Clear Coat?

[RuneRider66]

I recently purchased a 2013 black F6B. It now has 900 miles on it. I am not happy with the paint protection, especially with the small micro scratches on the parts on and around the gas cover.

What would it take to have a clear coat sprayed on the bike? Would I have to dismantle all the parts? or just some of them and tape off the rest? I would like to keep the paint looking as good as possible.

Thoughts and suggestions?

Just took the Rune on a 2 thousand mile trip because I didnt want the paint of the B to get messed up. Yes, I know. I am a bit anal but want to keep it nice!!!

I have a friend that does damn good paint work....HOLY CITY Choppers in Charleston. Have been thinking about him just putting a clear coat on the B. Does he have to sand or scuff the paint in order to spray the clear?

Just looking for advice.

Thank you

[Felloverboard]

http://hondaf6b.com/showthread.php?8751-Re-Paint-amp-Disassemble&highlight=Repaint

[Felloverboard]

http://hondaf6b.com/showthread.php?9004-New-Paint-Done&highlight=paint

[RuneRider66]

Very nice, you did a great job.

Dang
A lot of work for just a clear coat...maybe I should just ride and not worry about it....then repaint it in a few years.

[Felloverboard]

Not just clearcoat. Metallic red with a tinted clearcoat them several coats of regular clear over that then 3000 grit sanded and then buffed.

[STRaider]

Very nice, you did a great job.

Dang
A lot of work for just a clear coat...maybe I should just ride and not worry about it....then repaint it in a few years.

I'm pretty sure this will be my approach. It irritates me to no end that Honda did this, but I love the bike and hope to keep this on a very long time, so I am starting to accept I will just have to paint it at some point. I'm hoping at some point Honda will have to acknowledge the problem.

[Felloverboard]

It is a lot of work, if to do over I would shine the black asbest I could and just ride, saving the $1400 that itcost. And that price is withme tearing down an reinstalling. I do know how it all goes together now and have no fear to disassemble the body parts for air filter or any other which takes a while. I would also help others to dissasemble for a cheap price, a bed, meals while visiting a new area.

[RuneRider66]

Better get yourself ready big boy...your coming to Myrtle Beach!

[Felloverboard]

In WV at the moment helping 85 yr old mom with some things. But like to travel around usually. Stay in touch and we can discuss it.

[JackB]

I also have a black 2013 with the same paint problems.
I called up Glare ang talked to them and I bought the Winners Circle kit.
Bike now looks great I can wipe the bike down and it doesn't scratch the paint.
And it has a fantastic shine!
http://www.glare.com/products

[Greg O]

Very nice, you did a great job.

Dang
A lot of work for just a clear coat...maybe I should just ride and not worry about it....then repaint it in a few years.

That's what I am going to do.

[No Handle Sam]

Very nice, you did a great job.

Dang
A lot of work for just a clear coat...maybe I should just ride and not worry about it....then repaint it in a few years.

One of the reasons I traded my 2013 in for a 2015 to get that matte silver finish. Wash it and go. Easiest bike I've ever had to take care of. Especially after having a Rune with all of the chrome and tight spots to clean.

[Felloverboard]

I use a small pressure washer and a lawn blower to dry. Very easy and shine every time.

[Hodgey1]

I use a small pressure washer and a lawn blower to dry. Very easy and shine every time.

Do you soap her up first before pressure washing? Any other steps?

[Felloverboard]

Do you soap her up first before pressure washing? Any other steps?

I have Turtle wax ICE on the bike. The shine has lasted several months just doing a pressure spray off about once every few weeks. I blow dry to keep the water spots off. A world of difference since getting a real paint job. When I first bought the bike I put about 4--5 coats of Liquid Glass on. That is just a temporary bandaid as far as I am concerned, and is only good as long as you don't touch the bike. My bike looks good all the time now, even when a little dirty the shine comes through.

[gmorstad]

I was talking to the service manager at the dealership where I purchased my F6B about scratches on my paint. During the conversation he told me that plastic parts cannot be clear coated because they flex and the clear coat will crack unlike steel that does not flex. He confirmed, that's why Harley's have such great paint jobs. He then pointed out the advantages of plastic over steel including weight savings.

I am in no position to argue, confirm or deny this claim. Maybe others who might have expertise on this subject can.

After reading posts here I know my dream of repainting the B is not going to happen so I will remain happy with black and take care of it the best I can.

[Felloverboard]

I was talking to the service manager at the dealership where I purchased my F6B about scratches on my paint. During the conversation he told me that plastic parts cannot be clear coated because they flex and the clear coat will crack unlike steel that does not flex. He confirmed, that's why Harley's have such great paint jobs. He then pointed out the advantages of plastic over steel including weight savings.

I am in no position to argue, confirm or deny this claim. Maybe others who might have expertise on this subject can.

After reading posts here I know my dream of repainting the B is not going to happen so I will remain happy with black and take care of it the best I can.

Wow.... what a load of BS.... My tupperware bike is clearcoated 3 times with my new paint. Corvettes are clearcoated (plastic). Toyotas are clearcoated (Plastic)..... Go see how many plastic parts are on your car. Go see how many plastic parts are on the car that the service manager drives. Just more of Hondas BS. Goldwings with Metallic paint are clearcoated. ( I believe that all metallics have to be clearcoated) That is why Honda puts a light coat of clearcoat on all their metallics..
It is a slightly different mix of the clearcoat specs for Plastics. Try going to an auto paint repair shop and ask the same question. Fact is that Honda has been using a water based enamel on solid color paints the last few years that is cheaper and does not take clearcoat, but scratches easily and they are ashamed to admit their mistake. LOOK closely at the pic.... one coat of tinted clearcoat with several coats of regular clearcoat. Have done several 1,000 mile trip since painting....... no scratches, quick wash & dry. And I don't baby it.......
Honda was in a class action lawsuit on their cars from the late 1990's and early 2000's because of a cheap clearcoat they were putting on all of their cars and the clearcoat cracked and peeled <<< those were metal parts not plastics. The new Toyota van in the pic of the bike below is part plastic and part metal body parts..... all clearcoated.

[Paul B Blues]

I have a few coats of Liquid Glass on my 2013 Black F6B, and I use these bad boys to help keep her looking shiny.

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