[ARBOLMANO]

I love Plastic most the time. I saw right off with my triple black unit that my big belly was going to scratch the gloss finish. So I applied a cheap protector. Didn’t work well, still scratched around protector. Removing the protector proved disaster as glue didn’t release! I lost patience and really messed it up. So out came fine grade sand paper and I went to sand out scratches and bring back gloss finish. But I only had 220 grit and fundless on a Sunday. Okay fine I’ll go with a “matte” finish on the scratch zone. Then I spied a headlight restoration kit on shelf. I used the abrasives to work on my matte finish, not quite right but better. I had already decided it was time to try shrink wrapping the cover until I could afford a new cover ($80) already in matte. The matte finish is scratch resistant. But I had the kit there with this treated cloth containing a sealer so I used it.
Holy Shine Bat Man. Suddenly the gloss was back! Just amazing. No picts as I should spent more time and some 600 grit wet sand so all the fine scratches show through. But the principle is sound! If you’ve belly scratches fetch up a headlight restoration kit. Though replacement of gloss cover with matte a better solution. I’ve found the matte plastic on mine to be scratch proof and I’ve tested it rather hard.

 

[hasselman]

Good job Mr Tree Hand. As scratches and dents give street credibility, I'll continue to improve my bike's Adv-look.

 

[Billy Numb Butt]

Removing the protector proved disaster as glue didn’t release! I lost patience and really messed it up.

....

The matte finish is scratch resistant.

The original matte finish?
...

Suddenly the gloss was back! Just amazing. ... I’ve found the matte plastic on mine to be scratch proof and I’ve tested it rather hard.

So maybe a heat gun would have worked to remove the gummy Gumby?

The original matte finish is scratch resistant ?

Is that the black matte 'center piece" on the tank? Certainly I"ve never used one of those protectors, but in the case of the 310, I'm thinkin' it might be smart. But then you've thrown the whole into a question: Should I or should I not?

 

[Cyrille]

What a hassle Mr Arbolmano ... This is what happens when wearing a large cowboy 🤠 belt buckle and eating unhealthy American food .

More seriously when riding my previous bike I used to attach my home keys to the front of my jeans, which caused scratches on the fuel tank. Poor habit! That said my GS is fitted with an adhesive tank protection.

 

[Billy Numb Butt]

What a hassle Mr Arbolmano ... This is what happens when wearing a large cowboy 🤠 belt buckle and eating unhealthy American food .

More seriously when riding my previous bike I used to attach my home keys to the front of my jeans, which caused scratches on the fuel tank. Poor habit! That said my GS is fitted with an adhesive tank protection.

Well, we guitar players learned a similar lesson. Buckles and buttons would gouge the wood or scratch it, or pock mark it. I worked in a specialty guitar shop and you could tell the 'real players' from 'the rest'. The real players put the buckle to the side of their pant, not to the front. Looked a little odd, but the instrument was perfect on the back.

My G310 is sort of a concern to me. I like to ride 'belly-up" to the tank. I've never heard this engine run since I bought it in the late fall, but I know how I ride.

So your advice is important to me, everyone. Give me ideas. I also want some traction padding on the side of the tank.

 

[Billdiver47]

Surely a cheaper option and better for you is to lose the belly!

 

[ARBOLMANO]

I got around to taking pictures. Yes the stock matte black is extremly scratch resistant. I’ve tested pretty hard. The one pict shows what I applied to protect tank. It did not work well and I thought ugly. Heat only made the stupid thing stick better. I peeled off the hard plastic with floss but the foam backing Uber strong bonded. That’s where I lost it and just grabbed a cookie (normally used for prepping cast iron like RR cylinder head) and rotary tool and got the foam off. Leaving horrid gouges etc. No picts, too horrid.
Other photo shows what using headlight restoration kit does. If I had not gouged it and used 220 grit paper I think it would have been very close to untouched gloss. I may leave it as is for now it’s reasonably okay and won’t scratch. I believe a matte vinyl wrap would be an excellent fix. Followed by a new cover in matte instead of black. As a dual sport it should be scratch proof. That’s a vulnerable spot mine scratched even with the rubber buttons on my Rally jacket with a nap. Monster mash with my leather and a little dirt. Glossy black known for that.
An intelligent person would just wrap the cover with matte before getting at it. Or use a protector that works or just use headlight refinish once in while, not gouging plastic first.

,

 

[Cyrille]

What a hassle given the fact that the plastic cover costs approximately 50€. You get a new one, the problem is fixed.

 

[ARBOLMANO]

Yes new cover would be it. But I’m getting two bikes ready for busy season and my Finance minister only Tolerates my habit, she won’t fund it. Being disabled I’m on a silly fixed meger income. It’s a bother but better than not riding at all! I’m actually not 100% the top cover comes in matte….
Poor people are not supposed to own a BMW I enjoy being an outlier.

 

[Billy Numb Butt]

Surely a cheaper option and better for you is to lose the belly!

I need your address for my fitness membership

.

 

[Billy Numb Butt]

Yes new cover would be it. But I’m getting two bikes ready for busy season and my Finance minister only Tolerates my habit, she won’t fund it. Being disabled I’m on a silly fixed meger income. It’s a bother but better than not riding at all! I’m actually not 100% the top cover comes in matte….
Poor people are not supposed to own a BMW I enjoy being an outlier.

I'm behind you in the "Poor people" line. I'm wondering how well you could do a custom swirl or other paint. Maybe camo? (Too much camo in the world, in my opinion.)

We admire your bravery, to let us learn from a simple and probably common error.

 

[chewy land]

I am finding my tanklock bag is slowly chafing the paint on the tank, too (I can see it making the paint dull over time). This thread is a great head's up for me to put a little transparent tape on the front (back?) of the tank......the part closest to the seat.

 

[Billy Numb Butt]

I am finding my tanklock bag is slowly chafing the paint on the tank, too (I can see it making the paint dull over time). This thread is a great head's up for me to put a little transparent tape on the front (back?) of the tank......the part closest to the seat.

Rather than "transparent" tape, there's strong recommendations to use 'helicopter tape'. That's a tough tape.

It may be that in a couple of years it yellows. So the effect of that on your colours wouldn't be very much. I've seen it in a used condition, on white. The colour yellowing was minimal.

You may be able to find it at a sign maker. They'll also have plain colours and reflective colours that may match your needs. As well, a sign maker can make small or large designs with or without print, to your sizing choice. They'll overlay colours to your wish.

They usually give it to you with sort of a masking tape on it, with the letters all aligned per your design and all you have to do is apply it to your bike or helmet (match 'm?).

The helicopter tape is likely a perfect fit for your tank application.

How d'y' like them apples?

 

[ARBOLMANO]

A square of vinyl wrap won’t cost more than $30 and will protect from scratches. I’ve not done this afore but looks simple enough. I suspect if one took the panel off and went to a pro wrapper it wouldnt be too dear either.

 

[Billy Numb Butt]

W

A square of vinyl wrap won’t cost more than $30 and will protect from scratches. I’ve not done this afore but looks simple enough. I suspect if one took the panel off and went to a pro wrapper it wouldnt be too dear either.

here's the vy

A square of vinyl wrap won’t cost more than $30 and will protect from scratches. I’ve not done this afore but looks simple enough. I suspect if one took the panel off and went to a pro wrapper it wouldnt be too dear either.

Where do I find the vinyl wrap, then?

 

[ARBOLMANO]

There’s a store here in town where they wrap cars! Crazy man! They said bring the part to them an they’d do it right for less than I could buy a piece of vinyl. But one worker was second cousin to one my crew afore I stopped working, so I was getting the ”familia“ price.
I’m not doing nutting now staring at my scar is good reminder not to lose temper.
But that said if your near a place that wraps, that would be good way to obtain material. Otherwise all the usual suspects have vinyl wrap material. Google it but it’s a dizzying array of choices in color, price, quality, adhesive etc. Seeing those guys wrapping whole cars got me thinking maybe I could have all my fleet one color might be fun April Fools day. Apparently been around awhile….

 

[JerryG]

I've bought material from these guys for years. They have motorcycle kits and bulk material...

tapeworks.com

My experience is that if you're doing a small area, you can do it yourself without too much frustration. However, if you're doing a whole bike, I recommend you have a pro do it.

When my S1000RR and my S1000XR were new, I had a pro wrap them in clear paint protective film. Both bikes now have more than 30,000 miles each and still look new.

I chose not to do protect my G310GS because I knew there'd be a lot of off-road crashes that would probably go through the PPF. I wanted my off-road bike to sport off-road battle scars.