Goldwing Paint Quality (or lack thereof)

[Cruiseman]

While I was at Maxim Honda today waiting for my new tires to be installed, I was talking with Bob about the poor paint quality on the Goldwings compared to other Honda models. He took me over and showed me a new VFR800, and the paint was amazing. A pearl white that had a depth than Goldwing owners can only dream of. Then we looked at a new CTX, same thing. BTW, I kinda like that CTX, except that it needs a cruise control.

Here is another little nugged Bob shared with me. A replacement LED headlight unit for a Valk is $1,300! It is $1,200 for the CTX and VFR800.

[Kit Carson]

I hope those headlights do not go bad very often..........ouch!!

I like the Wing a lot, but I have always thought the paint could be a whole lot better. I have had several um er errors and painted parts and clear coated them myself and they are much better than the original paint job. As is the paint on my Trike Kit much better than the OEM paint.

I suppose this winter I will paint the shelter as where the headset cord has rubbed it has marked the paint there beyond a polish with a good fine finish compound.

Might try that water dipping thing, all I can do is mess it up and have to do it all over. I kinda like that carbon fiber look and think that would look cool on the shelter.

[speedy1]

Yep, I like the carbon fiber look also. Thinking about trying it on the dash panel.

[Ghostman]

Unfortunately Honda and their paint issues isnt just limited to bikes its also on their cars. If you read on the web theres some complaints about finishes on their cars also. Im disappointed in how much upkeep there is on their paint especially the darker colors to keep them looking good.

[jmohme]

I really can't complain about the paint on my 2010, but I do have to agree, that for a bike that costs as much as the Wing, the quality should be better than it is.

[Cruiseman]

The first time I noticed the inferior quality of the paint was on my 2007 (which is lightyears ahead of my 2012) when I bought my Bushtec trailer to match my bike. Now THAT is a paint job! The Bushtec made the bike look even worse.

[jmohme]

I'm quite happy with the paint on my 2007 is it just recent years the paint quality has not been so good?

I don't think its a matter of the paint not being good, it just could be better especially when compared to other bikes, even some less expensive bikes.
It has definitely not been bad enough on any of the four Wings that I have owned that I would consider repainting.

[Cruiseman]

My $7,000 Kawasaki Versys had EXCELLENT paint with NO orange peel. The paint on my Bushtec is as smooth as glass. The paint on my 2012 looks like a 60-year old woman's thighs.

[Macwingrider]

WoW Bro.....nough said!!!

[Rick S]

My paint seems fine. I do not have orange peel or the softness like other s have describes. Likewise I have never had any red come off on my cloth when I WAC the red paint. I know of one local bike that the red seems to come off when waxed.. This hopefully is not like the GM white paint mess from several years back. The paint could be better for sure, especially when you look at other honda products and all Harley paint. I guess the robots that paint gold wings got lazy that day.

[Rick S]

Wax the paint, sorry. Can't figure out the edit system on this forum yet. It gives me a empty dialog box and no previous post to edit

[Cruiseman]

I did notice while at the dealer yesterday, that the red 2014 Goldwing paint was MUCH nicer than the black on the F6B, and better than my blue 2012. Not sure why that is, but is was obvious.

[Tony in AZ]

Here is another little nugged Bob shared with me. A replacement LED headlight unit for a Valk is $1,300! It is $1,200 for the CTX and VFR800.

Broken headlight will possibly raise a damage estimate to total a bike. Also: may open the aftermarket up to a LED headlight replacement at half the $ of an OEM ?

[Bongohutch]

I did notice while at the dealer yesterday, that the red 2014 Goldwing paint was MUCH nicer than the black on the F6B, and better than my blue 2012. Not sure why that is, but is was obvious.

I noticed the same recently. It makes no sense to use a different paint on basically the same model. Guess I didn't realize Honda considers the F6B a "second rate" Wing ... Worthy of only a second rate paint job. If I knew how bad some aspects of the paint would be before I purchased. It would have made one "hell-a-va" negotiating point. LoL Ride safe fellas

[TheGLForum]

It is possible that they clear coat the red and not black since red is a VERY difficult color to maintain in the sunlight. Red will always fade before any other color. Just look at the tachs of old vintage motorcycles, the red line is almost always faded.

[genedjr]

My black 2012 will be repainted. I am going to a flat blackout look with graphite accents (read silver parts ). The OEM single stage black paint is horrible. Touch it with anything solid and the paint mares. I have dents in it from insect strikes (granted, at the $1 mark those bugs did not have a chance )

My 10 year old harley paint looked better than the new 2012 GW.
I have tried preping and clearing over the black, but the single stage black used rejected the clear I used. So now it's worse.

I have been looking for a chemical way to strip the black off, but there does not appear to be a consensus on a safe method. So if sanding is my only option I will be doing most of that while the parts are on the bike. I ride all year round...

As I was planning to paint anyway, this is not as big a deal for me as others. Currently the plain is to use PPG products, for ease of use and I really like the flat clear they have. But again, I am open to suggestions as this will be my second attempt at painting plastic. Hummm, sounds like I should start a thread.
...gene

[Retired Army]

It is possible that they clear coat the red and not black since red is a VERY difficult color to maintain in the sunlight. Red will always fade before any other color. Just look at the tachs of old vintage motorcycles, the red line is almost always faded.

The 2013 F6B's were not clear coated and the Tupper Wear under the paint is black. On the red bikes when enough of the top coat is removed on wax applicators and polishing rags the black begins to bleed leaving a spotty appearance. I just bit the bullet and paid to have mine repainted with a generous clear finish.