Fuel Leak Clean-up

[STrider]

3 of the recent 5 bike help related questions are mine. Is that a bad sign?

Oh well- Recent (02-04?) Triumphs had a recall for breaking plastic fuel line connectors. I got it done, but not before i experienced the need for the recall.
The result was a sizable leak down the right side. Paint & plastic cleaned up nicely, but I cannot get the stain off the frame.

Metal polish= Shiny stain
Soap= Clean stain
Orange Cleaner= Clean, orange fresh scented stain.
Scratch-x= No change
Clay= No change

for obvious reasons, I am reluctant to try anything very abrasive. Ideas??

[Squeaky]

Paint = covered stain!

[STrider]

lessee that lid first, then we'll talk about you getting close to my bike!!

[gotdurt]

Nooooo! Another bad-idea-with-plastic victim! Oh well, at least you weren't half way across the state.... :headbang:

Luckilly, I didn't get any stains in the Trumpet, but I have had them on other bikes (leaky carbs, petcocks, etc). I've had good luck with carb cleaner, but it doesn't react well with some paints, and since my Triumph paint doesn't even like Simple Green :angryfir: , I wouldn't go there. Get some 1000 grit wet sandpaper (available at Walmart in the auto dept.), lightly wet-sand it until it's gone (within reason, that doesn't mean to go down to the primer), then rub it good with some scratch remover compound followed by a polish like New Finish. That should do it.

[mlinkibikr]

You might approach the dealer and see if the cleanup is covered by warranty since their defective part was at fault. They may have experience with how to clean it up anyway.

Dave.

[STrider]

Nooooo! Another bad-idea-with-plastic victim! Oh well, at least you weren't half way across the state....

Actually, I was in Fredricksburg. On a Sunday. Is that 1/2 way enough? Thanks for the advice. I have some 2k grit, I will start with that. :chug:

[STrider]

Good idea re: dealer, but they are in CA. I will call around here & see if they at least have some input.

[gotdurt]

Nooooo! Another bad-idea-with-plastic victim! Oh well, at least you weren't half way across the state....

Actually, I was in Fredricksburg. On a Sunday. Is that 1/2 way enough? Thanks for the advice. I have some 2k grit, I will start with that. :chug:
That definitely isn't exactly convenient, but I was near Big Bend.... :tears:

[scratch]

lessee that lid first, then we'll talk about you getting close to my bike!!

She did a good job on Snoopster's old bike where she blended in silver paint over some battery acid etching on the frame just behind the motor. So I've seen the evidence that it can be done. ;-)

If your cleaning efforts don't yield a satisfactory result, it probably wouldn't be that difficult to mask off the whole frame rail, clean it, lightly scuff it and shoot a couple of coats of new silver paint on it. You would need to pull some plastic off, and possibly drop the brake and/or shift lever out of the way. Bet you could do it in one evening and be ready to ride the next morning after putting the fairing back on.

[Squeaky]

lessee that lid first, then we'll talk about you getting close to my bike!!

I've touched up Deb's frame with high temp silver, painted a motor (but the motor didn't go in the bike), and this helmet for Mike(HOU)R1: (click on thumbnail for full pic)

BEFORE
http://img128.exs.cx/img128/4953/dscn03957xd.th.jpg (http://img128.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img128&image=dscn03957xd.jpg)

AFTER
http://img54.exs.cx/img54/4820/dscn04598jz.th.jpg (http://img54.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img54&image=dscn04598jz.jpg)

I'm also working on Dragwn's helmet, and am excited about the results so far. Give me a few more weeks, and I'll be buying some ad space to get more helmets and fairings done!

[kurt]

I wish I had talent instead of just good looks. :-D

[Tourmeister]

Kurt... I have some bad news for you... :-P

[Tx Rider]

Speaking of talent, Squeaky didn't you say you had a plastic welder?

I have a little job if you can weld ABS(at least I think it's ABS), the right side radiator shroud on my KTM got the mounting tabs cracked in a fall a while back, now that it's rolling once again I need to get it fixed.

I'll probably be looking to go on a trip down in the forest around Huntsville pretty soon.

[Gilk51]

Sounds like we have a common problem - we need some plastics welded, too. Maybe we can just visit Squeak & take her out to dinner...

[Squeaky]

Dinner and a movie. I don't work THAT cheap!
I don't have the plastic welder yet - Harbor Freight was out of stock when I went over there last time. I will be looking to get one though, so for little more than the cost of supplies, we can work something out.

After they get put back together, 'them parts need some paintin' too!

[Tx Rider]

We could let ger ride our bikes. :)

Mine doesn't need paint, it's all white anyway. The tabs are on the back side of the shroud. The radiator shroud in front got caught on a big rock when I went down while going up a 45 degree ravine over some baby heads. It just broke the fron top tab, and partially broke the bottom front tab.

Here's a pic (http://killer.playnet.com/pics/bikes/KIF_0619.JPG)

If I fall on some gravel or racks and trash the stickers though I'll pull em off and and let ya have at it though.

Let me know if ya get the welder.