Will This 'buff Out'?

I know some will consider this too fussy, but I do wash and wax my VFR a few times each season--particularly after a long tour, a ride with lots of insects, a rainstorm, before and after storage, etc.

On my recent 3,500 mile (5,700 km) ride to SumSum3 and back, I used the Revpack Tourpack that I've had for many years.  It's a u-pack that fits over the pillion seat.  I like it because it keeps the weight low and is easily transferred between the VFR and my dual sport. It secures to the bike with two straps that go under the seat and buckle to the bag. I always criss-cross two additional straps over the top so it is very secure.

When doing day rides from a 'base,' like the motel in Montrose, I usually remove the side cases and tourpack and just use a tank bag.  I've done this now for all of the five summers I've owned my VFR without any issues.  I have always left the under seat straps in place, though they're not difficult to remove.  I did the same thing this year at SumSum, but on each ride we encountered construction, and by the end of the third day the bike was covered in a fine coating of Colorado dust.  That's when I noticed that the excess strap that had been flapping around in the wind during the day rides had sanded a neatly triangular dull spot into my tail fairing beside the seat (Doh!).  I could have easily removed the strap or put some 3M protection film on the area (I have squares of it to keep the buckles from rubbing), but it never occurred to me that the excess strap would sand off the finish.  (Of course, when the pack is on the straps are held away from the paint.) Here's the offending strap--3/4-inch nylon, about six inches of excess:

[image: Strap.jpg]

And here's what it did to the paint--not that easy to capture in a picture:

[image: Blemish1.jpg]

So, the question: Will this buff out?  If so, how?  I know there are buffing wheels, cutting paste, various polishes and so forth--will some combination of same restore the shine or is this just another bit of evidence that my bike is a 'rider'?  If so, I won't lose too much sleep over it.

While on the subject of cleaning and finishes, I had a key fob with a black plastic piece on it that left some marks on the upper triple tree.  I'm always careful to keep any key fob light and soft, with only the ignition key on it, but this one fooled me and left marks anyway.  I've tried several cleaners in an attempt to get the marks off, but the surface is not smooth and so far I haven't been successful:

[image: Tree.jpg]

Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

I'd give something like Meguiar's® Clear Coat Safe Polishing Compound a try for the strap marks if that doesn't work put a sticker over it and drink a beer. Apply one of those vinyl protective patches over the affected area if it does buff out so you won't have to do this again.

The chemicals in the compound with some light hand buffing may lift the black marks too

You can try a small, fine brass brush on the triple clamp with a mild cleaning solution.  (Brass - softer than aluminum)  I had excellent results in cleaning aluminum up with same. I would go at a very small section first to determine the result.   

Dave

It partly depends on whether it got through the clear coat.  If not then starting with a medium compound (using a wool pad will be even more aggressive) then moving on to a finer one with foam pad or cotton cloth then using a finishing compound should probably do it.  If it's through the clear it will probably clean up but the gloss won't be the same.  A store that sells automotive paint supplies would have a good selection of polishes and can give advice on which to use. 

You can try a small, fine brass brush on the triple clamp with a mild cleaning solution.  (Brass - softer than aluminum)  I had excellent results in cleaning aluminum up with same. I would go at a very small section first to determine the result.   

Dave

I wonder if that barkeepers friend powder would work. :unsure:

I'd give something like Meguiar's® Clear Coat Safe Polishing Compound a try for the strap marks if that doesn't work put a sticker over it and drink a beer. Apply one of those vinyl protective patches over the affected area if it does buff out so you won't have to do this again.

The chemicals in the compound with some light hand buffing may lift the black marks too

Thanks for the tip! I know a couple of local auto stores that carry Meguiar's products.

I'd give something like Meguiar's® Clear Coat Safe Polishing Compound a try for the strap marks if that doesn't work put a sticker over it and drink a beer. Apply one of those vinyl protective patches over the affected area if it does buff out so you won't have to do this again.
The chemicals in the compound with some light hand buffing may lift the black marks too

 
Thanks for the tip! I know a couple of local auto stores that carry Meguiar's products.

Another good tip is to use a microfibre cloth with the polishes. These are softer and less likely to scratch the surface more than it is and make a larger area dull. If you use a polisher be careful not to apply too much pressure or leave the polisher in one spot for a long period as the plastic parts will heat up very quickly making it easy to burn through the clear coat and base coat. Not sure how close you are to the Kelowna area, but I'd be happy to buff the area out for you if you like.

If the black marks are actually left over transfer bits of plastic from the fob itself then you might something like WD40 on a terry cloth towel and rub it off. I've used this trick a few times and it worked great.

Honda Polish is amazing.  I have tried Meguirs and Griots garage, and they were good.  But nothing seems to work as Honda's professional polish.  Not cheap but in my experience if it doesnt take the scratch out then it is too deep (past the clearcoat).

I also have a 3" orbital from Griots garage that comes in handy for buffing out scratches, along with quickly waxing the fleet.  Sure beats doing it by hand and its easy to use.

Flitz might be something to try on the triple clamp.  I would suggest using all of these in a small area first to see what happens.

For the triple tree try Autosol Metal Polish. I originally started using it on pipes, but I use it on anything metal now. You will be amazed...