Removing light scratches from plastic covers on Spyder

[Jeffmal]

Yesterday I had some lights installed on my brand new F3T (which came out great ).
Unfortunately, after the install I noticed some fine scratches all over. I think some bare wires were
inadvertently dragged across the surface! (Yikes ).
Does anyone have experience in removing those fine scratches without doing more damage.
Please only answer if you have experience as there are many articles from people suggesting what may work.
Thanks in advance for any help!
Jeff

[Bob Denman]

I wouldn't use anything stronger than an automotive polish.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I wouldn't use anything stronger than an automotive polish.

......and start by using the Mildest version of whatever product you chose. It might be a bit more expensive doing it this way. But the less you remove to correct this issue the better...... Mike

[Jeffmal]

I wouldn't use anything stronger than an automotive polish.

Hi Bob,
Was that your experience?
What polish did you use??
Thanks for your reply!

[Jeffmal]

......and start by using the Mildest version of whatever product you chose. It might be a bit more expensive doing it this way. But the less you remove to correct this issue the better...... Mike

I would love it if someone had performed this and has a specific product and technique that worked and could share their experience.
Thanks....
Jeff

[Bob Denman]

Hi Bob,
Was that your experience?
What polish did you use??
Thanks for your reply!

We had this car wax that went by the name "Pig Snot"
It was about the slickest and shiniest stuff that I ever saw.
On light (really light) surface scratches: it cleaned them up nicely.
I never tried it on anything heavier than that.

I think that any automotive paste wax would work about the same. Try your favorite, and let us know!

[Jeffmal]

I am experienced with detailing cars with clearcoat etc..
Unfortunately plastic is very different and I'm not sure what to use that is why
I am putting it out to the Spyder world to see if anyone has figured it out to perfection.
I know there are a lot of good suggestion but we all need a tried and proven method with the
proper products to ensure we aren't doing further damage.
If you have performed this successfully on your Spyder, all of us with small scratches would love to hear from you...
Thanks

[Chupaca]

I have had good luck with toothpaste with a fiber cloth and follow with whatever wax/polish you use. There are too many polishes out there now a days to remember them. Now that I use only the liquid type...plexus...black diamond...protectall...and most resently 303 they will not do the trick but will make them shine... there are products out there that fill the scratches but have not tried them....

[Bob Denman]

I've used toothpaste also... it's great on deeper stuff, but I'm not sure how that would look against the much larger body panel surrounding it.

[JAS POWER]

Either try what was mentioned above, or do it the easy way either live with the scratches, or replace the panel(s) your bothered by

[pegasus1300]

since it is not the plastic you are scratching but the clearcoat,anything you use to remove the scratches on clear coat will work in your Spyder. This is not some strange mysterious finish out of never never land,but a regular automotive style finish so you can use your regular style techniques.

[Bob Denman]

Either try what was mentioned above, or do it the easy way either live with the scratches, or replace the panel(s) your bothered by

If you don't clean your glasses, it makes it easy to live with them.

[JAS POWER]

since it is not the plastic you are scratching but the clearcoat,anything you use to remove the scratches on clear coat will work in your Spyder. This is not some strange mysterious finish out of never never land,but a regular automotive style finish so you can use your regular style techniques.

I believe the panels are just painted plastic with automotive type finishes. To my knowlege the only finishes I would worry about are if you have any matt finish on your spyder, if you do that would be the only place of concern for using automotive type wax. Its not like a plastic fender on a motocross bike that is a plastic that has color in it when they mold it.

This is what the 2012 RS-S owners manual says regarding waxing their finishes...

Waxing
Do not wax or polish mattsurfaces (including matt paint fin-ishes).


MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES

SURFACE	RECOMMENDATION
Glossy paintfinishes	Apply only non-abrasivewax, safe for clearcoat paints
Matt paintfinishes	Avoid applying wax
Mattfinishes

Windshield can be polished with a plas-tic cleaner/polisher.
Do not use water repel-lent products on windshield.

Do not apply a vinyl or plastic pro-tector on the seat as the surfacewill become slippery and the oper-ator or the passenger may slip offthe vehicle.

[Jeffmal]

Either try what was mentioned above, or do it the easy way either live with the scratches, or replace the panel(s) your bothered by

Unfortunately, although there have been some good suggestions, I don't believe anyone stated they have successfully tried
them on their rydes. As I stated, I am proficient in car detailing but I do believe the plastic is quite different that's why I'm putting it out there to a collective
group like you guys that may have the experience. I really don't want to buy a new panel or live with it as you suggested!
Thanks anyway....

[JAS POWER]

As for a technique (I'm surprised Bob didn't post a video)...

[asp125]

If it's light scratches caused by a wire dragging across the panel, any automotive grade paint polish will work. Chances are it only scuffed up the surface clearcoat. BRP touch up paint is a two step (paint/clearcoat) process so I believe the same process is done at the factory. I've done automotive paint correction: using abrasive cleaners and power orbital polishers, and can say most light scuffs that don't penetrate past the clear coat can be polished out.

[Jeffmal]

As for a technique (I'm surprised Bob didn't post a video)...

Now, at least that is funny! Thanks for the levity😂👏

[Bob Denman]

Unfortunately, although there have been some good suggestions, I don't believe anyone stated they have successfully tried
them on their rydes. As I stated, I am proficient in car detailing but I do believe the plastic is quite different that's why I'm putting it out there to a collective
group like you guys that may have the experience. I really don't want to buy a new panel or live with it as you suggested!
Thanks anyway....

Did you happen to see my answer in Post #6?

[NewYorkSpyder]

Have detailed many bikes and cars the best I've found is a product called Gel Gloss liquid it's used for polishing fiberglass tubs and sinks and can be purchased at either Lowes or Home Depot in the plumbing/bath dept.. You can't go nuts with it but it will remove scratches and paint transfers easily also will do a great job on chrome you must be careful as with any abrasive type liquid rubbing compound but in over 30 years of use I have never gone thru clear coat or damaged paint.

[happyspyder2039]

Yesterday I had some lights installed on my brand new F3T (which came out great ).
Unfortunately, after the install I noticed some fine scratches all over. I think some bare wires were
inadvertently dragged across the surface! (Yikes ).
Does anyone have experience in removing those fine scratches without doing more damage.
Please only answer if you have experience as there are many articles from people suggesting what may work.
Thanks in advance for any help!
Jeff

I had scratches on my 15rts & body shop used this. It works great.

https://www.amazon.com/3M-05996-Mach...e+polish+05996

[Navydad]

Use sparingly and do a small area at a time. This stuff is a bear to remove if you allow it to dry very long. It will leave a nice shine, but is not a protective finish so after use you will need to use the wax or polish of your choosing. Read and follow the directions and it does a decent job. It is a very mild compound and is supposed to be for new paint that hasn't fully cured yet, but it does a good job on light scratches.

[canamjhb]

I have used 3M super Duty Rubbing Compound to bring oxidated and scratched fiberglass (FRP) back to life. It will probably remove the clear coat. But that can be easily reapplied..... Good luck

[viperryder]

I have used the following on both our Gold Wing and our Spyder. The scratches on the GW were on the windshield from varies reasons. I have had minor scratches on our 2014 RTS and have them removed. The product is" Meguiar's Mirror Glaze. One product is called clear plastic ppolish and the other is clear plastic cleaner. I have used the cleaner more than the polish. They can be ordered on the internet at meguiars.com. Hope this helps.

[grumpybob]

Watching this thread with interest. I had a electric power line come down in the middle of my lane. Hit the brakes & swerved but couldn't avoid it hitting the Spyder. Hit the right hand side by the windshield, then the storage compartment. Got black marks, scratches, and some missing paint. Missed Nan's leg by about 2 inches. Left if for this spring, to fix.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

[QUOTE=grumpybob;1329723]Watching this thread with interest. I had a electric power line come down in the middle of my lane. Hit the brakes & swerved but couldn't avoid it hitting the Spyder. Hit the right hand side by the windshield, then the storage compartment. Got black marks, scratches, and some missing paint. Missed Nan's leg by about 2 inches. Left if for this spring, to fix..........................Contact the power co. and get them to pay for it ....they have ins. also ........Mike