Modern Vespa

I don’t think they go trough the paint, but they are quite deep. Don’t know what to do with it..

I’ve said this before. Nine times out of 10 when you strip a re-spray hoping to uncover nice original paint you find stuff like this. Most people don’t paint perfectly good bikes. They do re-sprays to cover up unsightly dings, scapes, cuts, dents, and assorted boo boos like this.

It looks like someone put a buffing or sanding pad on a drill and applied to much pressure, and the mandrel dug into the paint.

The only way to remove scratches like that is to sand them out.

Patience and the least grit possible...

Yeah why not. Might as well give it a go.

Get a flat foam sanding block, a bucket of water, a towel, and some sheets of 600, 1000, 1500, and 2000 wet sandpaper.

The idea is to remove the paint surrounding the scratches with progressively finer grits of paper down to the bottom level of the scratches so the scratches aren’t visible. The scratches left by the finest sandpaper can then be buffed out.

I’d probably start with 600 grit but you may want to start with 1000.

Put a little dishwashing liquid in the water to keep the paper from clogging up and soak the paper for a few minutes before you start.

Start sanding in an inconspicuous place. Use long strokes. Don’t press too hard but keep even pressure on the sanding block.

Stop every few passes, wipe the surface with the towel, and check your work.

When you can’t feel the scratches, switch to the next highest grit paper to sand out the scratches left from the previous grit. Then go to the next highest grit to remove the scratches left from that paper. And so on. Rubbing compound will remove 2000 grit sanding marks.

Like Tierney said, if the scratches are deep you’re going to need to take off quite a bit of paint before they start to disappear. You may decide it isn’t worth it.

Good luck.

Geez, thanks for this explanation!
Few questions if you don't mind:
You say to switch to the next grit when I don't feel the scratches. Do you mean by hand? Or with my nail?
I was reading a bit this afternoon, and people advised 2000, 2500 and 3000.
What do you think?

In general: I only have this on the front of my legshield, especially on the right side (when in front of the scoot). Fortunately not on the rest!

Thanks again!

Btw: it looks worse on picture

Well you said the gouges were deep. Wouldn’t hurt to start with a finer grit, it’ll just take longer. After you’ve done it a few times you get a feel for how much paint you can safely remove with different grits. The scratches will get fainter and fainter as you sand the surrounding paint. You don’t want them to completely disappear until you’ve used the finest grit, if that makes sense.

When you’re finished sanding the paint will look hazy. You’ll have to rub the final final sanding scratches out with compound. A rotary buffer or d.a. polisher will be helpful.

I’d just go until they no longer bug you, not necessarily until they are gone.

That’s true. Don’t laugh, but I said that based on the pictures

OK. Went to a car shop this morning for advise.

This is the plan:

1. Wet sand with 3M Trizac P3000
2. Compound with 3M Fst Cut Plus Extreme
3. Polish with 3M Extra Fine Plus

Would you guys do the complete Vespa with one of these steps in order to blend the problematic area into the rest?


For wet sanding, on the DA.

Compound and polish afterwards.

You've got the goods right there. You may not have to sand the whole bike but I’d definitely compound and polish it. Prepare to be amazed. PerfectIt is good stuff.

Yep. That’s the plan. Wetsand the problematic area’s and then compound and polish the whole bike.

+1 on perfect it

Went to pickup the 3M Trizact 3000 grit this morning. Decided to buy a 1000 grit as well. Will still start with the 3000, but if that doesn't work I'll switch to 1000 and then again 3000. Also bought an interface pad, to be sure to be able to follow the curve!

Okay.. The misses has a new kitchen, and was organizing it today, so had some time to work on the Vespa...

Lost some paint in the process, but like the outcome!

First wetsanded to get rid of most of the scratches, then the first product (Fast Cut Plus Extreme). Then the second one (Extra Fine Plus). The second one gave some white spiccles, so I stopped using it.

Put the cowls back on, replaced the front and rear brake cables, put a rear brake light switch on it.

Feeling a bit sad about the paint that's gone on the legshield, but on this scoot that doesn't have to ba an issue.

Thoughts?


90% of the scratches gone, but also some paint..

oh my gosh!

Is that Oh my gosh ?
Or oh my gosh ?

Good work! Now just get that last bit of green off, clean the wheels up and ride that thing with pride.

the first one DD with thumbs up!

Thanks!
Gonna put the seat on as well first

On that last pic, it seems the back wheel is out of line. What to do?

Change your motor mounts. They are rubber and deforms over the years. Can be done with the motor in but easier with motor out.

BTW, Great job!!!

Checked it today, and a big part of the problem is the angle of the picture. After summer I’m going to rebuild the engine, and I’ll do the bushings then.

It's alive (again)!

Still quite some work to do..

Set the brakes
check the plug, and if necessary the carburettor. I feel it's a little rich at the moment
Replace a few cables
Foot rails
Chrome around legshield and on cowls
Clean the rims
etc...

But still happy it's back on the road. Weather is quite nice here for the moment.. So..

Piccies!

nothing wrong with that scoot at all! Nice job!

Not a fan of the rear seat but rest of the scoot looks killer. Huge improvement, nice work.

WOW - what a transformation! Great job. I cannot wait to get mine back on the road now!!!

Congratulations! It must be very satisfying to have gotten it to this point!

Me neither. It’ll go.
Either just the rack, or the original duoseat which I find more comfy than these soloseats anyway.

Got rid of the solo seats. I'm to close to my handlebars and also to high.

Bought a duo this morning. Was going to restore the original one, but it appeared to be a Lambretta seat


Also went for a ride again!

The little guy on the scoot is not me, it's Max, my son

Vintage steel transportation

very cool man dig the photo's son looks cool I like the helmet! I hear you on the seat, tried it on a small frame but at 6'2" it gets cramped. Bench looks good too.

Another one..

Cool pictures! And I'm diggin the bench seat. I'm going to do the same!

Another one, in front off and old... steel factory!

All aboard!

My 16 yo daughter Sarah said she could take better pictures.. So she took her iPhone, we took the Vespa and... she's right

fantastic work and nice pictures.

now go ride and enjoy

Yes your daughter takes nice photos too