This is a static archive scraped from the now-closed superduke.net forum. If this archive has helped you at all and you fancy buying me a pint to say thanks, you can do so at buymeacoffee.com.

can scratched tank be fixed?

Scribe78

Scribe78

2013-07-11 08:54:00 UTC

Just bought a 2010 Duke 690 in absolutely pristine condition, except for a long scratch on the right side of the tank where it scraped against something while being carelessly wheeled past by the previous owner. I bought this bike on eBay, and I'd assumed the panel could be easily replaced, as would have been the case on my SuperDuke. (I'd never examined a Duke III in person before, so I didn't know how the bodywork is segmented.) It was only after the sale was finalized that I looked at an online fiche and discovered that panel isn't part of the spoiler, it's actually part of the tank itself - which costs well over $1000. Ooops. I won't be replacing the tank!

The bike was just delivered last night. I immediately started trying to polish out the scratch with some stuff (Novus System) that has worked miracles for me on other bikes. But then I realised I was going to end up with a shiny patch in the middle of an otherwise satin finish panel. Not good, either. So now I'm stumped.

Has anyone had good results tending to scratches on KTM's satin finish plastic? If so, how'd you do it?

Thanks in advance for your input.

Jody

Jody

2013-07-11 17:44:00 UTC

My brother runs a paint shop and I've had his top painter and one of the reps for the paint companies look at my very badly scratched tank on my SD, neither of them seemed optimistic of being able to match the factory finish

Jody

Jody

2013-07-13 22:17:00 UTC

Not sure where on the tank you have the scratch but it hopfully it could be covered with the tank side grips. Brain fart with the common name for the tank pads, but racer guys use them for extra grip with thier knees. A well placed accent sticker might also work. I bought some outdated MX number plate back ground black material and placed it on my KTM Adventure gas tank lowers that was taking on some rock chips. It blends in so well it's hard to tell from the paint. Some tank graphics have vent holes so the cover can vent.

JohnJJr

JohnJJr

2013-07-14 07:30:00 UTC

Post missing.

Aphex

Aphex

2013-07-14 11:50:00 UTC

post a photo

if you can actually polish out the scratch you may consider polishing out everything else --- and it looks ok polished too