VFR Discussion Group -> Another Paint Care Question - 97 VFR

The paint on my 97 VFR is starting to look a bit tired. Looks a tad oxidized and of course lots of micro scratches in the finish. Anyone have any tips on any compounds/waxes/techniques I could use over a weekend to get some of the original luster back?

Thanks in advance,

Bart

bart, Apr 8 2005, 07:50 PMThe paint on my 97 VFR is starting to look a bit tired.  Looks a tad oxidized and of course lots of micro scratches in the finish.  Anyone have any tips on any compounds/waxes/techniques I could use over a weekend to get some of the original luster back?

Thanks in advance,

Bart

Try some body clay on it. It's a small lump of clay like material that you glide across your paint with a little water to pick out all the built-up contaminants embedded in your paint. I did that to my 95 VFR last year and it refreshed the paint to better than new IMO! :thumbsup:
Car wax companies sell this stuff (Meguires, Turtle, Blue Corra...etc). Look for it in car parts and supply stores.
If that doesn't get the paint nice, you might have to use fine polishing abrasives on your bike to cut down the built up scratches.
Good Luck!

Beck
95 VFR

I've noticed a few people have removed their stickers from the lower fairings. I'd like to do that to mine too, but am I correct in thinking that the finish on the bike is probably too old to do this without showing?

bart

I would say you are correct. If your bike has seen too much sun shine, then under the sticker your bike must likely has a different color. I had a 10 years old VF750S that had a 1 inch high red line around the fuel tank. Where my legs were the red looked red, but where my legs did not cover the paint it was not red anymore. It was orange!

I restore 100+ year old electromechanical stuff. There's lots of different solutions for restoring that new paint shine. I bring the dull, oxidized paint back from the dead, to where it looks new. My current preference is a three step process using Meguiar's Deep Crystal "system". You buy three different bottles of stuff at auto parts stores, and just follow the directions. I like it because it does a good job, and because it doesn't wear me out with buffing and rubbing. I did my yellow VFR last Sunday night...even though it really didn't need it...took about half an hour to do all three steps. My bike was already in excellent condition...previous owners took good care of it, but even so, the pearlescence was more noticeable after giving it the treatm :thumbsup: ent. :thumbsup:

bart, Apr 8 2005, 03:50 PM 
Looks a tad oxidized and of course lots of micro scratches in the finish.  Anyone have any tips on any compounds/waxes/techniques... 

I use GLARE PROFESSIONAL POLISH (http://www.autopolish.net and reviewed on http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/glare-polish/glare-polish.htm ). The testimonials by AIRPLANE users is kind of interesting.

1. Thoroughly wash the bike with a good grease/grime cleaner. I use S100, from Germany's SMARTPARTS� Products, Brookside Import Specialities, Brantford, CT USA. But 'ya gotta rinse and rinse this stuff off otherwise it leaves a white haze. The label even warns so.

2. THOROUGHLY, THOROUGHLY RINSE off any/all soap/cleaner residue, regardless of the cleaner used.

3. To help ensure the soap/cleaner is gone and to help with the micro-scratches and polishing process, I apply a treatment of LIQUID CLAY. Available from GLARE as well as the other auto polish brands. RINSE, RINSE, RINSE. Let dry.

If you're paint is oxidized, the GLARE is a two pass process; otherwise, it may be one pass. Follow their directions.

4a. Is a compound treatment, where you use GLARE as the cleaning compound and buff off the oxidization. *Use a foam applicator.

4b. Is the more typical apply, let set and dry, then buff off. *Use a buffing cloth applicator.

GLARE PRO is NOT an INSTANT polish (though they now offer some instant-like stuff that I cannot vouch for), but it's not that hard either. I use a low speed electric buffer for 4a and 4b. The results are worth the extra effort. It's good for 5 years before renewal is needed.

--S

S2SCOTT, Apr 17 2005, 03:08 AMI use GLARE PROFESSIONAL POLISH (http://www.autopolish.net and reviewed on http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/glare-polish/glare-polish.htm ).

Best price I know of is off eBay.ca, through seller salty_sherk. He's out of BELLEVILLE, ONTARIO Canada. Search ebay.ca for "GLARE POLISH." He usually has product up for immediate buy for C$20. He sells the liquid clay too (ask via email/messaging).

--Scott.

I'm pretty sure Honda is selling Glare now under their label.

Whats the method of removeing dried bug guts that have turned to plastic varnish from a 126 mph inpact? The only thing that seems to work is laying a wet cloth over them to soften, and gentlyscapeing with a finger nail . They realy stick hard! :( The glare stuff sounds good...should protect the paint from the tank bag?

richmerrill, Apr 17 2005, 11:38 AMThe glare stuff sounds good...should protect the paint from the tank bag?

If the marketting info is more fact then fiction, GLARE is not a polish per sa but a liquid plexi-glass like compound. Once applied properly, any gunk I've acquired does rinse off quite easily.

I have used it on NEW HELMET VISORS and they rinse clean and seem to resist scratching, yielding two-three seasons, instead of one-two seasosns before replacing.

--S.

Vato Viejo, Apr 17 2005, 11:28 AMI'm pretty sure Honda is selling Glare now under their label.

I've heard this; however, I haven't verified it. And I think the Honda label is GLARES' spray on vs. the paste/buff compund ... but, ahain, unsure.

--S.

S2SCOTT, Apr 18 2005, 02:24 AMI've heard this; however, I haven't verified it.  And I think the Honda label is GLARES' spray on vs. the paste/buff compund ... but, ahain, unsure.

--S.

Found the article that mentions Honda...the webbikeworld review reads like an ad for the stuff. way down at the end the reviewer mentions Honda. i have not tried it.

webBikeWorld Glare review

Maguires

it is simply the best.

Once you have got that great shine back by all means try some of that Glare stuff but it won't revitalise your paint.

Greg