TT444: CLEAR COAT BUFFING REPAIR
INSTRUCTIONS
March 16, 2015

Chassis

SB-10057820-4094
APPLIES TO

SYMPTOMS

All 2015 and later Models with Gloss Paint Finish

• Cosmetic information

The PDI calls for the use of the 3M Finesse-it™ Clear Coat Repair Kit to repair minor paint defects
and surface imperfections. This tech tip provides instructions for repairing such defects in the
paint surface.
If sanding is required, lightly wet sand by hand with the sanding discs included in the 3M Finesseit™ Clear Coat Repair Kit sold by Engman-Taylor Co., Inc. (Telephone 262-255-9300 or 800236-1975 or online at www.engman-taylor.com).
NOTE
Do not use the Nib Sander (Part No. 28737) on fine scratches.

Buffing Tool and Accessories
ITEM

PART NO.

3 inch pneumatic buffer

173347

3 inch Hookit™ backup pad

178972

3-3/4 inch Finesse-it™ foam buffing pad

109318

Finesse-it™ polish (purple, gallon)

111588

Detail cloth (yellow or white)

161031

1-1/4 inch A5 466LA Finesse-it™ sanding disc (125 per pkg)

161028

g16870-1

Figure 1. Preparation for Repair and Saddlebag Lid with Clear Coat Scratches

TT444 1 / 4

•

NOTES
Cover adjacent surfaces of the motorcycle and surrounding areas to minimize buffing compound
splatter.

•

Use a new or almost new 3-3/4 inch Finesse-it™ foam buffing pad for clear coat repair.

Condition the Buffing Pad
1. See Figure 2. Apply a 0.25 in (6.35 mm) drop of purple polish to each dimple in buffing pad
(1).
2. Work polish into buffing pad by hand (2).
g16870-2

1

2

Figure 2. Apply Purple Polish to Buffing Pad
3. Attach buffing pad to buffer.
4. See Figure 3. Apply additional polish to dry areas of buffing pad (1).
5. Manually work buffing compound into buffing pad by hand (2). Do not operate tool. Spread
buffing compound over the area of the part to be buffed.
g16870-3

1

2

Figure 3. Manually Work Buffing Compound into Buffing Pad

•

NOTES
Proper conditioning of the buffing pad will minimize the amount of buffing compound splattered
during the buffing process.

•

A conditioned buffing pad is covered with compound and saturated 0.125 in (3.18 mm) deep
as shown in the two photos on the right side of Figure 3.

•

Do not free-wheel the buffing tool at any time. Always start and stop the buffing tool with the
buffing pad in full contact with the part. This practice minimizes buffing compound splatter.

2 / 4 TT444

Buffing Procedure
•

NOTES
If working with a previously used buffing pad, make sure it is in good condition. See BUFFING
PAD CONDITION.

•

See Figure 4. While buffing the part surface, make sure that buffing compound is visible
swirling around (1) under the buffing pad. Dry buffing will result in burning of the clear coat
finish.

•

When buffing near an edge or inside corner put a piece of electrical tape or painter's tape (2)
over the surface to avoid damaging the edge or inside corner with the outer edge of the rotating
buffing pad. If you use painter's tape, do not let the buffing pad wear through the tape.
g16870-4

1

2

1. Buffing compound swirls
2. Protective tape
Figure 4. Proper Buffing Practices
1. Buff the surface in an L-shaped pattern. Apply medium pressure and keep the buffing pad
flat on the surface being buffed. Buff the part for no longer than 1 minute to minimize heat
buildup. One minute is appropriate for an area the size of a saddle bag lid.
2. Run the buffing tool at full speed while buffing. Gradually bring the tool up to full speed over
10 to 15 seconds until you learn to control the trigger.
3. After 1 minute of buffing, wipe the part clean with a yellow or white detail cloth. Keep the detail
cloth clean of foreign debris or additional scratches will appear.
4. Let the part and tool cool for 2 minutes. Inspect for scratches. If the scratches are still present:
a. Apply two or three more 0.25 in (6.35 mm) drops of buffing compound to the buffing pad.
b. Manually work the buffing compound into the buffing pad and spread the buffing compound
over the area of the part being buffed as previously described.
c. Repeat the buff and wipe cycle until the scratches are eliminated.

TT444 3 / 4

5. Clean all residual buffing compound from adjacent part surfaces with detail cloth.

Buffing Pad Condition
See Figure 5. Worn out buffing pads will not buff out scratches. A worn out buffing pad (1) is
shown compared to a new buffing pad (2). The used buffing pad has reduced foam density and
minimal resistance remaining. It can be more easily compressed (3) than a new buffing pad and
cannot repair the clear coat as efficiently as a new buffing pad.
g16870-5

1

2

1. Used, worn out buffing pad
2. New buffing pad
3. Compressing a used buffing pad
Figure 5. Used and New Buffing Pads

4 / 4 TT444

3

tm

3M Finesse-it Clear Coat Repair Kit
You're just TWO STEPS away from
a defect-free finish!
The professional’s choice for
repairing automotive finishes
• Decrease turn-around times and reduce
overall cost of repairs
• Removes small defects in two easy steps
• Reduces labor costs; improves productivity
• Provides a permanent repair to help maintain
your reputation for quality
The fast, two-step
way to eliminate
minor
clearcoat defects

Engman-Taylor Company and 3M have
partnered to develop this revolutionary
clearcoat repair system. Designed
specifically for the repair of clearcoat
damage and defects in automotive finishes
(including motorcycle and marine). This kit
contains everything required to repair most
minor defects.
The 3M™ Trizact™ Finesse-it™ Clearcoat
Defect Repair System gives you a faster,
easier way to make high-quality repairs of
minor clearcoat defects, such as dust and
minor scratches.

Step 1 - Sand

Leaves no swirls or
scratch marks

Step 2 - Buff

The Finesse-it system uses advanced 3M
abrasive technology to quickly remove
imperfections, then polish out fine sanding
scratches in just two simple steps – making
conventional 3 and 4-step repair methods
obsolete.

For more information:
Call Customer Service @ 1-800-236-1975 or order online @ www.engman-taylor.com

tm

3M Finesse-it Clear Coat Repair Kit & Accessories
Standard Components
Includes Hard Plastic Case

Sanding Tool & Accessories
1-1/4” Pneumatic Nib Sander (1) #28737
1-1/4” Finesse-ittm Roloc Soft Pad (10) #089149
1-1/4” A5 466LA Finesse-ittm Sanding Disc (125) #161028
Buffing Tool & Accessories
3” Pneumatic Buffer (1) #173347
3” Hookittm Backup Pad (2) #178972
3-3/4” Finesse-ittm Foam Pad (Orange) (10) #109318
Finesse-ittm Polish (Purple) (Gallon) #111588
Detail Cloth (Yellow) (5) #161031

Clear Coat Repair Kit
CE Approved

Now with CE Approved Buffer

Optional Components
Finer

Fine

Polish (Gallon)
3MTM Finesse-itTM Ultra Fine
3MTM Finesse-itTM Extra Fine
3MTM Finesse-itTM Final Finish
3MTM Finesse-itTM Polish (Purple)*
3MTM Finesse-itTM Finishing Material

Finer

Fine

1-1/4” 466LA Film Discs
3MTM Finesse-itTM A3
3MTM Finesse-itTM A5*
3MTM Finesse-itTM A7
*Standard with kit.

Full Line Distributor
Air Tools Abrasives Tape Safety Supplies
For recommendations on what combinations of abrasives and polishes work best for your clear coat
or paint process, please contact Mike Schmeling at Engman-Taylor Co., Inc.
262-255-9300 - Toll Free: 800-236-1975 - Email: [email protected]

Clear Coat Kit Order Form

Please complete, print, sign, and FAX this form to
262-255-6512
or email to [email protected]

Engman-Taylor Company, Inc.

DATE: __________________

W142 N9351 Fountain Blvd., Menomonee Falls, WI 53051
Phone 262-255-9300 Fax 262-255-6512
[email protected]
Order Online www.engman-taylor.com
Payment Type: Credit Card

Paypal

Credit Card Information:

Shipping Address:

Cardholder Name

Dealership Name
Attention

Street Address

Street Address

Address 2

Address 2

City, State, ZIP (Province, Postal Code)

City, State, ZIP (Province, Postal Code)

Country

Country

Telephone

Email

Card Type (MC, VISA, AMEX)

Card Number

Paypal:

PayPal payments should be sent to: [email protected]

H-D DEALER #
(REQ’D)

QTY

ITEM #

JOB

Card Expiration Date

SHIPPING
METHOD (INTL)

SHIPPING
METHOD (DOM)

USPS

UPS

DESCRIPTION

160829

3M FINESSE-IT CLEAR COAT REPAIR KIT W/ HARD CASE CE
APPROVED

28737

1-1/4" PNEUMATIC NIB SANDER (MMM00051141287379)

089149

50198 PSA 1-1/4" ROLOC SOFT PAD FOR SANDER

161028

56251 1-1/4" A5 MIC 466LA FINESSE-IT DISC (GRAY) Pack/125

173347

28333 3" PNEUMATIC BUFFER CE APPROVED

178972

UNIT PRICE
(US $)

UNIT

1284.05

Each

470.94

Each

6.32

Each

51.00

Pack

484.23

Each

20350 HOOKIT PAD DISC 3" x 1/2" (for CE buffer) Pack/2

16.60

Pack

109318

51158 3-3/4" ORANGE FOAM BUFFING PAD 02637 Pack/10

53.44

Pack

161031

39016 YELLOW DETAIL CLOTH 12" X 14" Pack/5

19.32

Pack

111588

51157 FINESSE-IT POLISH PURPLE GAL 51056 GAL

99.40

GAL

To follow

Each

Shipping charges will be added at time of shipment

CVV Code

LINE TOTAL

SUBTOTAL

Updated 02-26-2015 - Prices subject to change without notice.

By signing here you are agreeing to purchase these items based on our
standard terms & conditions:

TOTALFROM PAGE 2

TOTAL

Print Name: _______________________________________ Signature: ________________________________________________

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES
QTY

ITEM #

DESCRIPTION

UNIT PRICE
(US $)

UNIT

164532

20515 1-1/4" A3 MIC 466LA FINESSE-IT DISC (GRAY) Pack/125
(Finer than supplied in kit)

51.00

Pack

164537

56288 1-1/4" A7 MIC 466LA FINESSE-IT DISC (GRAY) Pack/125
(Coarser than supplied in kit)

51.00

Pack

LINE TOTAL

Previous Models
160052

1-1/4" PNEUMATIC NIB SANDER (3125)

157849

60537 PSA 1-1/4" SOFT PAD 3125P FINESSE-IT

60733A

114409

OBSOLETE
6.70

Each

REPLACEMENT SKIRT FOR 3125 SANDER

22.09

Each

55764 HOOKIT PAD DISC 3" x 1/2" 02700 (for obsolete buffer)
Pack/2

12.15

Each

SERVICE PARTS
QTY

ITEM #

DESCRIPTION

UNIT PRICE
(US $)

UNIT

LINE TOTAL

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