Modern Vespa

I'm new to Vespa and new to the forums... and need a little advice.

I recently purchased a used LX150 that had a Faco front rack installed; the cups have scratched both sides of the legshield to the metal.

I'm trying to piece together information from the (seemingly) hundreds of posts regarding scratch repair and repainting, but haven't found any information or advice on protecting a repainted legshield from further damage if I reinstall the rack. Additionally, I've not had much luck determining if I should use a rattle can or touch-up stick with a repair like this.

So,
1) Assuming I prep and repaint correctly, will the repaired surface be more susceptible to scratching?

2) As the repainted area might have a constant abrasive contact (the rack), is there anything I should do differently in my painting, prep and post?

3) I've ordered both can and touch-up stick, but am still not sure which would be best for a repair like this.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated...

If you do reinstall the rack, look into Snider's Paint Guard. It might do the trick. I don't know how much abrasion it can take before it wears through. Others here who've been using it for longer could probably tell you.

Don't use the brush that comes with the paint. Get a few very fine detail brushes from a model shop and use those. The brushes that come with touch up paint work but often lay too wide of paint.

You can easily make that damage look 85% better if you take your time.

If you want to use a front rack without needing paint protection, get an OEM Vespa rack that attaches with two bolts into the chassis at the top and uses a long bolt through the horn grille to secure the bottom. This makes for a rigid, immovable mounting. It's the movement you get with clamped mounting that causes the damage.

Wow, so I'm actually not the only one with that complaint about a Faco front rack. The damage it's doing to my paint is the only complaint I have about it. Luckily, it isn't quite that bad yet. Completely worn off the clear coat in spots, though.

Sounds like you need a piece of the clear coat plastic to go under the suction cup feet to minimize anymore damage. That way the plastic get damaged and not the paint.

Tried that, actually. Didn't work. I'm thinking of just keeping the rack off when I know I won't need it, until I can figure out one with a more permanent mount to minimize the movement, as stated above.

The Logoscooter rack would require me to remove my Stebel horn. The new GTV OEM rack, if I can ever obtain a danged part number for the thing, might require me to remove my badge wings. I think I'd rather part with those than with the Stebel.

Scooterwest.com sells a bra that covers the front of a LX if you want to try something like that. I have one on mine to cover a modification that I did couple of years ago..

After repairing the paint (and letting it thoroughly dry, of course) I would get a smart phone screen protector from Zagg and cover the area of contact. It's the same material used on the leading edge of helicopter rotors in desert areas (Iraq, Afghanistan, etc.) No association with Zagg, but I love my screen protector.

...if that was his scoot he would probably try to re-do the decals to cover this...

You have not been charged for this consultation

Good luck with it!

Mark

Thanks for all of the tips, everyone. This will be a fun one since I'll have to remove the checkerboard before I can prime and paint. Unless I just sticker over everything, of course. Maybe a unibrow, connecting both headlights. Your repair thread was one of the more helpful ones I came across in my search, Witch.

Regarding Faco: The rack was very secure; I don't think it was improperly installed or loose. The cups are not worn, nor do they appear to be overly hardened or weathered. My scoot probably had 5,000 daily-rider miles logged on her with it installed, so she's had plenty of time to receive wear. And Tulsa isn't known for smooth roads, either. Personally, the wear doesn't bother me; I'm mainly concerned with protection from rust and prevention of further damage.

More pictures of the rack-wear are below, please excuse my unwashed ride: