Sun Glare ....

[Bagger]

Hey, I noticed something when I was out riding this weekend.

The fuel filler door and the surrounding cover are CHROME PLASTIC.  The plastic part is undertandable from a cost / weight respect, but the sun glare on this was unbelievable.

The sun musta been in the perfect place to reflect into my helmet.  Crikey!  I could hardly see.  Finally put my hand over the door to cover it up until I made a course adjustment.

Here's the deal .... are all Valkyrie fuel fill doors / covers chrome?  I tho't one was black?  If so, wondinering if I could swap one out, or buy a replacement.  ??

Anyone else with this issue?

[hubcapsc]

I haven't had trouble with it yet, but I haven't ridden mine much yet,
and I still don't have a windshield. I covered the chrome on my real
Valkyrie's gas tank, since it reflected so badly in the windshield.

I looked on the fiche... the escutcheon and the little door can
be had in black for under $200, if I remember correctly...

-Mike

[Bagger]

Thanx, Mike .... good to know.  I tho't one of the Valkyries came with a black fuel filler deal.  $200 is an expected amount IMO.

BTW, this reflection was not in the windscreen, it was directly off the filler door, thru my smoked visor and into my eyes.  I took off my clear glasses and put on my sun shades.  That worked to a degree.  But, a black door and cover would eliminate that for sure.

[R J]

I have a tank bib with a built in cover for the gas tank lid and surrounding area.

Keeps the sun out of my eyes and off the windshield.

I don't even remember who made it.   It was a VRCC member if my memory serves me correctly.

[hubcapsc]

I have a tank bib with a built in cover for the gas tank lid and surrounding area.

Keeps the sun out of my eyes and off the windshield.

I don't even remember who made it.   It was a VRCC member if my memory serves me correctly.

A tank bib would probably look pretty weird on this ersatz new Valkyrie...

-Mike "I have a tank bib on my real Valkyrie"

[Dave Ritsema]

I would just wait until the end of the riding season or a time you don't mind letting it sit a week or so, and pull it off and have it powder coated black. EZ Peazy and shouldn't cost more than $50 bucks max.

[Bagger]

I would just wait until the end of the riding season or a time you don't mind letting it sit a week or so, and pull it off and have it powder coated black. EZ Peazy and shouldn't cost more than $50 bucks max.

I'm not all that savvy regarding PCing.  I did have 2 sets of wheels PC'd for my Wing.  Came out fantastic and reduced cleaning of the raw aluminum to pretty much zero.

But, this stuff is chromed plastic.  Can you PC this stuff?  Or, do you have to strip it?

I'm sure a PC'r can do the job in a week.  I still have the '01 Wing and the '13 SG that I can ride, too.  Never know when you need more than one bike, eh?   

[Ed Norton]

I used RustOleum Flat Black General Purpose Spray Paint for plastic on my lower cowl $3.87 @ HD.
You can't PC plastic,I don't have a glare.

[Bagger]

I used RustOleum Flat Black General Purpose Spray Paint for plastic on my lower cowl $3.87 @ HD.
You can't PC plastic,I don't have a glare.

Ed ... I remember you saying you used an old cowl to fit the round fog light kit.  Was the old cowl chrome plastic?  Or, was it the gray oem that Wings came with?

[Ed Norton]

It was the gray oem,I used scotch brite on it first 

[Bagger]

It was the gray oem,I used scotch brite on it first 

Yeah, I got one those gray cowls in the garage, too.  I'd think painting it would work, but the chrome plastic .... well, not so sure.  ??

[Ed Norton]

If it bugs you that much get the black oem $$
Put your windshield back and see if it helps 

[Bagger]

If it bugs you that much get the black oem $$
Put your windshield back and see if it helps 

I have no glare from the windshield, Ed ... it is directly from the chrome filler door to my eyes.  Sun >> chrome filler cap >> eyes.

Windscreen position is fine.

I may spring for the black replacement oem.  Dealer owes me some dough anyway .... 20% off at least. 

[Ed Norton]

I didn't read your first post   

[Bagger]

I didn't read your first post   

  Understood, Ed.  I do bloviate a bit.

[Bagger]

OK ... did a search for painting plastic chrome bits.  Several Youtube vids came up that were interesting.

But, found one with Dupli-Color paints that looked like it was worth doing.  Of course, there were differing instructions to paint metal, or plastic chrome.

Anyway .... tho't I'd try the Dupli-Color Wheel Paint in rattle cans.  Maybe use the satin black.  Not sure if I need to use the 'clear' over this as it will add gloss.  But, wonder if I don't use the clear ... will there be less durability.

Also, guess I need to scuff the surface of the plastic bits of the fuel filler module.  Not sure which Scotch pad color to use?  Guess it would be one will little abrasive quality.  Have to check which to use.

Any opinions ... ??   

[imrubicon]

My red one is chrome and I too have been hit by the glare from tank.
Normally I can lean a bit to avoid as I have not done long straight shots as mostly in town.
So only an issue until I turn.

[Dave Ritsema]

I used RustOleum Flat Black General Purpose Spray Paint for plastic on my lower cowl $3.87 @ HD.
You can't PC plastic,I don't have a glare.

Actually you can PC plastic these days. 

http://www.wrightcoating.com/specialty-coatings/plastics/powder-coating

[Bagger]

I used RustOleum Flat Black General Purpose Spray Paint for plastic on my lower cowl $3.87 @ HD.
You can't PC plastic,I don't have a glare.

Actually you can PC plastic these days. 

http://www.wrightcoating.com/specialty-coatings/plastics/powder-coating

My concern would be the high temps needed to bake the parts.  450* or more may warp the plastic bits, which are pretty thin.  I'll ask the folks that did the PC on my Wing wheels ... see what they say.

[Dave Ritsema]

I used RustOleum Flat Black General Purpose Spray Paint for plastic on my lower cowl $3.87 @ HD.
You can't PC plastic,I don't have a glare.

Actually you can PC plastic these days. 

http://www.wrightcoating.com/specialty-coatings/plastics/powder-coating

My concern would be the high temps needed to bake the parts.  450* or more may warp the plastic bits, which are pretty thin.  I'll ask the folks that did the PC on my Wing wheels ... see what they say.

They are doing some pretty incredible things with paints these days. I bet if you scuff up your chrome one good and paint it with that specialized plastic paint you should  be fine.

[Bagger]

That's kinda what I'm thinking, Dave.

And, if I screw it up .... for 200 clam$ I can buy a black oem deal from Honda.   

[f6gal]

The blue one comes with black gas cover.  Red and black models come with chromed gas cover.

[Bagger]

The blue one comes with black gas cover.  Red and black models come with chromed gas cover.

I remember seeing that in the Honda vids.  Found the whole deal 'odd'.  The lower legs are black on the blue one and valve covers, too.  But, aluminium on the black?  And, what's up with the aluminium levers?  Black ... BLACK ... I say!

I'll try the scuff and rattle can and if that doesn't work, I'll buy an oem black unit.   

[Ed Norton]

 blue one with black gas cover 

[Bagger]

I actually like all the black stuff on the BLUE Valk .... I don't understand why they have different colored stuff on the Red / Black ones.  Makes no sense to me.   ???

I think the black bike all blacked out (including the mufflas ...) would look very cool and sinister.
   

[f6gal]

I actually like all the black stuff on the BLUE Valk .... I don't understand why they have different colored stuff on the Red / Black ones.  Makes no sense to me.   ???

I think the black bike all blacked out (including the mufflas ...) would look very cool and sinister.

Russellville Honda did that; they had it on eBay.

[Bagger]

Now, that's what I'm talkin' about ... !!   

No sun glare there, eh.  All satin black.  Wow !!

They did leave the stupid aluminum levers untouched.  Bummer.

I may have the stock mufflas PCd in the winter. 

[Bagger]

Spoke with 2 PC'rs ... both said plastic chrome can't be PD'd.  No electrostatic connection.  And, at 400* (F) in the oven, the pieces would warp/melt.  Suggested painting.

Also, asked about the mufflers.  One said that he had some black semi-gloss that the HD guys like and could do.  The other said ceramic coating semi-flat, but that anything that gets on the surface will stain and not clean off.  ??

Back to rattle canning the fuel cover.  And, back burnering the mufflers.

[f6gal]

Now, that's what I'm talkin' about ... !!  

No sun glare there, eh.  All satin black.  Wow !!

They did leave the stupid aluminum levers untouched.  Bummer.

I may have the stock mufflas PCd in the winter.  

I'm surprised they left the levers, they are easily replaced or powder coated.

My hubby (Psycho) and I are going totally different directions.  He got the blue one and is going to black out everything.  I got the red one and I'm going to chrome out everything!! 

So far I haven't had any issues w/ sun glare... maybe my lower vertical displacement has one advantage. 

[xman]

I used RustOleum Flat Black General Purpose Spray Paint for plastic on my lower cowl $3.87 @ HD.
You can't PC plastic,I don't have a glare.

Something I just learned about this, from a guy I know that owns a powder coating shop. He gave me a tour, explaining and showing me the process. Quite simple, spray and bake. The painting is electro static where the piece is charged and the powder is attracted to it like a magnet. There can be issues with any dust. He did mention there is a process to do non metallic pieces, but he hasn't done it yet.

[Bagger]

Fiddled 'round a bit and found something I was looking at to 'detail' a gun I own.

Water immersion printing .... aka: Hydrographics.  Do a search and see what can be done.  Pretty neat stuff.  There are many Youtube vids to look at regarding guns, auto parts and such.  I'm surprised I didn't think about it initially!?

Anyway ... I can purchase (if available) a new fuel lid and housing, along with a headlight cover for around $200 in graphite black. 

Then take the parts to a hydrographics shop and have them 'dipped' !  Even tho the parts are graphite black, I think I'll choose a different film.  Skulls come to mind .... yesssss .... skulls.   

[Bagger]

Check it out !!   

Water Transfer Printing | Phone Cases - Black Skulls (HGA-C445) | HG Arts

[Rams]

I would just wait until the end of the riding season or a time you don't mind letting it sit a week or so, and pull it off and have it powder coated black. EZ Peazy and shouldn't cost more than $50 bucks max.

Before I did that, I visit my local auto parts or general/hardware store and get some "Plastic Dip" in a rattle can.    If you don't like it, just peel it off.   Comes in different colors also.