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GS1000S paint work started

Thanks srsupertrap,

Definately going to get it down to a "managable" state before we shoot paint....
 
+1: Yup, for the bare gas tank you need to shoot epoxy primer first then followed by high build primer. If you use high build primer first the base will never be solid and in time it will move and your beautiful paint job won't last. In your case with all the substrates visible you should use a primer sealer before base.

PPG Omni 170 series is a excellent epoxy primer which when reduced properly can be used as a primer sealer. If your first base coat is white (S right) I believe you would choose Omni 171 white.

I have been hanging around here searching and asking questions . .

http://www.autobodystore.com/forum/index.php

I agree with everything you've said. That's exactly the procedure I use. The epoxy primer and the sealers are very important steps. I'm always asking questions at the Auto Body Paint Store. Materials change so often, and what was compatible even six months ago, could be totally different. Following instructions to the letter on the cans, and with words of wisdom form the people that mix it, I've been able to get some really nice, long lasting, and durable finishes.
 
Hi nvr2old,

What steps are you using to apply the 1000S white & blue paint scheme? I have read and heard several opinions from some very knowledable GSer's out there. It would be interesting to get your opinion as well . . .

Once you have shot the white basecoat are you planning to follow with a clear coat, scuff / wet sand with 500-600, tape off the gas tank, fairing & ABS parts followed by another coat clear. Wet sand to 1500, buff and polish
OR
once you have shot the white basecoat are you going to just tape off the gas tank, fairing & ABS parts. Lightly sand the tape lines and seal the entire deal with coat clear. Wet sand to 1500, buff and etc.

or something else?
 
EDIT

Once you have shot the white basecoat are you planning to follow with a clear coat, scuff / wet sand with 500-600, tape off the gas tank, fairing & ABS parts. Paint the blue portions followed by another coat clear. Wet sand to 1500, buff and polish
OR
once you have shot the white basecoat are you going to just tape off the gas tank, fairing & ABS parts. Paint the blue portions Lightly sand the tape lines and seal the entire deal with coat clear. Wet sand to 1500, buff and etc.
 
Thanks for the interest in my project. Once all the primer is blocked and ready for the basecoat, first, I'll just lightly shoot some black in the areas where the 1/4" stripes will be, just enough to cover. Once the black has dried, I'll use Fine Line 1/4" tape to actually lay out the stripe design (same for the side covers and fairing). I'll then spray everything with the white. Once that has dried, I'll come back and mask off the 1/4" white stripes, then spray the blue. Once all three colors are sprayed, I'll apply the Suzuki tank and side cover graphics followed by the clear coats. 3-4 good wet coats, let it dry, block the clear with 600, then spray another 3-4 coats. That should be enough to totally bury the graphics so there are no edges to be felt. I'll be able to post some updated pics before the week is over. I'll show the stages so it'll be easier to understand my process. The way I do it eliminates having to mask off and paint each stripe individually. All the stripes widths come out perfect this way. Threw in a picture of the body parts again to see the location of the stripes until then. The tail section is almost pristine. I'll just "dust" it with white and then clear coat the whole thing to make sure it matches all the other pieces.

picture.php
 
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Here it is with all the body work done and down to a 100 grit finish. Ready to be sealed and primed

GS1000fenderfinishwork002b.jpg


GS1000fenderfinishwork006b.jpg


I sanded down the factory "seam" along the top of the fender, too. It'll look way better all smoothed out.

GS1000fenderfinishwork003b.jpg
 
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Thought maybe you'd like to see how the Honda CB1100F front fender came out. Had to extend the mounts to fit the GS forks. Fiberglassed both sides of the mounts on both sides of the fender. Very strong and yet still flexible.

GS1000fenderroughglass.jpg


Mid-shaping point

GS1000fenderholesdrilled-b.jpg


The inside has to be finished the same way to clear the tire and to sit smoothly against the forks. Plus it just looks nice

GS1000fenderfinishwork004b.jpg
 
Nice work. You're one of those guys who can do fiberglass...wish I had that skill!
-KR
 
Fiberglass is a very forgiving medium. It's itchy to work with, but you can do a lot with it. I could've, more easily, extended the fender mounts with an aluminum plate on each side, pop riveted in place, but I want it to look like it hasn't been modified. This fender looks so right on this bike, not many people will even know it's not the original (which is restored and stashed away).
 
Finally got to spray the first color today. Black. For the pinstripes. Painting a wide spot makes it easier for me to visualize the striping a little better..especially on the top of the tank. Black is a nice palette to work off of with light-colored tape.

009.jpg


008.jpg


007.jpg


010.jpg
 
A good painter friend of mine showed me an easy way to check how straight something is after its block sanded, wipe some wax and grease remover over it to make it shine, then hold it up to natural light.

004.jpg


006.jpg


005.jpg


I love this stage. Everything starts to payoff.
 
Weather got real nice this past week, up into the high 70's low 80's..perfect for the primer stage. Got it primed and blocked twice in the last few days, once with 180 and once with 320 grit. I like to guide coat everything before block sanding. It makes it so nice for finding every little sand scratch.

001.jpg


002.jpg


All the parts turned out real nice.

003.jpg
 
Can't wait to see the finished paint job, this is looking fantastic so far, nice work!
 
looks really good! just painted mine too and so far your prep work looks better than mine! do you use bc/cc or ss? i used ppg's dcc urethane and i really like that paint, it holds up really well.
 
looks really good! just painted mine too and so far your prep work looks better than mine! do you use bc/cc or ss? i used ppg's dcc urethane and i really like that paint, it holds up really well.

Thanks for the compliment. I'd like to see your bike. I also use PPG products. Urethane, base coat/clear coat, yes. Got to the pin striping stage today. Thought I'd attach a few pics if anyone might be interested.

The side covers took about 2 minutes to lay one 1/4'" piece of 3M Fine Line down on each for the black pin stripe. The front fender took a little bit longer. Basically reversed the design of the original fender stripe to match the round stripe that's on the lower fairing and on the top of the tank.

pbs-9.jpg


Used the 1/4" tape as a measuring tool to get the stripe widths correct.

pbs-5.jpg


The S fairing has such a beautiful body contour to follow. I've always loved the lines of these fairings.

pbs-8.jpg
 
The tank took quite awhile to lay the stripes out on. Something I know is even more difficult after a couple of brews..but never seems to sink in..:D I always start with a center line and work out from there, following the pictures I took before stripping the old paint off.

bps-1.jpg


The first side always takes the longest. Getting it to look just like the factory took several attempts. No time to get queasy about using mass amounts of very expensive tape.

bps-3.jpg


2 hours later, it's looking pretty good. If they look good to the eye, then they're good to go to me. Everything is ready to be sprayed white now. The I'll lay a 1/4" piece of Fine Line up against the one used to mask the black pin stripe to make the 1/4" white pin stripe. I'll mask off all the white areas, and then spray the blue. Should be ready for clear coats this weekend.

pbs-6.jpg
 
Looks good! I have an S that is most likely going to get this same treatment later in the year.

Regarding the clear, what are you using? Saw that you are using PPG but what particular flavor? They have several. My favorite PPG clear is the 2001/2002 series, but it's hard to come by here in CA - not sure if PPG even makes it anymore. Very good stuff if you can get your hands on it.
 
I've got a few paint jobs to do this year and am watching with great interest as well. Especially interested in the progression of different colors.

I have a few question if you don't mind? (I scanned the thread but am still left with these questions)

What is that grease/wax remover? Have a particular brand?

Also what type of tape are you using "3M Fine Line" comes in diff sizes ? Is this something that would be standard at a paint shop?

Looks like you are taping over about a 400 wet sand?

You also mentioned "guide coat" earlier when premiering; I assume that is the darker grey primer fog to find low spots. What do you use more PPG dark primer or can you rattle can something since it is all getting sanded off anyway?

Doing black pin stripes, it would be very difficult to tape off both lines so I can see how the natural approach is to put down the black first and then cover that with the 1/4" inch 3M Fine Line. However, it would seem if there was an option that the darker colors would go on last. Are there any issues with painting white over the black in terms of coverage?
 
Looks good! I have an S that is most likely going to get this same treatment later in the year.

Regarding the clear, what are you using? Saw that you are using PPG but what particular flavor? They have several. My favorite PPG clear is the 2001/2002 series, but it's hard to come by here in CA - not sure if PPG even makes it anymore. Very good stuff if you can get your hands on it.

The PPG clear I use is called "Concept" DCU 2021. A little pricey but a great product. Really covers well. Tough when it's cured. I checked out your album on your own S model..boy, does that bring back memories. Your bike is in pretty much the same condition mine was when I started. Sure seems like a long time ago, even though it's only been just under a year since I started on mine. I'll be anxious to see your progress as it moves along, too.
 
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