Hi there, my (white) Tenere tank has a small patch of lacquer missing, probably the result of a stone. The paint is not damaged. I am concerned that the patch will get larger. Does anybody have any thoughts on how to repair the damage? The bike is pretty immaculate and I want to try to get an 'invisible' repair....
Thanks for any suggestions,
Paul

NA

Hi Paul

It takes a LOT of care and patience, but a DIY repair with spray lacquer is possible.

You'll need to feather the edges of the dodgy area with P1500 wet and dry (wet) to achieve a feathered edge (only very light pressure or the lacquer may peel further). Mask up around the damaged area. Spray the area with very light coats of lacquer. (The edges that you have feathered might lift a little due to the new lacquer but will settle as it dries). Gently dry the area for a good 15 minutes with a hair dryer on a low heat. Flat down with the wet and dry, then repeat the process as many times as necessary until you have built up the required thickness. After the last dry-off, flat the whole area with again with 1500, leave it for a couple of days and then polish with a fine cutting polish. The hardest bit is dealing with the overspray; if you mask off too close to the area, then you'll get a lip building up, too far away and you'll get it where you don't want it.

TBH though, you�re probably better off saving your time and forking out the cash (it�s not hugely expensive) to get a mobile dent/scratch/scuff repairer locally to do it such a Chips-Away etc.

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Hi Pleiades, thanks for this, I have not had great results attempting similar in the past, so your chip repair suggestion is a great one, I hadn't thought of it, so thanks, I will be going that route.
Paul