Paint Concerns on new Goldwings, Valkyrie's and F6B's

[Dave Ritsema]

On other message boards there is considerable discussion about "soft paint" on thee new GL1800 line up. Apparently Honda changed their paint process and they are no longer clearcoated and tend to scratch easily. I know my black F6B seems to be much more micro-scratch prone than my Interstate was. Many are using Liquid Glass polish as a way to protect the finish. I have been using it for years on my trucks with good results. My f6B has about 6 coats on it now as well.

Just a little heads up for you as it is alot easier to get some good coats of protection on your bike BEFORE any scratches occur.

http://www.liquidglasspolish.com/products/


I just get it at my local autozone but I have seen it online for less.

[cutter]

I'll have to check that out. Been using alot of the honda polish. It does keep the bike cleaner longer.

[hubcapsc]

275 customer reviews on Amazon for Liquid Glass...

So many of them are "five star" that all five stars are colored in...

-Mike

[Warlock]

On other message boards there is considerable discussion about "soft paint" on thee new GL1800 line up. Apparently Honda changed their paint process and they are no longer clearcoated and tend to scratch easily. I know my black F6B seems to be much more micro-scratch prone than my Interstate was. Many are using Liquid Glass polish as a way to protect the finish. I have been using it for years on my trucks with good results. My f6B has about 6 coats on it now as well.

Just a little heads up for you as it is alot easier to get some good coats of protection on your bike BEFORE any scratches occur.

http://www.liquidglasspolish.com/products/


I just get it at my local autozone but I have seen it online for less.

Look like some good stuff. Will get me some and load the Goldwing down with it.
David

[steve 3054]

LG..is a great product…price it at your local parts house and then buy it online @ EBay!!!

[F6Dave]

I stopped by a dealer yesterday to talk about F6B/GW/New Valk paint.  The salesman said he hadn't heard of any problems.  I have to wonder if he was just being a salesman, but he said I could ask the service department if they'd had any complaints.

One service guy I talked with readily admitted 'F6B paint is crap'.  He said they had a new black model with some scuff marks on the bags (from transit) that they were unable to buff out.  They ended up having the bags repainted.  He suggested the usual:  treat the bike with the best paint protectant you can buy as soon as you take delivery.

He also suggested having clear bra material applied to all areas subject to wear, like the bag tops, fairing, and especially the 'tank' sides where your legs make contact.  It sounds like a good idea.  I know there are companies making software templates to laser-cut clear bra material for many brands/models of motorcycles.

This same guy said paint on the new Valkyrie seemed to be improved over the F6B.  Maybe Honda is addressing the problem.  You'd think they would notice when dealers have to repaint parts.  I've also read on other boards that they get many warranty claims related to the paint.

[Dave Ritsema]

That salesman that hadn't heard of any problems was either a big BS'er or completely out of touch. Any dealer that sells any amount of Wings or F6B's is well aware of the problem. I have seen a black new Valkyrie owner and he has the exact same issues. Hopefully at some point Honda will change their paint process to at least be as good as the rest of the industry, there is a reason they put clear coat on a proper paint job. Sheesh!

When I get to the point I can't stand looking at it anymore in a few years I will just pull the panels that winter and have them all painted with automotive quality paint. If that's the biggest problem I have with this bike I am good with it.

[F6Dave]

Dave, I agree, the salesman probably didn't want any potential customers to hear him bad mouth any Honda.  Like you I think the GL1800 line is so good overall that I'm willing to overlook the paint.  There really isn't anything that can compete, even the BMW K1600.  I rode one of those and was very impressed, but have heard too many stories about reliability and maintenance problems.  I want a bike that only needs tires, gas, and oil.

[shortleg]

      One of the best you can fond os a product by the name Zymol, it will take swirls
And all the fine scratches out with no problem.
     It is used in a lot of shops to do detail work.
   It is a little pricey, at about 12bucks a bottle but with it.
            shortleg(Dave)

[Jack B]

I just got my black F6B last Wedesday. I heard about the soft paint. I think mine looks great, I did put one coat of Liquld Glass. I think I got a good one.
I paid $35 for the L.G. At Auto Zone, online $20.

[VALKYRIE1800]

not sure on the f6b, but the valkyrie is a water based, base-coat/clear coat application. color rite has factory matched application, and it is base-clear waterbased. i ordered 2 quarts of each to paint my custom SUMAX hard bags.

[Bamaburt62]

I have a new black Valk and the paint absolutley sux.  It's 8 months old and has been waxed about a dozen times.  I used Turtle Wax "Jet Black" to fill in the thousands of micro scratches.  Its a system for black paint.  I love the bike. I've put custom cobra f6 b pipes on and an assortment of extras.  Going to try the product listed above because I have about a dozen different types of waxes and scratch remover products.  I've spent hundreds of dollars to no avail until the Jet Black.

[F6Dave]

I gave the F6B the first thorough wash and wax of the season today.  There's no question that the B's paint is softer and scratches more easily than my old Valkyrie's, or any other vehicle I've owned for that matter.  But I've been very careful, and after 7 1/2 months and over 11,000 miles it still looks like new, except for a few minor stone chips on the fairing.  I almost didn't buy this bike because of the paint, but now I have no regrets.



BTW, Klock Werks makes the best looking windshield on the market, and it works very well too.