Suggestions on how to remove scuff marks on system cases?

Hi guys. Long time no talk! I have a question for those of you who have or have had a bike with the BMW system cases. My bike, an 02 R1150RT has the black (textured finish) plastic System Case luggage which have accumulated a few that I’d like to remove. Any tips or suggestions on how to eliminate boot scuff marks? I’ve tried various cleaners to no avail. I’m wondering if lightly using a green Scotchbrite pad with a solvent would do damage to the bags?

I’ve read some articles and seen how some of you have completely restored old luggage to look like new, so I’m assuming what I’m inquiring about should be fairly easy in comparison.

I’d be grateful for any suggestions.


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Mothers Back To Black works for me in the scuffs aren't too deep.

Put stickers over them

Look at Similar Thread feature at bottom of page for some thoughts. Have tried everything on ours, some come out, some have a story.

What usually happens is the scuff turns smooth and shiny and often looks worse. I have seen them sprayed with truck bed liner.

This thread was interesting- https://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.php?49448-Will-panniers-patina&highlight=Rhino
OM

I've given this advise several times, heat the case in the sun then put a 3m green pad over the damaged area and hit it with a rubber mallet. The green pad restores the texture.

BC1100S said:

Mothers Back To Black works for me in the scuffs aren't too deep.

Click to expand...

I have used Mothers Back to Black with great success on some things, but it hasn’t improved the scuffs on my cases.

henzilla said:

Put stickers over them

Look at Similar Thread feature at bottom of page for some thoughts. Have tried everything on ours, some come out, some have a story.

Click to expand...

It drives me crazy. You’d think a textured non painted plastic case would be more resistant to scuff marks in the first place. My Harley had hard saddlebags that were painted and I never had a scuff mark that couldn’t be removed with a good cleaner wax/polish.

PAS said:

What usually happens is the scuff turns smooth and shiny and often looks worse. I have seen them sprayed with truck bed liner.

Click to expand...

That’s exactly what I’m dealing with...mostly shiny smooth scuff marks. Not as bad as some because I’m very careful, but more than I’d like.

Omega Man said:

This thread was interesting- https://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.php?49448-Will-panniers-patina&highlight=Rhino
OM

Click to expand...

Those cases look better than I thought they would, I’m just not a fan of the Linex bed liner, although it would solve the problem.

59312 said:

I've given this advise several times, heat the case in the sun then put a 3m green pad over the damaged area and hit it with a rubber mallet. The green pad restores the texture.

Click to expand...

[emoji15]
Are you kidding me? Does that actually work? It sounds crazy, but if leaving them in the sun to warm up works, then I suppose a heat gun if used carefully could be used as well. Perhaps if I supported the area on the backside of the case which is to be hit with the mallet that might mitigate any unintended damage from occurring. I think I like this option the best so far. Do you by chance have any photos of your results?


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Stickers, you need more stickers. Otherwise you could look at sanding them and painting them to color-match the bike. If that’s not appealing to you and the scratches are in the usual place-the outer lid—then new lids are available and you might find someone in the marketplace interested in your old lids.

Best,
DG

tangoalpha said:

I have used Mothers Back to Black with great success on some things, but it hasn’t improved the scuffs on my cases.

It drives me crazy. You’d think a textured non painted plastic case would be more resistant to scuff marks in the first place. My Harley had hard saddlebags that were painted and I never had a scuff mark that couldn’t be removed with a good cleaner wax/polish.

That’s exactly what I’m dealing with...mostly shiny smooth scuff marks. Not as bad as some because I’m very careful, but more than I’d like.

Those cases look better than I thought they would, I’m just not a fan of the Linex bed liner, although it would solve the problem.

[emoji15]
Are you kidding me? Does that actually work? It sounds crazy, but if leaving them in the sun to warm up works, then I suppose a heat gun if used carefully could be used as well. Perhaps if I supported the area on the backside of the case which is to be hit with the mallet that might mitigate any unintended damage from occurring. I think I like this option the best so far. Do you by chance have any photos of your results?


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Click to expand...

Sorry don't have photos. Pick a shiny spot on a lower part of the bag and give it a try. As you said the bags are easily scratched and that's really all you're doing with the 3m pad. Doesn't take a lot of force from the rubber mallet.

I learned years ago the secret to getting scuff marks off the saddlebags. Dont dont do it!! Just think every time before getting on if this is the day you want ugly scuff marks. Sometimes I can swing my leg over easily, other days it ain't happening. I plan my mount ahead of time by how I at feeling.

Those days i swing my over that seat and if I need to I use my hand to get my boot over the seat. Just remember scuff marks on the seat look just as ugly as scuffs on the paint

Ridealot said:

I learned years ago the secret to getting scuff marks off the saddlebags. Dont dont do it!! Just think every time before getting on if this is the day you want ugly scuff marks. Sometimes I can swing my leg over easily, other days it ain't happening. I plan my mount ahead of time by how I at feeling.

Those days i swing my over that seat and if I need to I use my hand to get my boot over the seat. Just remember scuff marks on the seat look just as ugly as scuffs on the paint

Click to expand...

Well....sure can’t argue with that logic. But...unfortunately the damage is already done. [emoji20]


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This might help
http://bmwsporttouring.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=909275#Post909275