To Paint or Not to Paint?
#12
Mine was replaced by the dealer under warranty. When the stock black one came in, I picked it up and took it to my local paint shop and had it painted-didn't have to pay any labor, warranty picked it up.
Local shop couldn't match the pearl exactly, but it's close. No one notices unless I point it out. Difference was $150 versus $435 for the Harley prepainted one. For $300 savings I'm VERY happy with it.
Local shop couldn't match the pearl exactly, but it's close. No one notices unless I point it out. Difference was $150 versus $435 for the Harley prepainted one. For $300 savings I'm VERY happy with it.
#13
#14
#16
PROS for HD: Guaranteed color match.
CONS for HD: (1) Idiot light bezel isn't painted (not even on the $35K CVO bikes) so you live with black plastic or buy chrome cover; (2) no color-matched mirrors (not relevant if you don't have them or plant to have them); (3) no color-match for Hog Tunes tweeter pod (relevant only if you have one now or in future); and, costs more (probably).
HD's painted inner fairing will cost about $450 (from a discount dealer like Zanotti's) and selling the take-off for $125 or so reduces the net cost for comparison purposes to a painted inner by a local shop. Color-match by local shop may or may not be an issue. Many HD paints are available in PPG equivalents so results should be satisfactory.
I have painted fairing mounted mirrors and HT tweeter pod, and the aforementioned idiot light bezel that were done as a bike repaint project.
CONS for HD: (1) Idiot light bezel isn't painted (not even on the $35K CVO bikes) so you live with black plastic or buy chrome cover; (2) no color-matched mirrors (not relevant if you don't have them or plant to have them); (3) no color-match for Hog Tunes tweeter pod (relevant only if you have one now or in future); and, costs more (probably).
HD's painted inner fairing will cost about $450 (from a discount dealer like Zanotti's) and selling the take-off for $125 or so reduces the net cost for comparison purposes to a painted inner by a local shop. Color-match by local shop may or may not be an issue. Many HD paints are available in PPG equivalents so results should be satisfactory.
I have painted fairing mounted mirrors and HT tweeter pod, and the aforementioned idiot light bezel that were done as a bike repaint project.
#17
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: the frozen tundra of the "Windy City"
Posts: 1,517
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not sure about the cons or pros, all I can tell you is that I had the dealership remove my inner fairing and had their painter paint it to match and it turned out perfect! My bike is Crimson red sunglow, I have no doubts on the match of the paint, I just think that HD thinks they have it locked up in this business, and that a whole lot of money!
#18
Well crap, this forum does it again. I've been on the fence about painting my inner fairing, trying to convince myself that I really don't need to go to the trouble... and now after seeing this newest set of pictures (in above posts), I don't have a choice anymore. Looks great.
Oh, well, now to convince the boss... How many flowers and how much massage time do you guys think equals a color matched inner fairing? Dozen roses and 1 hour? Probably not...
Oh, well, now to convince the boss... How many flowers and how much massage time do you guys think equals a color matched inner fairing? Dozen roses and 1 hour? Probably not...
#19
#20
1. If you're really **** about preciseness and have the $$ to burn; then go with HD's factory painted inner.
2. If you have a paint shop that you trust for color match and proper prep; then have it done there.
Tough decision. Many thanks to all who responded. This is a great forum for getting feedback!!