Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Front fender -scratches

I think I know the answer to this question but, does anyone know if there is a way to remove, fix, or cover up scratches on my plastic front fender? Back when I got my used 2003 Speedmaster it had 5 or 6 scratches on the top surface of the fender like something small and sharp had came in contact with it. These aren't the usual wear related surface, swirl, or super fine scatches. They are a deeper. I may just have to break down and buy a new fender I guess
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Thanks in advance ,
Bob

My only suggestion short of paint is that color matching wax I have seen advertised. I have never tried it so I don't know how well it works in the real world. Looked good on TV though,but you know how that is.

Yeah, that stuff looks good from 10 feet but crap up close. Are the scratches in the paint only or the plastic also?

In the UK we have mobile 'Bumper' (fender) repair franchises. Can't think of a name at the moment but they are quite reasonably priced.

The Bike version was Bike Medic, I think it ran for a couple of years then went under but it left a lot of guys with the skills and equipment to do lots of plastic repairs. - CHIPS AWAY - that's the car version.

http://www.carmedic.ltd.uk/franchise/bike-medic.asp

My son was thinking of taking it up but he wasn't convinced he'd get the work. We went to a demo and saw a plastic weld, sand down and paint matching (the most difficult part) they did that by eye. Might be one in the US ? much cheaper than a new fender.

Here is something to consider. Get some wide decal material from auto parts store and cut out some kind of cool design (flames, dragon, triumph logo,etc.) and apply to the fender to cover up or otherwise distract the eye from the scratches. Years ago, I got a bad scratch on the very bottom of a tank and covered it with a wide stripe, it actually looked better with that design than it did plain.

Brummie's right, you'll have to find a plastic welding cat and then touch it up with color match paint. Left unfilled the scratches will always show.

If the sickle had a tool bag hanging off the lower triple tree rub scratches will be on the fender above where it hung. You have a black fender? Not trying to be a wise backside, but scratches happen. A sign of well ridden sickle brother.

Break out the black Sharpie and save your time and money for the finer pursuits in life, like maintaining the road worthiness of your English Iron.

I touched up a few with black nail polish but wouldn't advise that in any visible area as it is kind of raised above the paint. Makes a good hard touch-up for chain guard or frame.

Thanks for all the suggestions

I have used black sharpie in other places on my bike, even used the black sharpie to cover up some thread wear on the very edges of my seat just near the tank. It worked great.

My front fender is black but these aren't rub marks from a fork bag. They are more like irregular gouge marks in the paint. They don't take away from anything too much. Just kind of visible because of where they are located. (on top of the fender.) I may look around for a good decal or use the gothic black nail polish. I'm just wondering if black shoe polish might work? I still love my British Iron Speedy

Thanks again,
Bob

One of those paint touch up tubes, the ones with the fingernail style paint brush, might lay it on thick enough to do a nice fill job with dozen coats or so. Then you could blend it in with a little 2000 grit and some Meguiars Swirl Remover.

Try fleabay for a plastic welding gun and you can by the rods, used just like the metal versions. Use a Dremmel to 'V'the scratch and then fill with weld. Use sander to smooth down then prime and topcoat. Easy !!!!

http://motors.search.ebay.co.uk/plastic-...gZ1QQsofocusZbs

Seriously, if you could get the plastic welder for the right price you could sell it on after or rent it out to other with the same problem. If you've got a bike wreckers yard nearby go and ask if you can have some scrap fairings to practice on. I'm sure Plastic car fenders use the same type plastic.

Harbor Freight sells an inexpensive plastic welder. I bought one for welding plastic bumpers. Basicly very hot air and a filler rod sort of like brazing. The hot air melts the plastic and you fill it with the rod.

Even the most beautiful women have some little "flaw" somewhere , it's called CHARACTER , those little crows' feet around the eye , the lines on her face are BEAUTIFUL ! The things we experience in life will leave indelible marks on us and our bikes . Absolute perfection can be boring . Heck , Lola has a scratch on her fender , it's cute .

These fenders are white under the paint, so if none of the white is showing, it hasn't gone through the paint.
There are polishes and swirl removers out there that work pretty good but stay away from anything too abrasive. Some Meguiar's Scratch X followed by a good waxing will help to some extent.

There is a trick we sometimes do for marble...
would you believe crayon? If the color matches it hides light scratches pretty well.