Solutions for fixing scratched FLSB saddlebag lid.

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  • RossW
    RossW
    4 years ago
    ..and I mean badly scratched.

    This is what happens when you put them on and forget to latch them.
    Options I'd like to explore:
    Complete replacement with original
    Complete replacement with aftermarket
    Replace just one
    Replace just the lid.
    Respray to match (Twisted Cherry) both sides
    Respray with Plastidip both sides
    Respray Matt Black.
    Vinyl wrap - can this be had in Twisted Cherry?
    Anything above other than replace or Plastidip I would not attempt DIY.
    Thoughts? Ballpark numbers?
  • shady1964
    shady1964
    4 years ago
    wow, I reckon platisdip would work or you could try a satin black interior spray paint from Bunnings or supercheap....
  • paulybronco
    paulybronco
    4 years ago
    Quoting shady1964 on 11 Apr 2020 10:09 PM

    wow, I reckon platisdip would work or you could try a satin black interior spray paint from Bunnings or supercheap....

    Take them to a panel shop for a repaint. My Hd lowers were $550 some time ago
  • wello
    wello
    4 years ago
    just the lids done in twisted cherry would look pretty kool
  • brucefxdl
    brucefxdl
    4 years ago
    its not my bike....but if it was...twisted cherry would look great[ love the color]matching the the rest.
  • RossW
    RossW
    4 years ago
    Quoting brucefxdl on 12 Apr 2020 08:28 AM

    its not my bike....but if it was...twisted cherry would look great[ love the color]matching the the rest.

    I'm certainly toying with the idea. Anyone know a panel shop in the Maitland / Newcastle area that would be suitable for this kind of work?
    I just did a quick google search using the part number for the RHS lid. $500-750 plus shipping is fairly typical. That colour match painting is looking more and more attractive...
  • RossW
    RossW
    4 years ago
    I made some enquiries with a local smash repairer here in Maitland. Apparently, Harley Davidson have not made paint formulations or specs available since 2010, so if you want an exact match to an HD colour, you need to get the paint from Harley Davidson in the USA. 
    Of course in these Covid19 influenced times and with HD's well known supply chain issues, that could take months. Smash repairer is looking to see if they can come up with a "near enough" match but the idea of just replacing the lid is looking more atttractive...
  • steelo
    steelo
    4 years ago
    You might be in the same supply boat with just the lid Ross. 
    There is some satisfaction in getting your original lid refinished. 
    If you are determined to replace the lid eventually, have a try sanding filling and repainting it yourself. If you like the finish, repaint the other one. Or not. No one can see both sides at the same time. After a week or so, you won’t give it another thought. 
  • RossW
    RossW
    4 years ago
    Quoting steelo on 15 Apr 2020 02:53 AMedited: 15 Apr 2020 02:54 AM

    You might be in the same supply boat with just the lid Ross. 

    There is some satisfaction in getting your original lid refinished. 
    If you are determined to replace the lid eventually, have a try sanding filling and repainting it yourself. If you like the finish, repaint the other one. Or not. No one can see both sides at the same time. After a week or so, you won’t give it another thought. 

    Frasers say they have a lid in stock in Sydney for $389,  which is a lot less than the ones I saw on line and should be able to ship in  a week or so.
    I am considering just going Plastidip. I've used that before and it gives a pretty decent matt black finish, with the advantage that it's easy to repair if necessary and easy to remove later if I want.
  • beaglebasher
    beaglebasher
    4 years ago
    Quoting RossW on 11 Apr 2020 09:05 PM

    ..and I mean badly scratched.

    This is what happens when you put them on and forget to latch them.

    Options I'd like to explore:
    Complete replacement with original
    Complete replacement with aftermarket
    Replace just one
    Replace just the lid.
    Respray to match (Twisted Cherry) both sides
    Respray with Plastidip both sides
    Respray Matt Black.
    Vinyl wrap - can this be had in Twisted Cherry?
    Anything above other than replace or Plastidip I would not attempt DIY.
    Thoughts? Ballpark numbers?

    Have you considered leaving  the scratches on it , maybe even adding some more and clear coating it?
    I am not  artistically inclined but I think you might have the empty canvas so to speak.
    What have you got to lose?
    PS: A nice pair of tits would contrast well with all the straight lines.
  • paulybronco
    paulybronco
    4 years ago
    Quoting RossW on 15 Apr 2020 02:34 AM

    I made some enquiries with a local smash repairer here in Maitland. Apparently, Harley Davidson have not made paint formulations or specs available since 2010, so if you want an exact match to an HD colour, you need to get the paint from Harley Davidson in the USA. 

    Of course in these Covid19 influenced times and with HD's well known supply chain issues, that could take months. Smash repairer is looking to see if they can come up with a "near enough" match but the idea of just replacing the lid is looking more atttractive...

    A decent painter can match the paint. They did with my lowers.
  • RossW
    RossW
    4 years ago
    Quoting RossW on 15 Apr 2020 02:34 AM

    I made some enquiries with a local smash repairer here in Maitland. Apparently, Harley Davidson have not made paint formulations or specs available since 2010, so if you want an exact match to an HD colour, you need to get the paint from Harley Davidson in the USA. 

    Of course in these Covid19 influenced times and with HD's well known supply chain issues, that could take months. Smash repairer is looking to see if they can come up with a "near enough" match but the idea of just replacing the lid is looking more atttractive...

    Quoting paulybronco on 15 Apr 2020 09:28 AM

    A decent painter can match the paint. They did with my lowers.

    I was told by a local smash repairer that the only source of paint for anything after 2010 is HD themselves, having decided not release the formulas or specs. 
  • Soapbox2627
    Soapbox2627
    4 years ago

    I carried in a strip of a painted wall I wanted the matched color for, the paint shop put it in the machine and got the wix ingrediance and mixed it up for me

    should be able to do that with bike paint, I cant see why not

  • RossW
    RossW
    4 years ago
    Quoting Soapbox2627 on 15 Apr 2020 11:06 AM

    I carried in a strip of a painted wall I wanted the matched color for, the paint shop put it in the machine and got the wix ingrediance and mixed it up for me

    should be able to do that with bike paint, I cant see why not

    I would have thought so too. It could be because it's a multi layer metallic system that's hard to reproduce, but I was told they'd gone to a number of paint suppliers and noone could help them for a post 2010 model.
  • paulybronco
    paulybronco
    4 years ago
    Quoting RossW on 15 Apr 2020 02:34 AM

    I made some enquiries with a local smash repairer here in Maitland. Apparently, Harley Davidson have not made paint formulations or specs available since 2010, so if you want an exact match to an HD colour, you need to get the paint from Harley Davidson in the USA. 

    Of course in these Covid19 influenced times and with HD's well known supply chain issues, that could take months. Smash repairer is looking to see if they can come up with a "near enough" match but the idea of just replacing the lid is looking more atttractive...

    Quoting paulybronco on 15 Apr 2020 09:28 AM

    A decent painter can match the paint. They did with my lowers.

    Quoting RossW on 15 Apr 2020 09:48 AM

    I was told by a local smash repairer that the only source of paint for anything after 2010 is HD themselves, having decided not release the formulas or specs. 

    Change your painter. It can be colour matched and he is correct about the formula not being freely available. There was a link some time ago on the forum regarding the formulas
  • RossW
    RossW
    4 years ago
    Quoting paulybronco on 15 Apr 2020 11:54 AM

    Try this mob

    Hmm, tried them. The link for Twisted Cherry goes back to the search page. If I had Vivid Black or Barracuda silver, it leads to a page with different products to select. I've also read some disappointing reviews.
    Looks like a new lid from Frasers is the simple way out, since they have one in stock. Just waiting now for them to return my call.

    Interesting that the HD parts catalogue lists the lid with two different codes: unpainted (factory spec) or painted, but when you look a the code, the only available colour is Black denim (BYM), which is basically the same matte black as the unpainted one. 
  • RossW
    RossW
    4 years ago
    So after some time spent filling, sanding, priming and sanding again, I've got it like this (LHS one shown for comparison)

    Using the bumper black as shown in the photo, I've ended up with a fine textured finish rather like the one on the inner bags. It's going to get another coat yet so it will be a bit more even)
    I'm in two minds about that. The advantage is that it's a bit more durable than plastidip, but the odd bump and scrape can be fixed just by spraying over it, where they would stand out on the smooth plastic finish. It looks like it belongs too, so I'll probably do the other one the same. If I  decide to colour match them later, well I can sand it all back and start again.

    Just on the colour matching, ColorRite are the only organisation I have found that will match late model HD paint and they don't ship outside the USA. I tried my HD dealer and even they can't get factory paint. Better not scratch the rest of it.
  • steelo
    steelo
    4 years ago
    Nice job Ross. Look forward to seeing it completed and back on the bike. Well done for trying it yourself.
  • gidgi
    gidgi
    4 years ago
    Quoting RossW on 17 Jun 2020 04:33 AM

    So after some time spent filling, sanding, priming and sanding again, I've got it like this (LHS one shown for comparison)

    Using the bumper black as shown in the photo, I've ended up with a fine textured finish rather like the one on the inner bags. It's going to get another coat yet so it will be a bit more even)

    I'm in two minds about that. The advantage is that it's a bit more durable than plastidip, but the odd bump and scrape can be fixed just by spraying over it, where they would stand out on the smooth plastic finish. It looks like it belongs too, so I'll probably do the other one the same. If I  decide to colour match them later, well I can sand it all back and start again.

    Just on the colour matching, ColorRite are the only organisation I have found that will match late model HD paint and they don't ship outside the USA. I tried my HD dealer and even they can't get factory paint. Better not scratch the rest of it.

    think your on a winner there 
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