Magnetic Tank Bag Bad For The Metallic Paint?

Just picked up a magnetic tank bag, and the sticker on the bag states that prolonged mounting of the bag on the tank can damage metallic paint because the magnets react to the metallic flaky stuff in the paint. I've got a white '06 which seems to have a bit of metallic flake in the paint....did I go wrong buying a metallic tank bag? Say it aint so!! :huh:

Hmmm...that is news to me. I don't really know...sorry!
(BUT, don't do what I did and place the bag on the ground for a short while without checking the magnets for debris. I did that and scraped up the paint...turns out some iron and/or other small metal bits were drawn out of the sand/dirt by the magnets and then when I moved the bag on the tank I ended up with scratches. Ugh!)

Have not heard of anything like that... Sounds pretty bizarre ! Assuming the paint has a layer of clear coat, don't understand how that could happen..... :warranty:

I doubt that the metal flakes in the paint contain iron, so it sounds bogus to me.
As Nungboy said though, the biggest risk to your paint is grit or metal flakes stuck on the underside of the bag. My paint is scratched through to the undercoat.

I have a 06 Cosmic Black and use a magnetic tank bag all the time with no problem with paint...just wipe the tank and the bottom of the bag every time bag is used and you should be OK

I frequently wax the top of the tank where the bag attaches to add that extra bit of protection. I always remove the bag when I get home and store it in a plastic bag to ensure it stays clean, it really is critical that the bottom of the tank bag be kept clean...

Metallic paint flakes are usually made from aluminum and aluminum. Aluminum is non-magnetic...so it's total BS........

Beck
95 VFR

Good advice about keeping the bag clean....the magnets are pretty strong and i'd hate to grind junk into the paint that way. I guess what they are talking about is the metallic flake in some paints may contain some magnetic components....imagine? Having a few perfect circles in the paint with LOTS of pearl? Like all the pearl in the tank drifts over to the spot where the magnets are? I think you guys are right though...keep it clean and the risk is low. Thanks!

I've been using magnetic tankbags over 20 years..... Never had a problem with the tanks paint....Like said earlier, check the bottom of the bag before "lowering" it on to the tank (when I refuel,I take my gloves off and put them on the seat, then put the tankbag on top of gloves; I also keep the safety strap attached on front).........Monk

[image: View Post]kb2wji, on Apr 29 2009, 11:41 PM, said:

Good advice about keeping the bag clean....the magnets are pretty strong and i'd hate to grind junk into the paint that way. I guess what they are talking about is the metallic flake in some paints may contain some magnetic components....imagine? Having a few perfect circles in the paint with LOTS of pearl? Like all the pearl in the tank drifts over to the spot where the magnets are? I think you guys are right though...keep it clean and the risk is low. Thanks!

............plus anyway, once the paint is dry, those flakes aren't going anywhere!
This person who made this all up must also believe in the Loch Ness monster and Batboy! :biggrin:

Beck
95 VFR

[image: View Post]kb2wji, on Apr 29 2009, 06:41 PM, said:

imagine? Having a few perfect circles in the paint with LOTS of pearl? Like all the pearl in the tank drifts over to the spot where the magnets are? I think you guys are right though...keep it clean and the risk is low. Thanks!

That sounds great... Then I'd have reference points to put my bag each time....That's why they call me, Monk !

[image: View Post]kb2wji, on Apr 29 2009, 06:41 PM, said:

Good advice about keeping the bag clean....the magnets are pretty strong and i'd hate to grind junk into the paint that way. I guess what they are talking about is the metallic flake in some paints may contain some magnetic components....imagine? Having a few perfect circles in the paint with LOTS of pearl? Like all the pearl in the tank drifts over to the spot where the magnets are? I think you guys are right though...keep it clean and the risk is low. Thanks!

Since you maintain the cleanest bike on the planet, I'm sure you'll be ok. :biggrin:

You gonna break out one of those mini-vacuum cleaners to clean the back of the bag next time we ride?. :laugh:

(I swear, it's the cleanest bike I've ever seen)

I had a problem with my paint. After a couple of hours of use the magnets from my bag would dig into the clear coat. You could feel the texture of the rubber on the bottom of the tank bag in the paint after removal. It would flatten back out after a night or so, but it really freaked me out. So I bought some static plastic and cut to fit under all the magnets. No problems since.

[image: View Post]Superceptor02, on Apr 30 2009, 07:37 AM, said:

I had a problem with my paint. After a couple of hours of use the magnets from my bag would dig into the clear coat. You could feel the texture of the rubber on the bottom of the tank bag in the paint after removal. It would flatten back out after a night or so, but it really freaked me out. So I bought some static plastic and cut to fit under all the magnets. No problems since.
+1 on keeping the underside of the tankbag clean. I have a bunch of small scratches from the tankbag and i'm always cleaning and making sure nothing is there, but over time you WILL get scratches in your paint. As far as the metal in the paint i claim BS.

I just put a layer of Saran wrap on the tank where the bag will sit. No scratches. And eveyone already has some Saran wrap.

[image: View Post]bear22099, on Apr 30 2009, 08:54 AM, said:

I just put a layer of Saran wrap on the tank where the bag will sit. No scratches. And eveyone already has some Saran wrap.
Excellent idea!!!!

Good advice so far. Another thing I've heard is to make sure not to leave bags on all the time. Evidently trapped moisture between the bag and the painted surface can lead to the paint fading and and even the clear coat and paint peeling off. :(

[image: View Post]Hypertension, on Apr 30 2009, 07:05 AM, said:

[image: View Post]kb2wji, on Apr 29 2009, 06:41 PM, said:

Good advice about keeping the bag clean....the magnets are pretty strong and i'd hate to grind junk into the paint that way. I guess what they are talking about is the metallic flake in some paints may contain some magnetic components....imagine? Having a few perfect circles in the paint with LOTS of pearl? Like all the pearl in the tank drifts over to the spot where the magnets are? I think you guys are right though...keep it clean and the risk is low. Thanks!

Since you maintain the cleanest bike on the planet, I'm sure you'll be ok. :biggrin:

You gonna break out one of those mini-vacuum cleaners to clean the back of the bag next time we ride?. :laugh:

(I swear, it's the cleanest bike I've ever seen)


If you ever see me flailing my arms as im riding, im ok.... I'm just swatting the bugs away before they splat on my paint :biggrin: Which reminds me, I have to buy some more stock in that Honda Spray Polish :biggrin: I've taken my cleaning as far as to take the lock mechanism's out of my Givi V35's to clean inside the locks. I'll be the first to admit its a sickness. I took a dish sponge, and cut it into a shape thats perfect for cleaning inside the spokes of the wheels. :laugh: