Sophomore Rider
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Posts: 134
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Post by bigmac on Sept 11, 2015 1:54:00 GMT -5
Do you guys worry about damage sunlight can cause to your vehicles?
A friend of mine is currently living at his mother's house. The house has a big two car garage but they often leave their cars in the driveway. I've had the same car for about 8 years now. During the first few years, I didn't have a garage for it. The driver's side, which saw the most sunlight, is a wreck now. The trim around the windows is all dried, cracked and falling off, while the passenger side still looks pretty good.
My scooters have rubber seals, hoses and other parts that sunlight can damage so whenever I visit my friend at his mother's house, I park my scooter in their big garage with lots of empty space. One day while I was there, my friend's step father did some work in the garage. Well, apparently my Yamaha Zuma was in the way, so him and his friend just dragged my beloved scooter about 4 to 5 feet backwards while it was on its center stand.
Now I'm told I need to leave my scooter in the driveway whenever I visit. I told these people that I don't like leaving my scooter in hot summer sunlight for hours on end. It's like they don't understand how sunlight can fade and wear down a vehicle.
I sometimes really wonder if hardly anyone else thinks about this issue. Most people I know don't buy their vehicles, but instead finance them and then get a new one after a few years. Perhaps they just don't care about keeping their cars and bikes looking good for years to come.
Also, if any of you here use products to protect your vehicles from sunlight, please share what you use. I've been using Turtle Wax F21 Super Protectant and STP Son of a Gun Protectant. Both products leave plastic, rubber and vinyl looking like new and clean out of the factory. I even noticed a scuff mark on the seat of my Zuma had disappeared after using the Turtle Wax product on it.
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Post by mftic on Sept 11, 2015 9:16:59 GMT -5
I use 303
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Post by spandi on Sept 11, 2015 9:27:10 GMT -5
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Post by beenriding on Sept 11, 2015 9:35:00 GMT -5
Wow, seems like someone has a hate for scooters. How hard is it to move a scooter out of the way? good job on keeping your stuff protected. Everything I own gets sun protected. The boat I used to have had a cover on it at all times except when we were on it. My scooter is covered except when I'm on it, have a place in the garage for winter time when I only ride weekends. The cars go in the garage, that's what it's for. I see boats sit for months uncovered, most of my neighbors have so much crap in their garages the cars sit on the street exposed to the intense Nevada sun. It's a killer.
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Post by spandi on Sept 11, 2015 10:52:50 GMT -5
Wow, seems like someone has a hate for scooters. How hard is it to move a scooter out of the way? good job on keeping your stuff protected. Everything I own gets sun protected. The boat I used to have had a cover on it at all times except when we were on it. My scooter is covered except when I'm on it, have a place in the garage for winter time when I only ride weekends. The cars go in the garage, that's what it's for. I see boats sit for months uncovered, most of my neighbors have so much crap in their garages the cars sit on the street exposed to the intense Nevada sun. It's a killer. I'm in the same boat as you. (Palm Springs) and have sprayed the "Tupperware" with this: www.ebay.com/itm/UPOL-CLEAR-1-UP0796-Aerosol-Automotive-Clear-Coat-Headlight-FREE-SHIPPING-/291371783165
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Post by beenriding on Sept 11, 2015 14:23:06 GMT -5
spandi Hmm, never heard of that product. Could it be used for the headlights?
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Post by spandi on Sept 11, 2015 16:16:12 GMT -5
spandi Hmm, never heard of that product. Could it be used for the headlights? Have a look. BTW, it's British made, so maybe that's why you didn't hear about it until now.
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Post by beenriding on Sept 11, 2015 20:38:08 GMT -5
spandi First thing I thought of when I saw the can... Every time I see this post, I get hungry from that avatar
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Sophomore Rider
Currently Offline
Posts: 134
Likes: 6
Joined: Apr 3, 2013 19:46:08 GMT -5
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Post by bigmac on Sept 12, 2015 0:35:41 GMT -5
Wow, seems like someone has a hate for scooters. How hard is it to move a scooter out of the way? Yeah, I was angry to say the least. I didn't express my emotions then. But the next day, after having looked my scooter over for any possible damage, I told my friend that his step father and his buddy are careless idiots for having moved my scooter like that. Luckily, my Zuma didn't appear to have any damage, however, they now have scrap marks on their garage floor from dragging my 269lb scooter like that. Spandi - I checked reviews on Amazon for that half cover. Everyone seems to be happy with it. I like how it can be put on right after a ride since it doesn't hang down far enough to touch against the hot exhaust. mftic - Does 303 need to be wiped on to apply? I've been searching for something that can be sprayed on then left to dry. Not only would it be faster than wiping every spot by hand with a cloth, but it would be much easier for doing the hard to reach places.
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Post by spandi on Sept 12, 2015 0:52:28 GMT -5
spandi First thing I thought of when I saw the can... Every time I see this post, I get hungry from that avatar Yep, but it is available from U.S. dealers (order online)
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Post by spandi on Sept 12, 2015 0:55:35 GMT -5
Wow, seems like someone has a hate for scooters. How hard is it to move a scooter out of the way? Yeah, I was angry to say the least. I didn't express my emotions then. But the next day, after having looked my scooter over for any possible damage, I told my friend that his step father and his buddy are careless idiots for having moved my scooter like that. Luckily, my Zuma didn't appear to have any damage, however, they now have scrap marks on their garage floor from dragging my 269lb scooter like that. Spandi - I checked reviews on Amazon for that half cover. Everyone seems to be happy with it. I like how it can be put on right after a ride since it doesn't hang down far enough to touch against the hot exhaust. mftic - Does 303 need to be wiped on to apply? I've been searching for something that can be sprayed on then left to dry. Not only would it be faster than wiping every spot by hand with a cloth, but it would be much easier for doing the hard to reach places. I figure it small enough to take with you, and easy enough to slip on and off with very little hassle.
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Post by SylvreKat on Sept 12, 2015 5:59:09 GMT -5
My old wagon, the body mech commented that I obviously kept him garaged. That era of Ford clear coat had a problem with fading then peeling then the paint fading. After 22 years the roof was starting to go. The side mirrors had been silver for a good decade though. So even though he parked five days a week outside at work, the fact that the rest of his life he lived happy and sheltered in the garage made a big diff on the paint.
Oh man I miss my Taurie!!
Peej, I park him on the sidewalk then cover him with a full cycle cover. It has some sort of heat fabric at the exhaust. Rolls up tight and fits under the seat, although it does FILL under the seat. Not much else will go there with it.
Any house I might look to buy someday has two requirements--basement and garage!
>'Kat
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Post by SylvreKat on Sept 12, 2015 6:05:08 GMT -5
As for your friend's stepdad, 'mac, he's more than an idiot. What he did was the same as pushing a car out of the way. But then, most folks don't see scooters and cars alike. My sis'in-law once put my then-very-young nef on my scooter like it was a toy. Her attitude was isn't this fun, oh lookie at you sweetie! And my nieces used to just crawl all around under it. I stopped that fast saying ask Aunt Kathy for whatever they were wanting. I mean, that's 300++ pounds that always has a possibility of shifting and falling, and is totally no place for children to be messing around. Just like I don't let them mess around under the car either. Or plop 'em in the driver's seat to play with the steering wheel or anything. People are idiots. It's up to us to educate them that scooters are vehicles exactly the same as cars. >'Kat, stepping off the soapbox
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Post by beenriding on Sept 12, 2015 8:21:10 GMT -5
That is a cool feature either the heat shield or 1/2 cover. When I ride to work I always have to wait a few minutes before I can put the cover on, extra hassle. Guess I'm lucky, my wife holds my scooter above the cars!
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Sophomore Rider
Currently Offline
Posts: 134
Likes: 6
Joined: Apr 3, 2013 19:46:08 GMT -5
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Post by bigmac on Sept 13, 2015 14:35:44 GMT -5
As for your friend's stepdad, 'mac, he's more than an idiot. What he did was the same as pushing a car out of the way. Exactly. I view it no differently than having my car pushed or pulled to another spot while still in park. I was at that house again yesterday. There's enough unused space in their garage for a Honda Goldwing, but I'm not allowed to put my Zuma 125 inside? It's like going to someone's house with a nice coat on. You see a big coat closet in the house with lots of empty space inside. But after you put your coat in the closet, it's thrown into the kitchen where it could get food and drink spilled on it. Then you're told to not put your coat in the closet when you come to visit. It's just so unbelievably dumb.
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