The '98 5th gen has passed the 50k mile mark, and has developed some scratches in the clearcoat. My two main concerns are: 1) the tank, primarily because of scratches but I also want to install the TechSpec grips that I purchased a couple of years back following my first track day experience without being able to grip the tank well enough with my legs (I kept sliding into the tank and having to push myself back). It will be easier to paint before installing them. 2) the left side cowl which was purchased new from Honda following my near miss with a deer three years ago. I also wanted to add clearcoat to my pillion cover. I've painted all of the other plastics following the close call with the deer, and in the process found that the factory clearcoat is extremely thin. I was also successful in protecting the stickers, that were otherwise unprotected, with clear, and want to follow suit with these three items.
First, I have a question regarding the fuel supply line under the tank. For those of you who have removed the tank, have you replaced the sealing washers with new as the service manual suggests? I'm tempted to reinstall the used washers. What is your experience?
Here's a photo of my three subjects prior to paint prep of the tank. I've already sanded the other two with 2,000 grit
Some post 2000 grit sanding photos The tank had a heavier factory clear (no burnthrough). The Left fairing, however, was a challenge to not go too far. The clear from the factory is so very thin that you must check your work very often! I was wet sanding with 2000 and using a clean paper towel to wipe the surface dry. Doing so, you know immediately if you have gone through the clear when the white paper towel has a bit of red in the liquid that is wiped off. As noted in a previous post, I wanted to bury the sticker on the fairing with clearcoat. To do so it is necessary to give the clear some "tooth" to grab onto when it is appled to the surface. So, sanding the sticker is required. If you look closely at the bottom tip of the "F" and at the leading edge corners of the "I" in Inercepter" you can see a white spot where they were sanded through. Like I said it is challenging and touchy work! And the pillion cover.
