Tips for covering scratches

[ctwo]

I have some relatively small scuffs... Was thinking of a black sticker over the red paint. I don't really want to sand and try to match the color, not optimistic...

Not sure about the black side panel as it's a bit textured. Might as well just leave it.

I might buy a new cowl though since I lost a chunk just above the mirror mounting.

 

[KrustyKruser]

Sticker bomb it. Or get a vinyl wrap for that area. I never have success with paint matching. Of course all my stuff is old and sun faded

 

[ctwo]

If I were savvy with the paint brush, it could be a painted design, maybe even morphed into a Japanese phrase or something like that...

 

[berth]

Would a wrap cover those or would they need to be filled first? They look pretty deep.

 

[greenmonster]

Remove the entire fairing and fly naked.

 

[ctwo]

Would a wrap cover those or would they need to be filled first? They look pretty deep.

Maybe a piece of chrome trim or similar

 

[senpai71]

Remove the entire fairing and fly naked.

This is what I have done, but in my case, it was because I dropped the bike and the fairings SHATTERED. 25-year-old plastic FTW

IMO, unless you hate to look at it, leave it as-is and wear it as a badge of pride. You can always make up some story about how you had to lay 'er down to avoid hitting some children or nuns (or children AND nuns!) who ran out into the road...

 

[ST Guy]

Anything you do, short of painting it, will look worse than what you have.

I’d try getting a super small brush or wire and filling the cracks with paint. Be sure to thoroughly clean the scratches with rubbing alcohol before painting. And don’t put new paint on top of old paint. Just fill the scratches up to the level of the existing paint. It will be fine and delicate work but will provide the best results short of sanding and spraying on new paint.

 

[Climber]

Have you tried checking ebay to see if somebody is selling an old faring that is same color but better shape?

I've done that in the past, though it's been awhile.

 

[ScottRNelson]

... leave it as-is and wear it as a badge of pride.

Yup, this.

Of course, to get my bike to look relatively new again would require replacing ALL plastic plus the seat and hand guards. All of the scrapes and gouges are worn as a badge of pride on my bike.

 

[Holeshot]

Can you post a pic of further away from the bike? I'd find a used faring and replace. That faring looks fairly shot...just don't know how good the rest of the bike is.

 

[ctwo]

Can you post a pic of further away from the bike? I'd find a used faring and replace. That faring looks fairly shot...just don't know how good the rest of the bike is.

The rest is perfect, except for a small ding in one of the cans from a bicycle incident in the garage. You'd have to look for it... Oh, and the windscreen is getting a bit dull. I got new FZ1 replica carbon fiber mirrors.

 

[GAJ]

How about just spray painting it with auto paint in cans in a contrasting color?

Not sure about this suggestion from the google though.

The primary complementary color for red is green. Positioned opposite each other on the color wheel, they create a vibrant, high-impact visual contrast.

 

[ctwo]

Not gonna worry about the hard case. They're usually not on.

 

[GAJ]

View attachment 596635
Not gonna worry about the hard case. They're usually not on.

Nice.

Maybe go to a body shop to see what they have to say?

 

[augustiron]

Seems there's a lot more damage going on there than scratches.

Did you look at new OEM replacement?

I just took a swag on the year make and model

FJR1300 headlight cowl for a 2016 is $225 bucks from RMA TV

 

[ctwo]

Seems there's a lot more damage going on there than scratches.

Did you look at new OEM replacement?

I just took a swag on the year make and model

FJR1300 headlight cowl for a 2016 is $225 bucks from RMA TV

When these fall over, there is a cast aluminum bracket holding all the front end bits - it shatters when the mirror hits the ground. Royal PITA.

 

[ctwo]

 

[augustiron]

Yup

You know you can get duct tape in red and all kinds of interesting colors now also.....

 

[Holeshot]

Seems there's a lot more damage going on there than scratches.

Did you look at new OEM replacement?

I just took a swag on the year make and model

FJR1300 headlight cowl for a 2016 is $225 bucks from RMA TV

This is not a bad way to go. For paint, visit a few dealerships and ask who their bumper paint guy is (outside contractor). Those guys should paint the bags and side faring for about $200 or so....it's a quick job.