One last question: How long typically does the clear take to dry? My wife want's her car back in the garage. lol
Painting My Bike with Rattle Cans
The winter is approaching, and all of us are busily making our maintenance and modification plans. Mine includes repainting my bike from blue to silver. One of the POs painted the bottom of my tank black, and it looks like crap.
![Wheel Tire Car Land vehicle Vehicle]()
As a side note, I cut off about four inches from my exhaust canister last weekend to get rid of some road rash at the leading edge. I think it came out well, and it is not noticeably louder. I like the look, shorter, but not stubby.
![Tire Wheel Land vehicle Vehicle Fuel tank]()
Nevertheless, I found some excellent information on SVR, and some other sites about painting motorcycles. The writeup below was from from 2008 by JBSWEAR. It's very informative.
So, you want to paint your bike?
This youtube does a great job explaining the steps.
Professional quality paint job for under $100
And this in-depth writeup is painfully detailed.
How to paint a motorcycle without a compressor & spray gun
I am going with Silver Ice Metallic from GM on the tank, fender and side panels. I saw the color on a Chevy pickup, and I like the looks. My plans are to sand the tank and do some light bodywork, prime filler, prime sealer, color coats with Dupli-Color, then clear coat with Spraymax 2K.
Before I begin, I have a few questions for the members.
1. Has anyone removed their factory tank stickers. I read here that they lie under the clearcoat, but I have not read of anyone removing them. My thoughts are to just sand them out, but I don't want to run into any issues. I was hoping not to sand to bare metal, because a lot of the paint is in good condition, and would make a good base coat. Ultimately, I plan to install new factory stickers on the tank in black.
2. I have only a little body work experience. My tank has a few dings, not much deeper that 1/16th on an inch. Can I simply use spot putty to repair the dings, or am I going to have to resort to body filler?
I will post pictures and steps along the way if anyone would like to follow along. Thanks for the assistance.
-Geo
As a side note, I cut off about four inches from my exhaust canister last weekend to get rid of some road rash at the leading edge. I think it came out well, and it is not noticeably louder. I like the look, shorter, but not stubby.
Nevertheless, I found some excellent information on SVR, and some other sites about painting motorcycles. The writeup below was from from 2008 by JBSWEAR. It's very informative.
So, you want to paint your bike?
This youtube does a great job explaining the steps.
Professional quality paint job for under $100
And this in-depth writeup is painfully detailed.
How to paint a motorcycle without a compressor & spray gun
I am going with Silver Ice Metallic from GM on the tank, fender and side panels. I saw the color on a Chevy pickup, and I like the looks. My plans are to sand the tank and do some light bodywork, prime filler, prime sealer, color coats with Dupli-Color, then clear coat with Spraymax 2K.
Before I begin, I have a few questions for the members.
1. Has anyone removed their factory tank stickers. I read here that they lie under the clearcoat, but I have not read of anyone removing them. My thoughts are to just sand them out, but I don't want to run into any issues. I was hoping not to sand to bare metal, because a lot of the paint is in good condition, and would make a good base coat. Ultimately, I plan to install new factory stickers on the tank in black.
2. I have only a little body work experience. My tank has a few dings, not much deeper that 1/16th on an inch. Can I simply use spot putty to repair the dings, or am I going to have to resort to body filler?
I will post pictures and steps along the way if anyone would like to follow along. Thanks for the assistance.
-Geo
101 - 120 of 140 Posts
By the time you get some decals on it and a Tank protector it will be way better than as you say the job the PO did
Also once cured after say month or so you can T-cut it/ Compound polish it if you want but as always do a test section out-of-sight.
It's interesting, I complained yesterday of some unevenness in the metal flakes in some areas after laying the clear. I was hoping the clear would cover it, but it didn't. But looking at the tank this morning, the unevenness seems to have largely cleared up.
Taken yesterday after the clear. See the spot at the rear left side of the tank (near the reflection of the florescent bulbs) where metallic flakes are blotchy?
![Automotive lighting Idiophone Automotive design Automotive tire Motor vehicle]()
This is a pic I took this morning showing the blotchiness has largely corrected itself.
![Automotive tire Fluid Fender Automotive exterior Gas]()
Here's another angle. Yesterday:
![Vehicle Automotive lighting Motor vehicle Automotive design Fender]()
This morning:
![Automotive tire Fender Gas Musical instrument Automotive exterior]()
Crazy stuff. The metallic flake gremlins seem to have straightened themselves out overnight. I'm happy. Not perfect, but 90+%.
Taken yesterday after the clear. See the spot at the rear left side of the tank (near the reflection of the florescent bulbs) where metallic flakes are blotchy?
This is a pic I took this morning showing the blotchiness has largely corrected itself.
Here's another angle. Yesterday:
This morning:
Crazy stuff. The metallic flake gremlins seem to have straightened themselves out overnight. I'm happy. Not perfect, but 90+%.
On the flip side the cameras have helped people find stolen Motorcycles and cars
Where I live once I get out of the urban area, which isn't far, I can ride at the legal speed limits plus sales-tax<grin>
Finally got her back together. I think the difference is remarkable. Thanks for all your help guys. Now all I need are some side frame covers (gone when I bought it), new blinkers, brake pads and lines...nevermind.
Went for a ride and she's purring like a kitten. All's good.
Before:
![Tire Wheel Land vehicle Vehicle Fuel tank]()
After:
![Wheel Tire Vehicle Land vehicle Fuel tank]()
Went for a ride and she's purring like a kitten. All's good.
Before:
After:
Motorcycle Tank Grips and Tank Pads - TechSpec-USA Gripster Tank Grips™
TechSpec, The Original Motorcycle Tank Grip™ Pads. Used by multiple GP teams, we provide the highest quality tank grips and tank pads.
techspec-usa.com
Might want to try Tech Spec tank pads, we have used them for years on multiple bikes with good success, never moved. Removed them from a bike, installed new adhesive (3M sheet) and reinstalled after a re-paint.
101 - 120 of 140 Posts
