So yesterday I went out into my garage to install my Dakota Digital gauge I got for christmas on my Iron883. Install was easy as pie. Afterward I stood back to check out how sexy the bike was and god damn if I didn't notice some markings on my flat denim black tank. They were like finger smudges on both sides. I went to wipe them off and nothing, took a cleaner to it, nothing, broke out my prepall and it didn't budge. Somehow between last Saturday when I pulled it in and wiped it down and this Saturday something stained the paint. You could clearly see a small handprint stained on one side of the tank. My girlfriend swears she didn't touch it. The only other people here were the ****ing cleaning ladies which have been given strict orders to stay out of the garage. My girlfriend was not here when they were here so she called them up and of course they denied being out there. $%#&@!!!

So I'm fuming now, I pull the tank off and do some tests to see if anything we have in the house will have an effect similar to the stains, and nothing does. At this point I know it's going to need repainted so I run some tests. Cutting compound will not remove it. Scotch brite pads wont even cut it out. The only thing I can think of at this point would be bleach, which we happen to be out of at the moment, but I know the F'n cleaning bitches bring their own when they clean.

I am at a loss as to what happened and now I'm suspicious of everyone. Does anybody have an idea of what could have caused these stains???

Hers are some pictures of the stains (disregard the scratching, I did that)

 

Damn, that kinda sux.

I can't help you, though, no idea what it could be.

 

I can't tell **** from your pics. I do know that these flat colors are unrepairable as opposed to base/clear where all you gotta do is scuff 'n buff.

There is nothing you can do to fix whatever happened.

P.S. Do not 'clean' anything with a scotchbrite.

 

Are you sure they were finger prints? If you didn't notice them until after the gauge install, what's to say they didn't happen on your last ride? My experience with cleaning crews is that they only do the minimum expected! Why would they go into the garage if there is nothing to clean? And, if you don't trust them, why the hell do you let them in your house??

Devils advocate,
John

 

Doesn't matter what it is or was....once you took a scotchbrite pad to it you sorta put that last nail in its coffin.........UNLESS you were trying to find a excuse to have it painted, then you did a good job.

 

Wait a minute - you have "cleaning ladies?" If that's the case - I think you can afford a paint job for the scoot...

Hard to tell w/your pics, but agree on the fact that scotch brite isn't the route to go. Don't bother requesting warranty support now...

 

im surprised nobody mentioned lemon pledge yet.... to the OP, why dont you just finish scuffing it up and paint it with a rattle can for now

 

I don't understand I guess. This is of couse Black Denim, the MoCo intended on it to burnish with age and use, adding character and personality to the finish of the motorcycle. The integrity of the paint, however is not affected and the tank will still be protected with these age flaws unlike black primer which is porus and allows water to rust the tank over time. Looks like you getting some nice character on that thing. If you want a perfect bike, might consider a glossy paint job.

 

I don't see it being the cleaning ladies.

Have you done anything that involved brake fluid lately?

You just got thru doing a project, could it have been you that did this?

Not being a smartass, but something just ain't adding up.

 

Well, when you get it repainted... leave the badge off this time, thats what my plan is at least.