Anyone kno how to remove cement?

[THEStinger]

Caught cement spray/splatter because some dip SH!@ washed his truck shoot out across the roadway I was on. Its pitted the tripple trees and I have splatter and stains all over the powder coat, paint and clear coated apendages. Ive tried just about everyting I know of including white viniger, brillo pads with soap, scrub brushes...multitude of detergents and no luck. Im trying to get their insurance to pay up...but something tells me Im gonna get FUC&!%
Hell of a thing to spend 20k and 8 months later its ruined. Thanks for all the help if anyone has any.
-S

[Ironrdr]

Boy, oh boy. I feel for ya.

I really don't want to tell you you're up sh!ts creek, but unless it ain't dried, you pretty much are.

I've worked with concrete for a while, and unless we got it off of what we didn't want it on right away, we were pretty much screwed.

But, try taking a plastic spatula/taping knife/bondo spreader, get the crete as wet as it will get, and scrape it off. This may scratch, I have no idea, I've never done it. If the concrete is dried on, it's gonna leave a permanent mark. The lime in the 'crete eats into everything, sorry to say.

Besides acid, which would do a number in itself, I know no real way of getting dried 'crete off of a vehicle.

Call the company, both the concrete supplier and the contractor that was doing the work, and explain what happened. Maybe the right words will have them seeing where you stand, and what kink of situation they put you in. Who knows, they may have a miracle solution?

Good luck
-darrell

[thedog]

Man, a picture like that makes me queasy. I think Ironrdr is right. Acetic acid in the vinegar might eventually dissolve enough of it but vinegar is weak - eventually as in 'nice try but forget about it'. A stronger acid or scraping it .. man, I'm sick just thinking about it.

No offense but you need a lawyer to be talking to them; they ARE responsible, regardless of what they say. And their insurance company is paid to do what they're doing.

[route66paul]

do you have insurance for theft and vandalism? I would put your insurance company on it.

[Ironrdr]

Just so it's out there, we used muratic (sp) acid to clean up mortar, diluted about 10:1 with water being the 10. Concrete was always a bear to clean up, and we'd dilute as necessary, usually no more than 5:1. But never straight up acid.

Good luck, man. And as thedog brings up, they have insurance for a reason, and this is just the time for them to use it. Iff'n they don't want to walk the walk, talk to your insurance co., or even better, a good lawyer.

-darrell

[THEStinger]

Thanks everyone so far, The front fender was on it when it happend, I removed it to try and get better access to the front of the forks and such...Its all in the fins of the jugs, caked in the rear fender..oozing out the tail light assy, up under the seat, all over the forward controlls, primary cover (that is black powder coated), forks, sliders, dust covers, voltage regulator god the list goes on and on. They are sending out an apraiser for what ever its worth but I have a copy of a quote from my local stealer that clearly says beyond economical repair and came with a quote for a new 2007. I cant wait to spring that on them, but hey if that happens I get a 96" and start off at 0 miles again (sigh)
-S

Pre dammage picture

[Geezer-Glide]

The calcium in the cement has already done it's damage. Your parts are ruined. It's already eaten into the powder coat, pitted the aluminium. Perhaps you can remove the aluminum parts and polish them up on a buffer wheel. Beats replacement. The black powder coat on the engine can be resprayed with a high heat flat black, such as header paint in a rattle can, I'm afraid you won't be able to remove the stains from the powder coat in the frame downtubes.
I feel your pain.

[razorsedge]

My wife was driving along on the highway minding her own business, she slows down cause she hits a construction zone....the workers were using a concrete saw to cut up the highway and they use water to keep the blade cool I guess.....yep you guessed it...the run off is all over the highway and my wife is forced to drive thru it in her brand new Silverado pickup. She didn't think much about it at first until it came time to wash the truck about 3 days later. That crap was dried on big time! She was PISSED. We called and complained to the proper state dept and they tell us that the workers are independent contractors...blah, blah blah.

I used to own a paint and body shop and I figured the affected area would have to be refinished so I experimented to remove the dried up concrete.

Just as mentioned in an earlier post I used Muratic acid on it and it worked!
We had some in the shop cause we use it in the swimming pool. I started out with it heavily diluted, something about 10 to 1. It was working but just barely so I kept using it a little stonger and stronger. When I had about a 3 to 1 dilution it was taking the dried concrete off using some elbow grease. I sprayed it on a shop rag and kept moderate pressure on the affected spot as I wiped it over and over and kept the rag wet. The dried concrete started turning a green color and I got it all off! I immediately rinshed the area for about 10 minutes with straight water from the garden hose and then used the pressure washer on it to make sure I got it all out of the cracks and crevices. I was paranoid that the acid was going to make the paint just peel off in the next few days but to this day it looks as if nothing happpend. This happened almost 2 years ago and all is still fine. I just wanted to share my first hand experience with you. Do what you want. I think it will take it off the frame and fender for sure. Powder coat is some durable stuff, I am not sure however what the jugs and stuff will do though. Test this technique in a small spot first!

Good Luck man and I hope it works out for you. I feel for you.

peace--

razor

[redhill]

wow...that sucks big time

good luck with it !

[rickr01]

Oh Man! I can't explain how bad I feel for ya! I would insist on that Dip Shiets Insurance company paying for it. In my opinion, I would disassemble the entire bike. I mean pull the fenders lights etc and maybe the engine as well. The insurance company may insist on a dealer doing this however, but you can argue that as well. Primary covers cam covers etc all should be replaced as new as that bike is. That acid in cement isn't good for electrical connectors either. If it was running out of the tailight it was soupy and it will get into electrical connectors. ( I see a New harness as well)! You got a fight on your hands but you can win this. It may take a court of law! Don't let this D-Wad get away with this. That is negligence plain and simple and you are entitled to have your bike put back into original condition. If you have a good relationship with your insurance agent, sit down with them. You can file a claim with them (Your own insurance company). This would be considered a comprehensive claim I believe, and not collision. Your insurance company, armed with the right facts ie time date etc will go to battle for you on this. They will pay then go after the others company for re imbursement!
Good Luck and again OUCH!!

[Far 3ast]

I'm not a lawyer or insurance adjuster, so take this for what it's worth (two cents I'd estimate). I suggest you not try to remove this stuff until after you deal with the insurance company. If you do anything to the bike they may claim that you caused damage yourself. Also you hopefully have already taken photos of the damage prior to trying to remove this stuff. You said the dealer already did an estimate on the damage -- was that prior to you trying to remove this stuff?

At any rate, your insurance company would surely go after the cement company to cover your bike rather than having to cover it themselves.

[godzilla22]

I'm not too picky about this kind of stuff...Things happen and stuff gets stained and damaged in the normal course of riding. I'd forget about it and ride it till the wheels fell off and then rebuild it and wear it out again.

[Jonas]

Originally Posted by THEStinger

They are sending out an apraiser for what ever its worth but I have a copy of a quote from my local stealer that clearly says beyond economical repair and came with a quote for a new 2007. I cant wait to spring that on them, but hey if that happens I get a 96" and start off at 0 miles again (sigh)
-S

If that happens I wonder if you could buy that bike back from the insurance company if the dollar was right. You might get it back for 5 or 6 grand.

[Kingodaroad]

Just what I was thinking. See what their ins company offers to do. If total loss see how much they'll give ya and let you retain bike as salvage. You may wind up with enough to do big bore kit and while apart paint the black on the cases over. Maybe enough left to work out something on the other damaged stuff. I and my family have run a State Farm Agency for 22 yrs, not uncommon for the salvage deal to work out in your favor. In Georgia though, once declared a total your title will be stamped salvage probably ruining resale unless you can document exactly what damage was. Also if they pay to repair you may qualify for "loss of value" compensation too. Your ins company will pay under comprehensive coverage and possibly subgrogate what they paid out from the carrier of the liable party if possible.

[Sliponby]

Originally Posted by THEStinger

Thanks everyone so far, The front fender was on it when it happend, I removed it to try and get better access to the front of the forks and such...Its all in the fins of the jugs, caked in the rear fender..oozing out the tail light assy, up under the seat, all over the forward controlls, primary cover (that is black powder coated), forks, sliders, dust covers, voltage regulator god the list goes on and on. They are sending out an apraiser for what ever its worth but I have a copy of a quote from my local stealer that clearly says beyond economical repair and came with a quote for a new 2007. I cant wait to spring that on them, but hey if that happens I get a 96" and start off at 0 miles again (sigh)
-S

Pre dammage picture

Good looking bike. Looks mean as chit. Hope all works out for you. Sounds like even if there was a magic solvent to clean it up...there would need to be a complete tear down. Damn bad break.

PS

Ever consider a flat black headlight?