Frame Paint Fading

[Brett01]

Gradually over time I am having the paint on my frame fade, didnt bother me at first but now its starting to get bigger. I can even see the black mark on the knee of my draggins

Anyone else had this problem???? Its an '06, about 22,000 on it.

 

[Jobe Zeebuh]

No. Not me. Was the bike re-painted with cheap paint maybe?

 

[Builtdesign]

It appears as though its been repainted. Take a look at the 2nd pic, the color of the frame does not match that of the swingarm.

 

[nilla]

GET SOME FRAME PUCKS!!!

 

[JohnnyD]

X2 on installing frame pucks. It does look like it has been repainted form the photos posted.

 

[93fee]

frame pucks doesn't cover this faded part of frame. it does look like you (or maybe previous owner) ride in slider fitted pants that scratched a frame in this place for long time resulting this faded area to appear, but i consider that this particular frame was not repainted. even if you look at the second picture you can see that swingarm is in sunlight & frame is in shade basicaly but the part of frame at the sunlight is exacly the same color as swingarm. also stickers under triple tree are in its place (usually gone after repainting).

 

[nilla]

agreed, the pucks woul not cover that, but they are still a great idea.

http://www.americansportbike.com/shoponline/ccp0-prodshow/17149.html

and you can get a can of spray paint to match the frame color spot-on. make sure to keep shaking the can inbetween passes. other than that; it's all in the prepwork

 

[andymnelson]

I can attest to the high quality of the Buell spray cans. It is GREAT paint, and matched perfectly. You literally can not tell what parts of my frame I have painted and which ones are original paint.

 

[squidbuellie]

looks like it's been touched up before(header and handle bar end are ground up from low slide)and if you wear a riding suit and your knee puck rubs on that part of the frame. so my two cents are pick up some touch up paint and some frame pucks and ride it. here's the link for the paint.
http://www.americansportbike.com/shoponline/ccp0-prodshow/17149.html

 

[JohnnyD]

Grab a can of that paint that was posted above and while you are at ASB, pick up a set of frame pucks and Gripster Grip Pads...

 

[Jobe Zeebuh]

The only problem is if his bike was repainted. Buell paint may or may not match. I recommended trying to strip all that "cheap paint" off. If you do it right the you may reveal the factory buell finish. Another option of corse is powder coating or sand all the paint off the the bare aluminum and polish it.

First I would tape and plastic bike off, then use scotch pads and paint remover. (Not paint thinner or mineral spirits) Start by the spot were the paint is already removed. See what happens. Dont scrub too hard. You dont want to remove the factory paint underneath.

Good luck! Lemme know if you have any other questions about pro painting!

 

[1972c10]

that paint isnt faiding, if you rub your knee on any paint job long enough that will happen

 

[Brett01]

Thanks for all your input guys. Bike has been lowsided on that side ( not by me!) and may have been repainted, but there is also some fading on both sides of the swingarm where my heel rubs, so this must have been repainted as well.

There's a very good reason why I haven't put pucks or asb grips on the frame, coz they look better without them! I decided to not crash instead.

The fading has happened almost entirely since I've had the bike, and im usually wearing draggins, or my work pants when I'm feeling squiddy.
Awesome job on the frame andymnelson, I think this will be the path I'll have to take! I hope 1972c10 is right, and I'm just rubbing against the wrong parts of my bike.

 

[squidbuellie]

you know there is one more thing you can try is pig spit. you can pick it up for about $12 from your local harley dealer. it will bring most of the shine back then wax

 

[Brett01]

pigspit? I've never heard of this...I am waxing it at the moment but only the plastics - airbox cover, chin, front fender and screen. Can pigspit be used on all the surfaces?

We have catcrap here in Oz but thats for helmet visors-

Bikers come up with the best product names!

 

[squidbuellie]

you can pick it up at the harley dealer. what i do is spray 1/2 and 1/2 simple green let it sit for 5 minutes spray off,dry then put pigspit on everything(except rubber on tires)let it sit for about 10 minutes then wipe off. then wax air cleaner cover,front fender and wind guard.

 

[Mike Van V]

I use WD-40 on both my XB and 1125.
Sort of in place Windex or some other cleaner. Spray (lightly) on a rag and wipe the frame down until it doesn't shine anymore.

Keeps the factory fresh look...!

But with strange paint situations like repaint...good luck.

Mike