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Scratch repair gone bad.....help!

11K views 30 replies 11 participants last post by  Grand Duc  
#1 ·
:banghead: Hi guys.

I had my bike in for the 600mile service and asked the guys to POLISH some minor scratches out for me on the side fairing....and it went seriously BAD!
Image


Firstly they used the wrong color touch-up paint to cover the scratches, then it looks like they used a type of rubbing compound on it to flatten the touch up paint. Now I have alot of dull spots on the side. They took the gloss off the paint!:mad:

To say I am totally F$#@-off, is an understatement!:wtf:

Any solutions that you can suggest that I do to fix this? I tried to polish it back up to get the gloss back, but to no avail.
:lightning
 
#3 ·
Unbelievable...sorry to hear.....

I always make sure to ask how good someone is at bodywork before telling them to do anything. My shop sends bikes out to local experts because they don't handle cosmetics like that.

First, take pics and bring it right back and go over it with the owner to determine your recourse. Talk about the stalling as a separate issue once you have an outcome on the paint. I would require that they send it out to a professional painter/reconditioner/detail shop that specifically handles paint and your situation. You don't have the tools, let the experts handle it but also make the people accountable take care of you.

Then make sure the stalling issue gets taken care of while it's there!

DukeQ said:
:banghead: Hi guys.

I had my bike in for the 600mile service and asked the guys to POLISH some minor scratches out for me on the side fairing....and it went seriously BAD!
Image


Firstly they used the wrong color touch-up paint to cover the scratches, then it looks like they used a type of rubbing compound on it to flatten the touch up paint. Now I have alot of dull spots on the side. They took the gloss off the paint!:mad:

To say I am totally F$#@-off, is an understatement!:wtf:

Any solutions that you can suggest that I do to fix this? I tried to polish it back up to get the gloss back, but to no avail.
:lightning
 
#4 ·
ND...trust me I am at the dealer first thing in the morning!

but as said before..experts in anything here is hard to come by, I might get it back worse, or even in the wrong red... I am trying to rather find a way that I can fix it myself, somehow, before handing the bike back to those idiots

It was a simple request...."POLISH it and see if you can make it look better, if it doesnt polish out, then leave it as is"..no expert needed, just some special polish that I know they use here to detail the bikes....and it all went horribly wrong, because some guy though he was being clever....
 
#7 ·
Don't do anything! The only thing I would do is call them and leave a message if you don't get them live...and take some close-ups. For everyone's sake, namely yours, you should bring it back to them exactly as they gave it to you. In fact, I'm not trying to nit-pick you and make you feel worse, but you should have looked closer before leaving. That'll just teach you for next time...and trust me I've done it myself and I know how bad it sucks!

Just get back there, good luck!

DukeQ said:
ND...trust me I am at the dealer first thing in the morning!

but as said before..experts in anything here is hard to come by, I might get it back worse, or even in the wrong red... I am trying to rather find a way that I can fix it myself, somehow, before handing the bike back to those idiots

It was a simple request...."POLISH it and see if you can make it look better, if it doesnt polish out, then leave it as is"..no expert needed, just some special polish that I know they use here to detail the bikes....and it all went horribly wrong, because some guy though he was being clever....
 
#8 ·
Try to bring up the gloss with some compound by Meguir's (sic) called "Diamond Cut". If that doesn't bring it back then you're going to have to repaint the panel. Or if you have an airbrush and can use it get some PPG Concept in a color called "Torrid Red". Wet sand the bad spots and a little beyond them with some 2000 grit wet paper. Then take the brush and using just enough flow to cover touch up the spots but don't go beyond the area you've sanded. Also do NOT mask them off. Let the overspray fall where it may. It'll sand out and create a smoother blend line when you color sand and buff the new paint. I have repaired several goobers in the red and white areas of my Tri this way and had very good success.
 
#9 ·
ND...I am not big a dumbass to not look at it before they gave it back after the service! It looked like it still had a bit of polish on, that wasnt wiped off cleanly, thinking I cud get it back home and just wipe the polish off and the shine will be back.

Couldnt get the shine back, then looked at it closer and found the damage was permanent.

Cloudrider...could the dull spots be,because they also sanded the area down before putting the touch-up paint on?. It was similiar size marks as roadrash from sand/stone chips
 
#10 ·
I know you're frustrated and I know you're not a dumbass...just be careful with your baby. :(

These guys have good suggestions if you run into trouble...but I firmly believe you need to force this issue on them and you could be at a disadvantage if you change anything by trying to make it better.

Just be careful and try not to make a shitty situation worse is all I'm saying.....

DukeQ said:
ND...I am not big a dumbass to not look at it before they gave it back after the service! It looked like it still had a bit of polish on, that wasnt wiped off cleanly, thinking I cud get it back home and just wipe the polish off and the shine will be back.

Couldnt get the shine back, then looked at it closer and found the damage was permanent.

Cloudrider...could the dull spots be,because they also sanded the area down before putting the touch-up paint on?. It was similiar size marks as roadrash from sand/stone chips
 
#11 ·
Yeah it sounds like you've got sanding scratches from someone having used too coarse a grit paper. Trouble with that is they maybe too deep to color sand/polish out.

I'm with Newduc. Take it back to the dealer, show him the f ups and then tell him to have it repaired by a qualified body shop. You can just take them panel from what I've read here. God I absolutely hate incompetent assholes f ing up a nice bike.
 
#12 ·
ND..I only tried to polish it out tonight, that didnt work, thats all I am doing until I show them tomorrow and force them to fix it....but again there is only so much I can force...if they refuse to repair it, I have no choice but to find a way to do it myself. thats why I am asking for suggestions.

I have sold cars for alot less damage. I am sort of a perfectionist when it comes to my "toys", and I know that if this damage cant be repaired, I will have to repaint it.

But I know that the "experts" here will not be able to match the color, so it will mean that I either have to repaint the whole bike to get the same colorscheme, or if all else fails go with my original plan and change the whole bike to carbon.
 
#13 ·
DukeQ said:
But I know that the "experts" here will not be able to match the color, so it will mean that I either have to repaint the whole bike to get the same colorscheme, or if all else fails go with my original plan and change the whole bike to carbon.
Or just buy a new, painted panel...
 
#15 ·
You can repaint your panel. Like I said PPG's "Concept" in "Torrid Red" is as good a match as you'll ever see. I've done several pieces on my Tri , and I'm telling you you'd never know. It's a single stage urethane and easy to use and rubs out sweet. Send me the friggin' panel and I'll paint it for you if it comes to that.
 
#16 ·
The red on the bike is not a difficult color to match, any competent bodyshop should be able to match that, if they have their own mixing system anyways like we do so they can tint if need be.

The scratches are going to need a machine buffer to get out, rubbing by hand will not do it on anything deeper than fine wash scratches. You'd be surprised what will buff out, I prefer 3M Perfect It II cutting compound on a white foam 3M waffle pad first followed up by Perfect it III foam polishing pad glaze on a black 3M foam waffle pad to get the swirl marks out. The other thing is if they put touch up paint on it already there will be no making it perfect without repainting it. Touch up paint has its uses but when I get people in my shop that smear it all over everything trying to make some scratches look better that would've buffed out to start with... makes me wish they didnt have any.

I dont know about everyone elses bike but the paint on my bike is surprisingly soft and easy to buff, also very easy to scuff/scratch. I brushed a piece of lint off my front fairing the other day with finger and scratched it :confused: I am actually considering wet-sanding a re-clearing all my bodywork just so it's not so soft as we have a bake booth and baked on finish is nice and hard.

Hope the dealer does something for you to straighten it out proper-like!
 
#17 ·
Update

Things has gone from bad to worse!:bandit:

Decided to take my baby in to check what can be done about the paint problem, and then have them send it back to service to look at the new severe stalling problem.(6 times in 13 km)

I pulled out at my house took the first t-junction corner (90 degr), ....and the bike stalled on me with the wheel fully turned (not locked). We came down hard!
Image


Result:
Damaged mirror
Broken front break lever.
Bent rear brake lever,
Scuffed off fork point
Chipped rim (front)
Scratched off bar weight.
Dented clutch cover
Badly scratched tail section.
Side panel fairing now looks like a cat played "sharpen my nails" on it.

The bike is now back at the dealer, and I am now no more forcing repairs, but demanding that the bike is repaired fully at their / Ducati cost, as the bike has become unsafe to ride, due to the severety of stalling!

I'll download the pics of the new and old damage tonight.

ITS PAINFULL!

Luckily, I had my leathers on and walk away with only a sprained ankle, and a broken heart


:shitfan:
 
#18 ·
I would have the dealer pay for it, their #uck up. Have your insurance company fight it out with them if they give you a hard time.

What a week you have had, cripes!

Jason
 
#20 ·
You know this stalling issue is downright dangerous, and I am surprised that someone hasn't sued Ducati over it by now. Maybe it's my age and awareness of my frailty but I am not 100% comfortable and confident when I ride my Tri. What if it should stall while going around a bend at speed? You know damn well what's going to happen and it ain't gonna be pretty. I am almost tempted not to ride it until Ducati clears this issue up for once and for all.
 
#21 · (Edited)
That's some bad luck man, it just goes from bad to worse it seems!!

On the subject of everybody worried about the back wheel locking up at speed... the back wheel will not lock at speed in the event of a stall because the revs will be up high. The whole reason the tire locks up in the first place is because of the low speed of the bike coupled with an engine on the verge of "chugging" in first gear as you start out or go around a 90deg corner, usually while somewhat slipping the clutch because you're going so slow. The engine quits and there is not enough inertia because of how light the bike is and how slow it is going to keep those huge pistons moving up and down in first gear... resulting in the rear tire rotation stopping as well as a result of it. When you "bump" start a bike what gear do you do it in? Usually 2nd or 3rd because if you try it in first, the back wheel will likely skid because the engine has more leverage than the rear tire while in first gear... same principle

The locking of the back wheel is not a Ducati specific phenomenon, it follows closely with high performance twins. It first happened to me while riding a friends TL1000S the first year they came out. Taking off from a stop sign turning right, I let the revs get a little too low (unfamiliar bike) and as I gave it a little throttle to power through the corner it quit with a subsequent locking of the rear tire. The back tire kicked out and stopped 90deg sideways in the middle of the road almost throwing me off, luckily I kept it upright and learned my lesson. Happened to another friend a couple times on his first bike, an RC51.

Hope they get your problems figured out and get this nightmare resolved for you man, I feel for you!!
 
#22 ·
A blessing and a curse. That really sucks...I feel terrible just hearing about it.

Thankfully you're okay, first priority. And now you can get on with the business of making your bike 100% like it should have been when you originally picked it up! Since you can't ride now, spend the time you would have been riding, hounding them and hammering away to make them pay for everything and then some...do not give this one up and think for one second that you have any accountability.

Almost sounds like some of the luck I have had and I feel your pain my man. There is not much else to say other than good luck and keep us posted.

P.S. Not a bad idea to take the money and do the CF! :p

DukeQ said:
Things has gone from bad to worse!:bandit:

Decided to take my baby in to check what can be done about the paint problem, and then have them send it back to service to look at the new severe stalling problem.(6 times in 13 km)

I pulled out at my house took the first t-junction corner (90 degr), ....and the bike stalled on me with the wheel fully turned (not locked). We came down hard!
Image


Result:
Damaged mirror
Broken front break lever.
Bent rear brake lever,
Scuffed off fork point
Chipped rim (front)
Scratched off bar weight.
Dented clutch cover
Badly scratched tail section.
Side panel fairing now looks like a cat played "sharpen my nails" on it.

The bike is now back at the dealer, and I am now no more forcing repairs, but demanding that the bike is repaired fully at their / Ducati cost, as the bike has become unsafe to ride, due to the severety of stalling!

I'll download the pics of the new and old damage tonight.

ITS PAINFULL!

Luckily, I had my leathers on and walk away with only a sprained ankle, and a broken heart


:shitfan:
 
#23 ·
Update 2

Good news for a change:)

My bike is in for repairs and the dealer is fixing EVERYTHING on their cost. Replacement of all broken or dented parts, replace tail, and repainted fairing panel.

The tail replacement and fairing repaint will however be delayed until after our Monday&Tuesday track training sessions, because the paint wont dry in time.

We have guys from Italy MotoGP giving us track training for 2 days, Mon/Tues complete with pit crew and pro mechanics that will be setting our bikes up for us!

And as a bonus Casy Stoner and Capriossi will be here on the same 2 days, testing the track at night for the first ever night race motogp. As rumour goes they will be testing the 1098R and their bikes on the track here.

There will be a slight chance to join them on the track as well, as we are quite a big group of Ducati riders here on those days.

Is worth the wait for for the respray...oooohhhh yyyyeeess...
Image
a once in a lifetime chance to ride with these and get expert training...the paint cant wait 2 days!
 
#24 ·
Congrats on getting this issue resolved!

DukeQ said:
Good news for a change:)

My bike is in for repairs and the dealer is fixing EVERYTHING on their cost. Replacement of all broken or dented parts, replace tail, and repainted fairing panel.

The tail replacement and fairing repaint will however be delayed until after our Monday&Tuesday track training sessions, because the paint wont dry in time.

We have guys from Italy MotoGP giving us track training for 2 days, Mon/Tues complete with pit crew and pro mechanics that will be setting our bikes up for us!

And as a bonus Casy Stoner and Capriossi will be here on the same 2 days, testing the track at night for the first ever night race motogp. As rumour goes they will be testing the 1098R and their bikes on the track here.

There will be a slight chance to join them on the track as well, as we are quite a big group of Ducati riders here on those days.

Is worth the wait for for the respray...oooohhhh yyyyeeess...
Image
a once in a lifetime chance to ride with these and get expert training...the paint cant wait 2 days!
 
#26 ·
Stalling update

ITTSSS BAAACKKKKK!!:mad: :( :wtf: WTF

I knew Ducs had the repetation of being full of shit sometimes, but this is getting rediculous!

As you all know, this has cost me some serious money in damages to my bike. Had the 3rd ECU installed, and no stall for 1000km, today I have my thumb on the starter button almost all the time. Stalled in a roundabout, while splitting traffic, coming hot upto a corner (just pulled the clutch in and hoped for the best) , and at 120km in 3rd gearing up.

ITS GETTING WORSE!!!!!

Bike is going in this week again! Hopefully the idiots here know how to fix the cams. This is the last resort, and if it doesnt fix it, or they F*** it up again, I am selling her.
Its in the service station more than at my house.

ITS NOW JUST BECOMING TOO DAMN DANGEROUS.

All the power and the next moment nothing!

Sorry for ranting, but I am fed-up!