[fatboy02]

Picked up my '02 Fatboy last May and it had what looked like a small piece of dirt under the clearcoat. Dealer ordered a new tank and I made the 200 mile (one-way) trip to have the tank installed. Went out and looked at the bike and it had several fingerprint size blotches in the new tank. They said they wanted to buff it out and I told them that I probably wouldn't be happy with it becasue it was gonna have swirl marks in it because it is black. They tried, it did, new tank ordered. I then made another trip and had the third tank installed--they buffed this one before they ever brought it out to me and it looks okay in the shop but get it out in the sun and there are still some blotches like the second tank and, of course, it has swirl marks. So what am I left to do--I've got an $18k bike that looks like a shady used car dealer got a hold of it with his buffer. Should I continue to go through the dealer, contact Harley, or what? Any advice will be appreciated.

 

[OldMiC]

Fatboy02,
At this point I think I would try to fix it myself. Look up Zaino products on the web. (let me know if you can't find it). Others on this site have mentioned they use it as well. It takes several steps to apply, but will remove swirls (by the way, I always polish in a straight line, not in circular motion), and puts on a killer gloss. Good Luck!

 

[bruuuuce]

Take it to a REAL paint shop.... You shouldn't see any swirls when done correctly.

 

[Jshuster]

Are These Guys Nuts!!!

Fix it yourself BULLSHIT!!!! Tell that dealer to come and pick it up and get it right!!!! If they cannot contact the dealer REP for that area and let him have it!!! Do not spend your own money to fix it!! do not let these Jackasses push you around. The reason they think they can is people let them!!! My .02 cents

 

[OldMiC]

Re: Are These Guys Nuts!!!

Fix it yourself BULLSHIT!!!! Tell that dealer to come and pick it up and get it right!!!! If they cannot contact the dealer REP for that area and let him have it!!! Do not spend your own money to fix it!! do not let these Jackasses push you around. The reason they think they can is people let them!!! My .02 cents

I figure I'm gonna buy the Zaino anyway. Why not see how it looks before you decide to let them take the bike again? Just my .02. And hey, Happy New Year!

 

[sask-man]

I totally agrre! DO NOT TOUCH THE TANK! Make HD fix it...you pay good money for a bike and it should have quality paint...thatas not optional, that should be the minimum standard. I bought my 99 new and came back from Sturgis with a chip in the paint on the tank that was obvious as a defect as the paint flecked on the backside of the tank...so stone chip etc was out of the question. HD fought like bastards that it was everything under the sun, and finally "gave in" by getting me a new half side tank from HD under warranty. It was black so I was worried about having one side brand spankin new and one side with a few months of sunshine on it, but luckily the one guy at the dealership took the time to buff up the other side to a perfect match. You swear it was like someone there was paying for it out of there dying kids medicine money! SOunds like the dealer is being a bastard and dont let them back you into feeling like "oh perhaps I"M too picky"...They OWE it to you to get it right...they sold you a product, you paid for it and they MUST deliever!

CHEERS
FXST99

 

[fatboy02]

For a second I would feel like I was being too picky but then I'd step back and think of what I paid (and still paying) for this damn thing. I'd almost near settle for my old tank back now--it was better than either of the other 2. I guess I'm gonna get in touch with a factory rep next week and go and go from there because I'm sick of making the 3 hour trip to get it swapped.

 

[chops]

For what's it's worth, I've only owned black cars in the last 20 years.
(And black bikes too, now a black '02 Fatboy)
The best fix I have found is 3m professional swirl mark remover for dark colored cars.
Apply it by hand, and as I stated in another thread, it works like FM, and no I don't mean frequency modulation.
About $10 a bottle.

 

[PatriotARK]

I totally agree with what most everyone has said....you payed good money for the bike and that you want it right and the dealer should make it good. Having said that,if I had to make a 400 mile trip over swirl marks,I'd spend 10 bucks on some 3m stuff and fix it myself. I've done paint work for over 25 years and belive me,you CAN get swirl marks out. Just my .02