Scratches on matte paint?

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May 10, 2020
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Lake Worth, FL.
I have a scratch on my matte grey tank that kinda bugs me. Its not the only scratch on my bike but this one just annoys me for reasons I can't explain. Any idea how to get rid of/minimize it? I'm assuming I cant just polish it like I would a glossy finish paint.
 

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MFP

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I have a scratch on my matte grey tank that kinda bugs me. Its not the only scratch on my bike but this one just annoys me for reasons I can't explain. Any idea how to get rid of/minimize it? I'm assuming I cant just polish it like I would a glossy finish paint.
At first this is going to sound totally 100% bonkers but hear me out as it does usually work.
A car-detailing trick from back in the day to de-emphasize a very small, light surface scratch without using touch-up paint:
Take your index finger and draw it across your forehead from one side to the other while applying a bit of pressure.
Then take that finger and go over the scratch and the inherent oils from your forehead skin will fill in the scratch and darken it.
Any excess oil outside of the scratch (your matte finish color will highlight the excess oil outside of the scratch)
can be wiped away with either a dry Q-tip or cotton cloth.
This trick works best on medium to dark colors and will last for quite a bit.
Give it a shot.... :cool:
 

bimota

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Last edited:

StefanOnHisS10

Converting fuel into heat, noise and a bit motion
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First you need to determine how deep the scratch is. I think it is through the color layer since it seems to be showing the basecoat. If it is through the color layer you can touch it up with a small pencil and paint bought at a local paintshop/specialist. Make sure it does not become a higher surface. Just fill the crack. Don’t cover it with a clearcoat, then it will finish more Matt. If it is an original Yamaha color, they probably sell touch up kits. Then just follow those instructions.

For prevention I suggest pads, your clothing is rubbing those parts a lot.

good luck,
Stefan
 
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Thanks for the suggestions guys! I'm going to try the forehead oil thing (I'm skeptical, but also very curious) then the pencil idea and if that doesn't work then I'll get a set of tank pads - they make a lot of sense but I've never been a fan, I prefer the look of the bike without them.
 
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ballisticexchris

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I got the pads for function rather than looks. When seated and standing I can lock my knees into them to help control the bike. It's kind of odd at first but the engineers of Super Tenere made that area a balance and control point on the bike for almost all riding conditions. Of course if you are in some hard core off road (which it is not designed for) then you will be all over the bike to keep it balanced.
 

StefanOnHisS10

Converting fuel into heat, noise and a bit motion
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I've fixed a lot of surface scratches with this stuff.

View attachment 78104
Those kind of products are all meant to be used on paint where only the topcoat/clearcoat is scratched. When there is no color left, there is nothing to polish.

Be aware, matte finishes need an other approach. It is nothing like a glossy paint.
In the owners manual is a chapter about it.

Stefan.
 

Squibb

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Temporary fix is something like an eyebrow pencil - raid your partners make-up drawer.

Sorry but there isn't a cheap permanent fix. Touch-up paint will always show & be just as annoying in my book. Tank pads, as others have suggested, is probably the best low cost solution if you really can't live with it.

I've been there. A stone must have flicked up & sat for a while between my left knee & the tank on my wife's bike. It left a nasty jagged scratch, which she noticed instantly .... as you do. Being gloss black, we used heel ball, which made it disappear for a while.
 

Johnwesley

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Aug 2, 2020
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Mena, Ar
I have a scratch on my matte grey tank that kinda bugs me. Its not the only scratch on my bike but this one just annoys me for reasons I can't explain. Any idea how to get rid of/minimize it? I'm assuming I cant just polish it like I would a glossy finish paint.
that’s one issue with flat paint. You can’t buff it out, even sanding it out with not work, cause it will be a different look though still flat. Touch up paint could help depending on how picky you are, but you can’t blend it so it will be noticed. Talking with my dealer on a flat black bike I asked the same question. He said noting you can do just part of the aging process of flat pants. Cheapest is to cover it, best look is to repaint the tanks. I would just put a bandaid decal on it and call it good...that’s not true, I wouldn’t worry about it, but seeing how you posted it it does. Wish I could be more help. The scratch remover may work, but you will have a more glossy spot in that area. No way to tell how much unless you try it.
i typed a lot to say nothing :D
 
Joined
May 10, 2020
Messages
78
Location
Lake Worth, FL.
At first this is going to sound totally 100% bonkers but hear me out as it does usually work.
A car-detailing trick from back in the day to de-emphasize a very small, light surface scratch without using touch-up paint:
Take your index finger and draw it across your forehead from one side to the other while applying a bit of pressure.
Then take that finger and go over the scratch and the inherent oils from your forehead skin will fill in the scratch and darken it.
Any excess oil outside of the scratch (your matte finish color will highlight the excess oil outside of the scratch)
can be wiped away with either a dry Q-tip or cotton cloth.
This trick works best on medium to dark colors and will last for quite a bit.
Give it a shot.... :cool:
Holy $#!T it worked!!! Its not perfect but its better. I'm sorry I doubted you!
I might still get myself some tank pads in the end though, stop the situation from getting any worse.

Thanks for all the replies guys!
 
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ballisticexchris

Guest
What started to scratch my tank was the Yamaha factory tank bag. I ended up removing it when I realized it was nothing but a catch all for junk and effected the handling of the bike.
 

shift_enter

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Mar 23, 2019
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Metro Detroit, MI
I have a matte grey tank too, I put a few coats of carnauba wax on it last year after dealing with some scratches and eanting and easy to maintain tank. I can hardly tell the difference and I know my tank paint is a little protected. I applied and “buffed” the wax off by hand.
 

pilleway

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May 18, 2019
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Mexico
I just got a tank pads from AliExpress, for some reason I can not show them! but they have the Tener name on them and I have installed them in my bike recently, and very less expensive. (by the way I have had problems seen pictures in the forum lately!, neither as attached file!)
Regards
 
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