scratched the CarbonFX Vinyl cover on Sargent Seat

[abhijitz]

i know i am too short [29" inseam] for the bike and hence i need to put it on side stand, stand on the footpeg with the left leg, then circle my leg over the back seat, sit on the bike, slowly bring it to the upright position. Do the same way to get down from the bike.

While i was still learning the process [on my way back to CA], i tried another way of just pulling my right leg out [not in a circle fashion]. It worked couple of times, but once i scratched the vinyl cover.

Is there a way i can buff up the scratch and make it look flush with the rest of the cover? [I called Sargent and all they have to offer me was their custom services @ 80$ + material cost + return shipping]

 

[970mike]

You can try a heat gun to heat up the vinyl to melt it back into the grain of the vinyl. If you do not have a heat gun any upholstery shop would have one. Good luck!

 

[georgiast]

You can try a heat gun to heat up the vinyl to melt it back into the grain of the vinyl. If you do not have a heat gun any upholstery shop would have one. Good luck!

Ditto on the heat gun.

At least, that is what I would try.

Be vewy-vewy careful and check your work often.

Won't be perfect, but you can prob. make it less noticeable.

 

[nm6r]

I would try some Honda Spray Cleaner on it first. You might be surprised that you didn't actually damage it.

Ray

 

[abhijitz]

i dont have a heat gun, i will check with a local upholstery shop. Any idea, how much will they charge?

Ditto on the heat gun.

At least, that is what I would try.

Be vewy-vewy careful and check your work often.

Won't be perfect, but you can prob. make it less noticeable.

 

[abhijitz]

Honday Spray Cleaner on vinyl? i thought these type of spray cleaners are mostly for the bodywork/metal stuff.

I would try some Honda Spray Cleaner on it first. You might be surprised that you didn't actually damage it.

Ray

 

[970mike]

I would not charge for that type of service as I have a upholstery shop also. I would not think any shop would charge very much for a fast fix on that seat. If you have a shop in your area drop by and see. Good luck!

Mike

 

[nm6r]

Honday Spray Cleaner on vinyl? i thought these type of spray cleaners are mostly for the bodywork/metal stuff.

This is the only thing I use on my Sargent Carbon FX seat. I suggest this because I have scuffed mine and thought it was damaged when in reality it wasn't.

Ray

 

[indypup]

I'd suggest that you need to ride more. That's the way I clean mine. Just scoot around on it more and wear off the scuff marks. lol

 

[Mondo]

https://www.leatherclear.com/cgi-bin/store/commerce.cgi

Check some of the products at this site. It says the products also work on vinyl. Good luck.

Greg Kane

 

[RaYzerman]

Another suggestion is to take a fingernail brush or stiff toothbrush to the whole thing to make everything uniform, or perhaps some extra fine Scotchbrite pads with some mild soap solution as a lubricant. The idea is to get everything the same gloss. I would tend to stay away from some cleaners as they have wax in them.

 

[abhijitz]

really? i wish everyone was cool like you. .... i will check with some local upholstery shops.

Am doing relentless riding now, i might just stop over your place in the name of a ride to get this fixed .. what do you think? hee hee !!

I would not charge for that type of service as I have a upholstery shop also. I would not think any shop would charge very much for a fast fix on that seat. If you have a shop in your area drop by and see. Good luck!

Mike

 

[abhijitz]

hmm interesting. i tried windex first, no luck. then tried isopropyl alcohol, no lock and hence was wondering if the Honda cleaner will work for vinyl. In addition, i thought Honda discountinued their aerosol products. Did you buy off a local dealer ? or buy the replicas as i see in google search.

This is the only thing I use on my Sargent Carbon FX seat. I suggest this because I have scuffed mine and thought it was damaged when in reality it wasn't.

Ray

 

[abhijitz]

Thanks, the repair kit looks good.

https://www.leatherclear.com/cgi-bin/store/commerce.cgi

Check some of the products at this site. It says the products also work on vinyl. Good luck.

Greg Kane

 

[nm6r]

hmm interesting. i tried windex first, no luck. then tried isopropyl alcohol, no lock and hence was wondering if the Honda cleaner will work for vinyl. In addition, i thought Honda discountinued their aerosol products. Did you buy off a local dealer ? or buy the replicas as i see in google search.

The only thing I use the Honda Spray Cleaner on is my vinyl Sargent seat so the couple cans I have are lasting a long time. IIRC, it's no longer 'Honda' branded but the can still looks about the same and is sold at more places than just Honda dealerships.

Ray

 

[STPaulK]

Buff in some shoe polish. Make sure you buff it well so it doesn't come off on your butt. I found this will restore a scuff almost perfect.

 

[abhijitz]

^^ This worked [thought not to perfection] !!!!

i used the Honda Spray Cleaner [now called Amrep Spray Cleaner] and interestingly that cleaned off the area a lill bit, though it didnt bring back the shine. Used shoe polish [2-3 times, dabbed the polish on my little finger and rubbed it over the affected area] and then wiped it out [like a polish] with a clean towel ... Things look much better.

Thanks very much Guys for all your inputs, the marks are not that visible. Guess, now i need to be extra careful getting off the bike.

NB : I went to a local upholstery shop with the seat and they suggested to me using shoe polish. They told me for such a small scratch heat gun aint gonna be of much help.

 

[indypup]

^^ This worked [thought not to perfection] !!!!

i used the Honda Spray Cleaner [now called Amrep Spray Cleaner] and interestingly that cleaned off the area a lill bit, though it didnt bring back the shine. Used shoe polish [2-3 times, dabbed the polish on my little finger and rubbed it over the affected area] and then wiped it out [like a polish] with a clean towel ... Things look much better.

Thanks very much Guys for all your inputs, the marks are not that visible. Guess, now i need to be extra careful getting off the bike.

NB : I went to a local upholstery shop with the seat and they suggested to me using shoe polish. They told me for such a small scratch heat gun aint gonna be of much help.

I gave up on cleaning mine. Between me and my passenger the seat always gets scuffed. It wears off though.

Now the marks on the saddlebags are a different story. I had to get that clear plastic film for them in order to keep them looking nice.