very durable sheet that is used on the fronts of automobiles to prevent rock chips. I found it in bulk on E-Bay, in fact they even sell a precut set for the V2K, maybe they make one for yours. It is very easy to apply and while not actually invisible, it is almost... I used some Maguires clear coat rubbing compound to work out all the scratches succesfully before applying the sheet. It has been on the tank for months and is working great. I take great pride in keeping my V2K looking show room, it takes alot of work but well worth the effort. Good Luck.

[MFolks]

Any of the many and various stick on paint guard films all tend to work the same, prevention of scratches to the paint. Some work by adhesive and others by static attraction. The 3M brand is very popular for motorcyclists.

[CarGuy]

Clear coat is a relatively soft covering that can normally be worked with plain wax on LIGHT scratches. Do like the old "spit shining" for boots. A soft rag, good quality wax, and some water will usually smooth out the very fine scratches that don't go penetrate through the clear coat. Be patient and don't rub hard. Like shampoo, apply-rinse-repeat.

[MrClean]

Bib the area that gets the wear. It happened once, it'll happen again. Then remember, a good coat of dirt hides a lot of imperfections and adds to the character. Don't feel bad though, when my bike was brand new I think I waxed it every other day. Now it's just a cleaning so I can check to make sure nothings broken, out of spec or rusting. When this bike wears out, I'll get a new one. Till then, if it needs a new coat of paint in a couple years, well then I'll see what kind of painting skills I have. Some folks buy a bike with the idea that it's an investment. I bought a tool, and like a knife or a wrench or a shovel. Sooner or later it's gonna have some scratches on it, and it'll need some maintenance from time to time. But all the fun between here and there will leave marks on both me and the bike.

[ke6igz]

Anyone know where I can get some small pieces of the 3M Scotchcal paint protective film? I want to get just the material not a whole kit. I want to put some on the tank to prevent any further scratches.

The McGuires Scratch-X works great to buff out the fine scratches. Its a very mild abrasive. Thanks for the recommendation.

[brother]

The clear coat on any bike or car will scratch if you sneeze on it,but it's easy for the body shops to match. It isn't work a toot other than that.

[Trashman900C]

get used to it, especially if its black.......

[Tendofreak]

I took an old car front end bra and cut it up....added some conchoes and more leather and made my own. Since its designed for that type of use...it hasnt scratched my tank.....yet.

[Daddyo Vulcan]

Originally Posted by ke6igz

Anyone know where I can get some small pieces of the 3M Scotchcal paint protective film? I want to get just the material not a whole kit. I want to put some on the tank to prevent any further scratches.

The McGuires Scratch-X works great to buff out the fine scratches. Its a very mild abrasive. Thanks for the recommendation.

Just checked on E-Bay Motors... punch in 3M Clear Bra Paint Protection Film Bulk 12inch x 4feet and it should come up. I made a pattern out of paper first and it ended up in a shield shape, the v2K tank has an extra curve on each side of the hump, not sure if yours has the same shape. It tells you to use IPA alcohol and water and then sqee-gee the bubbles out. Great results here.

[A-J]

Most tank bibs have very soft materials on the underside to prevent the tank from being scratched by the bib you put on to prevent scratches.

[barry5k]

Originally Posted by Trashman900C

get used to it, especially if its black.......

Ditto on the black. I used to see every scratch and I could swear they grew as I was looking at them. Now I don't even bother. I ride, the bike is rumbling down the road, the wind is blowing, and each scratch is now part of the character of the bike -otherwise you can go crazy with wax and scratch remover. Black = swirls and light scratches!