The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2

Technical Discussion => BMW Technical Q&A, Primarily R65 => Topic started by: lfdelrio on January 31, 2011, 10:40:02 PM

Title: LS instrument cover refinishing
Post by: lfdelrio on January 31, 2011, 10:40:02 PM

Hi all,
I've been thinking of refinishing/painting the instrument cover/dashboard on my ls as it has a couple of deep scratches. Has anyone attempted to do this? If so what did you use to fill the scratches? ABS cement?, glazing putty? . Any suggestions on the color> I was thinking satin black or semi-gloss black.
Thanks in advance

Luis

Title: Re: ls instrument cover refinishing
Post by: bruce_launceston on February 01, 2011, 02:10:28 AM

I have repainted my LS cover with a good quality matt black spray can. I filled some small stone chips on the smooth section with body filler first.

Title: Re: ls instrument cover refinishing
Post by: Rob Valdez 79 R65 on February 01, 2011, 03:31:02 AM

I'm not sure how you could duplicate the texture.  Hopefully someone has done it with success, before.

Rat bikes rule! ;)

Title: Re: ls instrument cover refinishing
Post by: Bob_Roller on February 01, 2011, 07:04:22 AM

Quote

I'm not sure how you could duplicate the texture.  Hopefully someone has done it with success, before.

Rat bikes rule! ;)

Rob I think they are talking about the smooth cover that goes on top of the small fairing, not the textured rubber that goes around the indicators .

Title: Re: ls instrument cover refinishing
Post by: Rob Valdez 79 R65 on February 01, 2011, 04:38:29 PM

Ah - it must have been "instrument cover/dashboard" that threw me.  I missed that he has an "ls" (LS).

I don't need to identify my bike in my sig line, it is in my name.  Well, parts of it, anyway! (I'm on my 3rd engine and second transmission...  :P )

Title: Re: ls instrument cover refinishing
Post by: lfdelrio on February 01, 2011, 05:55:39 PM

Thanks for the replies, yes I did mean the smooth part on my LS (my bad).

Bruce, did you use a primer or adhesion promoter at all? (on the filler or the rest of the instrument cover) Or would pastic-specific paint be enough?. Also did you paint the textured part or just masked it. Although I have some experience painting metal, and fiberglass parts I've never painted plastic so I thought I'd ask before I make a mess.

Luis

Title: Re: LS instrument cover refinishing
Post by: Julio A. on February 01, 2011, 06:15:22 PM

I've painted on an actual LS before, but I have painted numerous damaged plastic parts.

I never used primer before, but the filler I use was a mixture of epoxy and "microballons", a light and dust like additive to make it softer and easier to sand down.

Sometimes I just scuff the plastic with some fine grit sandpaper if there are only light scratches before painting.

Title: Re: LS instrument cover refinishing
Post by: bruce_launceston on February 02, 2011, 02:34:13 AM

I just gave a light sand to the smooth section and yes I did paint the textured area as well this time.
Previously I masked this part off and only painted the smooth front part.
I didn't use a primer or plasticiser. I use K&H Matt Black in a spray can. It's also great for the lever mounts, choke lever etc. It has just the right semi-gloss level.