Polishing out a scratch?

After dropping my bike at about 10mph about 6 weeks or so ago,the only real damage thanks to the crash bungs was a broken gear lever and indicator which I replaced. However, I did get some very very light scratches to the front fairing. I've attached a picture, it is only the circled bit, although the lighting and reflections in the photo make it look like there are a few paint chips elsewhere there aren't at all. It is very light, as you can see it hasn't even made it through the sticker in most parts and almost looks like a bit of dirt until you brush your fingers against it and realise it doesn't come off.

I was thinking surely some scratches this light should just polish out? If so I've never done anything like that, so what do I need to use/do to clean it up? And to top it all off where can I get and how much does it cost for a replacement decal so that it will be back in pristine condition? And how do you remove/apply a decal, do you use a heat gun or something?

Thanks

Well first of all I've been lurking around this forum in the shadows
So this will be my first postso...HI

It all depends on how deep the scratch is. I detail cars as a hobby and the best way to correct a scratch is via machine polishing.
Can you feel the scratch with your finger nail?

Tom

Originally Posted by TomSV

Well first of all I've been lurking around this forum in the shadows
So this will be my first postso...HI

It all depends on how deep the scratch is. I detail cars as a hobby and the best way to correct a scratch is via machine polishing.
Can you feel the scratch with your finger nail?

Tom

Well, first of all welcome to the forum.

In response to your question, yes, you can feel it with your nail, the majority of it only just. Most of it I wouldn't really describe as a scratch, its more like a graze, a roughing up of the paint, but you can feel it. The clear white line underneath the 6 is much more like a scratch, although I wouldn't describe it as really deep that part you can definitely feel under your nail.

T-cut, an old rag and a lot of elbow grease...

welcome to the forum too.

[andrewsmith]

Sadly elbow grease as MYC said!

Originally Posted by missyorkie_chris

T-cut, an old rag and a lot of elbow grease...

welcome to the forum too.

Personally I think t-cut is the worst thing you can use as the abrasive doesn't break down and can seriously dull the shine.

I'll be more than happy to send some spare polish I have laying around

Autoglym super resin polish does the trick for me. In combination with the afor mentioned elbow grease.

Originally Posted by TomSV

Well first of all I've been lurking around this forum in the shadows
So this will be my first postso...HI

It all depends on how deep the scratch is. I detail cars as a hobby and the best way to correct a scratch is via machine polishing.
Can you feel the scratch with your finger nail?

Tom

Originally Posted by TomSV

Personally I think t-cut is the worst thing you can use as the abrasive doesn't break down and can seriously dull the shine.

I'll be more than happy to send some spare polish I have laying around

+1 on both counts, all your get with Tcut is a shiny scratch.
My friend does detailing for a living and he advised on the polishing kit i got, you will not get a better flawless shine than with a random orbit polisher, correct pads and polish / compound.

Originally Posted by christian1000

Autoglym super resin polish does the trick for me. In combination with the afor mentioned elbow grease.

SRP is good but it's a filler and will only mask the defects.

Originally Posted by specialone

+1 on both counts, all your get with Tcut is a shiny scratch.
My friend does detailing for a living and he advised on the polishing kit i got, you will not get a better flawless shine than with a random orbit polisher, correct pads and polish / compound.

+1

Originally Posted by TomSV

Personally I think t-cut is the worst thing you can use as the abrasive doesn't break down and can seriously dull the shine.

Well I only mentioned because I've used it and it did the trick for me. Didn't notice any difference to the finish. If you're on a tight budget I think it would have to do but I'm sure it's worthwhile to spend a bit more pennies and do it properly.