clear coat problems

[ken wilson]

hey guys,
anybody out there experienced problems with the finish on their runes - i've got a problem w/both the chrome and paint - i clean it and soon afterwards a haze develops - it wipes off but returns - it's like outgassing or rapid oxidation or something??? i never let the bike get dirty enough to have to wash with soap and water and i usually use a spray detailer and soft cloth - i've tried many different detailing products: honda spray cleaner & polish, meguiars quik mist & wipe detailer, eagle one wipe and shine...i've used micro-fiber cloths and terrycloth and soft t shirt rags...i've scrubbed it down w/hot soapy water - i changed the detergent i use to wash the cloths i detail the bike with, etc., etc., etc...problem continues to recur - i called honda who of course, claim they know nothing and that the warranty on "finishes" is only good for 45 days!!! so it's my problem
i'm wondering if honda had a bad batch of clearcoat (couldn't be the paint as the problem occurs on chrome as well) - i keep the bike garaged and covered with soft flannel sheets - i'm like a fastidious old grandpa who uses a toothbrush to clean his bike! but i've got a real problem here wonder if there's anyone else who has experienced it? i've never seen anything like it in car or motorcycle finishes since i've been driving/riding the last 4 1/2 decades
appreciate any feedback - thanks a lot
ken w.

[asacuta]

Wow, that's a weird one. If the chrome is affected, I can't see how the clearcoat is a problem, because the chrome isn't clearcoated. The clearcoat would have to be pretty bad to outgas deposits on the chrome.

Does the problem appear only after you have run the bike, or does it appear even if you have cleaned it and left it unused? If the former, check for antifreeze leaks. Evaporating antifreeze from a leak on a hot engine can deposit residue on everything. If it is a leak, that should be covered under warranty.

[THUMPER]

Question: Have you exposed your bike to any acid vapors? Why I ask, a few years ago I had my floor in garage finish and company used a acid on the floor and of course everything in that side of the garage was cleared out, but the other side of garage witch was seperated by a wall but only up to the rafters I put boat, tools boxes toys, harley and dirt bikes, tv, stero and everything in that room got wasted. Anything that was not painted rusted within a week, anything that was painted look like what you are describing. Big time mess, $90,000 insurance claim!!!..................THUMPER :lol:

[ken wilson]

haze appears after i've just detailed - literally by the time i've finished there's a haze on parts where i began - also appears after riding - also appears overnight when it's just sitting covered in the garage - the car parked next to it does not have a haze problem - i live in s. california so there's not heater in the garage...or a/c
so, there is no coating on the chrome? someone had told me it was clearcoated - hmmm, well the chrome and the paint both fog up - i'm pretty baffled by the whole thing - it's only started doing this in the past 6 months - could it be bad wax? maybe i'll try a strong detergent to strip everything off paint and chrome and start from scratch
bike hasn't been exposed to acid fumes or any other kind of fumes

thanks for the feedback al & thumper

[asacuta]

Washing and then rewaxing with a different wax sounds like a good idea. Don't use too strong a detergent or it may etch the paint, e.g., something like Fantastik would be a poor choice. Fantastik will even etch glass.

This will sound stupid, but have you tasted the haze? If it tastes sweet, it's glycol based; if it tastes sour, it's acid based; and if it tastes bitter, it's soap or detergent based.

[ken wilson]

al, this is a great image - me licking my rune - perhaps someone could capture it on film - i can imagine the jokes around that photo - i think i can find a wax stripper at the automotive or motorcycle shop that's made for the job and won't hurt the paint - thanks for the reminder about that - i'll give it try and see what happens - anyway, it is apparently not a common problem to runes or someone else would have responded similarly

[asacuta]

Licking your Rune is something probably best done behind closed doors. :P

Let everyone know if the strip and rewax solves the problem.

[f6rider]

try some detailing clay. It is made to remove impurities from the finish.
You can obtain it at any auto parts store. It is easy to use and always improves the finish.
I use it on my bikes once a year. I needed it on my Rune when I got it because it had overspray over part of the bike and it worked very good.

john wodarski

04 nrx1800da Black Cherry
03 GL1800a Yellow