Clear Coat failure

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mark419ny

mark419ny

Joined
May 31, 2012
Messages
5,516
Location
South Florida
Anybody ever hear of this? i took my bike to the guy that put on the expel ultimate paint protection as i got 2 new fairings that need the paint protection. i said what are these bubbles. so he took off the paint protection and was looking at it. he said you have clear coat failure. i said whats that. he said the clear coat actually separates from the paint. it looks like little air bubbles but they are smooth not chipped nor an actual bubble. you can barely notice them but it will drive me nuts

what can i do?
 
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Mark,

Sorry to hear about your issue. Pics would be helpful.

I also had XPEL Ultimate film applied when I first got the bike. Did your installer use a heat gun to apply the film? I hate to speculate, but I'm afraid the guy might have not been so careful with the heat and damaged your paint. My installer has been doing films for over 10 years and has done 2 of my cars, so I trust him and my film came out perfectly.

Hope I'm wrong...
 
Yea I dont think the bike has a separate clear coat process. I believe its a one step paint.
 
Geez, Mark that sucks. I think you might be stuck though. I thought clear coat was a liquid and put on as a spray, then bonds with the paint. Or is this like the 3M film? Doubt it looks really bad, just that you notice every little detail. Like a good pani owner!
 
Last edited:
mark419ny said:
Anybody ever hear of this? i took my bike to the guy that put on the expel ultimate paint protection as i got 2 new fairings that need the paint protection. i said what are these bubbles. so he took off the paint protection and was looking at it. he said you have clear coat failure. i said whats that. he said the clear coat actually separates from the paint. it looks like little air bubbles but they are smooth not chipped nor an actual bubble. you can barely notice them but it will drive me nuts

what can i do?
Click to expand...

I had the same issue on my tank.....took it to the dealer and once they saw it, they said that is was an issue with the clear. Had to get the final ok on it so i waied for about a week thinking that they would just replace the tank. Finally got word back from them last Wednesday and they told me that Ducati gave them the ok to get the tank repainted!!!! I asked them who the f*ck is gonna paint this tank and match it exact to the rest of the bike?!?!?!?! Their reply was not to worry!!! So now I am sitting and looking at the thing with no tank and stressing out about if the paint is going to match or if it is gonna look like a frickin Camry painted by some dude in his backyard!!!! I didn't get a pic of it before I took the tank in to them to post it. Sorry.
 
JeffD said:
Mark,

Sorry to hear about your issue. Pics would be helpful.

I also had XPEL Ultimate film applied when I first got the bike. Did your installer use a heat gun to apply the film? I hate to speculate, but I'm afraid the guy might have not been so careful with the heat and damaged your paint. My installer has been doing films for over 10 years and has done 2 of my cars, so I trust him and my film came out perfectly.

Hope I'm wrong...
Click to expand...

no i watched him do it 2 times just uses water
 
bronch said:
Geez, Mark that sucks. I think you might be stuck though. I thought clear coat was a liquid and put on as a spray, then bonds with the paint. Or is this like the 3M film? Doubt it looks really bad, just that you notice every little detail. Like a good pani owner!
Click to expand...

just to be clear it has nothing at all to do with the xpel film. it is applyied with water like tinting a car window. this is in the paint itself. you cant rub it out you cant even feel it. i tried to take a picture but you cant see it in a camera. my xpel guy is amazing. he was wrapping a whole car when i got there. he wasnt repairing my film. he was putting xpel back on my fairing which had melted from the exhaust.
the only thing he had to do with the clear coat is he noticed it. i may have been unclear on that point
 
I have this on some edges, overall I am not happy with Ducati's paint quality. It's soft, chips easily, and has bubbles. I stopped caring as long as it runs and nothing is glaringly wrong with it. OH well, like a Sour Patch kid:

First it's sour, then it's sweet!
 
friday im going in for service i am bringing it up maybe i can get a new nose piece
 
mark419ny said:
friday im going in for service i am bringing it up maybe i can get a new nose piece
Click to expand...

Can you take pictures? It would be helpful if anybody has the same experience. Hopefully your dealer does the right thing.
 
My R had it on the tank, small bubble by the white stripe on top, the dealer took pictures and Ducati sent a new tank and 2 new side plastics that had very very small scratches on the top edge.
 
ROADTOYS said:
My R had it on the tank, small bubble by the white stripe on top, the dealer took pictures and Ducati sent a new tank and 2 new side plastics that had very very small scratches on the top edge.
Click to expand...

thats exactly what this is. i will find out friday and keep you posted.
 
stealership said he didnt see anything. i was like really? you dont see this and that and this and that as i pointed to each one. then he said thats the film. i said its under the film as the installer (dealer recommended and my friend) will attest to it. nothing is done.
 
Sam diamond said:
I had the same issue on my tank.....took it to the dealer and once they saw it, they said that is was an issue with the clear. Had to get the final ok on it so i waied for about a week thinking that they would just replace the tank. Finally got word back from them last Wednesday and they told me that Ducati gave them the ok to get the tank repainted!!!! I asked them who the f*ck is gonna paint this tank and match it exact to the rest of the bike?!?!?!?! Their reply was not to worry!!! So now I am sitting and looking at the thing with no tank and stressing out about if the paint is going to match or if it is gonna look like a frickin Camry painted by some dude in his backyard!!!! I didn't get a pic of it before I took the tank in to them to post it. Sorry.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't worry too much, I imagine they can get the color codes and match it perfectly. Not to mention there are dividing spots, so it would have to be a significant difference to spot it with your eye. I've had various body work done on cars, and always amazed at how well they can match. I'm glad to hear Ducati accepts the claim. I'll have to inspect my bike.
 
mark419ny said:
stealership said he didnt see anything. i was like really? you dont see this and that and this and that as i pointed to each one. then he said thats the film. i said its under the film as the installer (dealer recommended and my friend) will attest to it. nothing is done.
Click to expand...

Did you find some ancient voodoo head while traveling or something? You have the worst luck with this thing I can imagine. I'm telling you, yours was the last one on the line friday afternoon. Boss says, finish that one up and you can all go home.
 
Mark, did you actually show up at the dealer to complain of paint issues while having a clear film installed over the issues?
 

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