paint and bondo removal

[jaimes-duran]

Hi guys look since I've been riding my bike a lot now I want to work on the way it looks. The PO I bought the bike from painted both engine covers black and filled in the lettering with bondo. My question is how exactly can I remove the bondo in such a tight spot as the logo? I got the paint off but the bondo is on there like concrete! Any information would be appreciated, thanks.

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Aircraft remover, or soak in paint thinner for a day or so

[crazy steve]

...and filled in the lettering with bondo. My question is how exactly can I remove the bondo in such a tight spot as the logo? I got the paint off but the bondo is on there like concrete!

Sandblasting will take the bondo out pretty quickly and not leave a mess. If your covers don't have the rubber sound deadening on the inside of them, you can also use heat/flame from a propane torch. Chemicals will also work, but are generally messy and slow.

[fredintoon]

Hi guys look since I've been riding my bike a lot now I want to work on the way it looks. The PO I bought the bike from painted both engine covers black and filled in the lettering with bondo. My question is how exactly can I remove the bondo in such a tight spot as the logo? I got the paint off but the bondo is on there like concrete! Any information would be appreciated, thanks.

Hi J-D,
the genius PO actually bondo'd the YAMAHA lettering flush?
WTF for? If he was ashamed of riding the marque perhaps he shouldn't have bought it?
Coulda been worse, some brain-dead XS650 owners have belt-sanded their lettering away to reduce the casting thickness to that of baking foil.
What you can do if the chemical attack fails is to grind a narrow screwdriver into a chisel point and very carefully use a light hammer on the screwdriver to chip the bondo out.

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Whan you said motor covers, I assumed you were talking alum covers? If so, air craft remover will remove the bondo in about 30 min. If you are talking side covers, No not use

[bikerphil]

Maybe just get some new ign/alt covers, they seem to be pretty cheap on eBay from time to time. JAT

[lee_dutcher]

chemical way is the best way to go in my opinion make take time but it wont hurt the finish bad enough a little elbow grease wont fix

[jaimes-duran]

finally got it done. I used SUPERSTRIP last night went to work today came back and couldn't believe my eyes! Not only did it work but it took the bondo in perfect letter forms right out. Literally pushed them out the aluminum! Also yes I was referring to the engine covers. I also agree with the comment about the PO covering it. I do think he was ashamed because not only did he do this but he also removed every badge on it including the $40 tank badges, $50 side cover badges, etc! Either that or he loved everyone asking "what is that thing" like they do me. I tell them I don't know the guy I bought it from said it was a MOTORCYCLE!lol

[fredintoon]

finally got it done. I used SUPERSTRIP last night went to work today came back and couldn't believe my eyes! Not only did it work but it took the bondo in perfect letter forms right out. Literally pushed them out the aluminum! Also yes I was referring to the engine covers. I also agree with the comment about the PO covering it. I do think he was ashamed because not only did he do this but he also removed every badge on it including the $40 tank badges, $50 side cover badges, etc! Either that or he loved everyone asking "what is that thing" like they do me. I tell them I don't know the guy I bought it from said it was a MOTORCYCLE!lol

Hi J-D,
apply patience, eh? I could use a big can of that but Canadian Tire don't stock it. Great that the bondo lifted out of there for you.
If the PO totally de-badged the bike, well some people are like that. I heard that the fad started with the 1950s car hop-up guys who de-badged, de-chrome-stripped & de-bumpered their vehicles to make them look "cool".
The search button will point you to badge suppliers if you want them.

[latexeses]

If you have any acetone around I would think it would clear the bondo out in record time. Just try spilling some on something you desparately want to keep.

[ManagerMike]

De-badging can also occur due to other causes, in my case when I first accuired my bike as a basket case barn troll, all of the badging (tank, side cover and tail emblems) were missing.
Due to previous misadventures, the tank was dented on both sides and both engine covers were scratched and gouged! Hand grips torn, levers bent, both front signals missing....you get the picture.
Bondo and new paint were my only viable aternative, reversible of course with new engine covers, new tank, new emblems etc.. Oh and new paint again....aka; lotsa moohla.