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Getting Graffiti Of A Bike

Discussion in 'Detailing and cleaning' started by dukesox, Jun 10, 2019.

  1. Hi All, I have recently bought a tatty 696 monster, mechanically excellent as far as I can tell but one or more of the previous owners has slightly dodgy ideas of how to improve things and has painted words and images on various parts of the bike. Nothing on the painted areas like the tank thankfully.
    I want to get all of the graffiti off but without damaging the cases etc so can anyone recommend anything in particular that would work. I`ll post some pics this evening or tomorrow to give an idea of what has been done.

    Cheers
    David
     
  2. Careful, if it was Banksy you could cleaning off a fortune
     
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  3. Sounds awful! I haven't had a bike with painted on grafiti, but t.cut might be a starting point?
     
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  4. Sadly this was done by his less talented brother Wanksy.
     
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  5. Try 'Mer' car/bike polish.
     
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  6. Consultant a local paintshop for advice and guidance before it becomes a expensive day out.IMO:upyeah:
     
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  7. I would try a bit of petrol or thinners.On an out of the way bit first.
     
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  8. If you use thinners you're going to have a right mess.....
     
  9. Try and determine which kind of paint was used, and use the correct solvent for that. So long as it isn't on a panel which is easily affected by the same chemical, and you don't leave it on too long, it will help lift the newer paint.
    As they say, “test on an inconspicuous area” !
    Depending on the paint type, you will find different things work - including water, IPA (iso propyl alcohol, not Pale Ale!), white spirit, petrol, brake cleaner, acetone ( or its more available nail varnish remover replacement), MEK, weak ammonia solution, etc. all have their uses, but will only be effective on something that is soluble in them.
     
  10. Can you upload an image or three?
     
  11. If it is rattle can paint, it may be worth starting with a plastic paint scraper and vegetable oil. The oil will loosen the paint and you can go at more stubborn areas with acetone, then denatured alcohol. Just go softly and try it on an inconspicuous area first!

    i028824.jpg
     
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  12. Here are a couple I took this morning, not too bad from a distance but not so good up close. Apologies for the bike being left out in the rain, I hoped it might help remove some paint.....
    The Trouble & I have already spent about 6 hours on it and believe it or not it already looks a lot better than it did.

    Not too bad from a few feet away.jpg

    Physical Graffiti..jpg
     
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  13. Would a new casing be that much? A few new bolts?
     
  14. Good idea, wish I`d thought of that.
    Mind you, there are some strange people on here, someone might actually like it and offer to buy it as it is.
     
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  15. Something just popped into my head whilst seeing if there was any update, I wonder if the painting on the engine cases is nail varnish?
     
  16. Funny you should say that, nail varnish remover is next on the list to try today. We are making progress and have the vast majority of the crap off and I took the belly pan off too as that looked terrible on the bike.
     
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  17. Using what?
     
  18. Mainly petrol and white spirit so far .
     
  19. Try warming it gently with a hairdryer and then use a plastic scraper to loosen the unwanted paint but go very slowly and carefully!
    Finish off with Tcut and polishing cloth.
     
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