749/999 Stone chip Protecter thingy, REMOVAL!
 

Just put deposit down on 749 and gonna pick it up next friday (woo hoo), but it's got one of those white stone chip protectors on the front, which I don't particularily like. Does anybody know how to move these without damaging the finish?

Ta ever so!

J

Im sure there is a pun in their somewhere with your hair dryer comment dseered. :)

When I got hold of my stone chip protector the people at the shop said it should come off no problem with the use of a hairdryer and should clean up ok afterwards.

Well, It's Ducati Aylesbury, and because they are a bunch or, erm... well let's just say I asked, and Steve said, "ooh no, it'll ruin the paint work, you're better off leaving it" to which I merely gave a withering smile and left it at that.

If the hairdryer malarky is tried and tested, I'll certainly give it a go, are you, er, sure it'll work? :)

J

its the same procedure as any other vinyl. The heat from the hairdryer just softens the glue underneath enough to peal away easily.

I use heat guns for work, but i wouldnt advise that unless you know what you're doing.
Hairdryers cant do any damage.Then just use an alcohol based cleaner to remove excess glue.

You may find that the dealer is discouraging removal because it is already hiding other scratches/dings?

Mine came from them and they were the people that said the hairdryer will do it.

Ta very much, I hope there's no damage, I'll get very bad tempered indeed!

I shall approach the hairdryer technique with Ducati Aylesbury on Monday.

Why aren't you lot out riding??

Tis nice here in Londinium and surrounding areas! Not much use wiithout a bike tho :rolleye:

my wife loves me so much that she brought me back a dozen 'Krispy Kreme's'!!

1st time i've tried them and now im in too much pain to go anywhere (her scheme worked!!)....oh...and the subframe is being powder coated.:D

Had to come back, lost my number plate so didnt want to chance staying out longer to get a pull by the local constabulary.

Had a lovely blast down the A3 to Newlands corner then A31 to Alton for elevenses then home in time to watch the MotoGP qualifying with my race mechanic, chief tuner, transport driver, and their crew chief! Just had dinner brought up to me by my team catering manager and will probably get a dressing down from my team fitness instructor for letting CK FORCE ME to eat so much at the station cafe!
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

arses!
 

I asked the dealer to ask previous owner whether he applied the protecter due to stone-chipping, and he came back very quick afterwards and said yes, he had, so apparently there is going to be some chipping underneath the blooming thing.

Has anybody had experience with stone-chips, and how bad can they be? I'm not bothered with slight blemishes, but big ones are less ideal. I've never had such things on any of my other bikes, so am wondering if the dealer is just not keen on removing it. They won't accept responsibily they say of there's chipping under the protector, which I suppose is expected.

Can these things be re-applied after removal?

So many questions, perhaps one day I can be of use too.

J

Seriously doubt they can be re-applied, you'll probably damage it getting it off, at best the glue will be removed so allow water to get between the protector and the nosecone.

Also if you're going to remove it it could well make things worse and the paint is already damaged, it could potentially lift more paint off when you remove it :(

Not a chance of it being re-applied,why are you so keen to take it off anyway.
They dont look half bad?

yukkers! I don't it :barfy:

But i may have to get used to it if the paint is gonna come off! Maybe get a respray in that case.

Or, if you really hate the things, just walk away from the deal and find a bike with no protector or stone chips.

Already put deposit down, I'm a dunce, but everything else about the bike is great. I'm sure I'll cope, it's the ride I'm after!

I do think you may be blowing things out of proportion a bit.

Lets say that some horrific nightmare awaits you beneath (unlikely...probably just a couple of stone chips)

Worst case scenario is that you just buy another number board or have it painted to your taste anyway.

Im sure that once removed,you will find everything is ok:D

That's the spirit! :burn:

Why don't you just say to Steve that the deal depends on him taking the thing off and ensuring the nose cone is 100%.
If he won't do it, walk away and buy one from somewhere else.

there is no point buying something you are not sure about, who knows what lurks beneath?????????????????

Personally I don't mind them but you will never put it back on and you will need a new one about £60ish. On mine one tiny corner was peeling up very slightly, the dealer replaced with a new one at first service.

I reckon if what's underneath is really bad I could just get a new protector, but I'd probably just get it re-sprayed, I don't think I'll cancel the sale because of it, I'd lose my deposit, and the bikes in good nick otherwise, low mileage etc, so I'll ride it loads so I can get over the fact of having a new bike and then worry about removing it I think.

As for doing deals with Steve, I'd agreed a price with him the week before, I get there and he's put on £200 on the price tag which I pointed out, looks like he was trying to infer that I was already receiving a discount, to discourage haggling, 'expletive here'!

I'm not enjoying my buying experience with these guys at all, just looking forward to the bike and I can forget about them hereafter.