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GS1000S paint work started

Ready for the clear coats now. Love the graphics. Brings it all together.

GS1000decals-graphics001.jpg


GS1000decals-graphics002.jpg
 
Looks great! Where did you get the graphics? Saw that Reproduction Decals sells a kit but they want a lot of money for it.
 
Nessism said:
Looks great! Where did you get the graphics? Saw that Reproduction Decals sells a kit but they want a lot of money for it.
Click to expand...

Thanks. The Suzuki decals are OEM and came with the bike so I'm not sure what they cost or if they're still available or not. They were purchased about 6 years ago by the previous owner. The Yoshimura decals I got on eBay for, like, 5 bux, and the side cover decals were replicated by a local vinyl graphics business for about 20 bux..not cheap, but they're done really well, and a snap to apply.
 
So, the clear goes on after the graphics? I wasn't sure about that as my side covers look like the graphics are on top and I've already stripped the tank.
 
reddirtrider said:
So, the clear goes on after the graphics? I wasn't sure about that as my side covers look like the graphics are on top and I've already stripped the tank.
Click to expand...

It's a matter of choice. Most factory paint jobs have some clear over the decals and stripes for protection, but you can see and feel the edges. I'm gonna make em go away completely. They're thin enough that they'll bury quite nicely after a couple of clear coat/block sanding sessions. I do have a bike with vinyl graphics that are on top of the paint, and they've actually held up very well, but I like the look of them "under glass".
 
nvr2old said:
It's a matter of choice. Most factory paint jobs have some clear over the decals and stripes for protection, but you can see and feel the edges. I'm gonna make em go away completely. They're thin enough that they'll bury quite nicely after a couple of clear coat/block sanding sessions. I do have a bike with vinyl graphics that are on top of the paint, and they've actually held up very well, but I like the look of them "under glass".
Click to expand...
I understand completely.

BTW, I'll add to the list of compliments on the paint job - very nice.
 
nvr2old,

You have enough blue and white base coat for another full paint job? I might be willing to buy it from you if you do. Drop me a PM if you want to discuss.:)
 
Nessism said:
nvr2old,

You have enough blue and white base coat for another full paint job? I might be willing to buy it from you if you do. Drop me a PM if you want to discuss.:)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the offer, Ed. I'd better hang on to what I have left. I only started with a pint of each color, which is probably enough for 3-4 full paint jobs because so little is used to just get them colored before the clear. You never know when it might come in handy for an "unexpected" touch up down the road. I'd be glad to give you the PPG paint codes for the colors. They actually "scanned" my original pieces to make the colors, and I'm sure they could do the same for you.
 
nvr2old said:
Thanks for the offer, Ed. I'd better hang on to what I have left. I only started with a pint of each color, which is probably enough for 3-4 full paint jobs because so little is used to just get them colored before the clear. You never know when it might come in handy for an "unexpected" touch up down the road. I'd be glad to give you the PPG paint codes for the colors. They actually "scanned" my original pieces to make the colors, and I'm sure they could do the same for you.
Click to expand...

Yea, I have blue and silver from a Kawasaki repaint, and pearl white from a GS750ES repaint. In my case, I'd love to move the leftovers to recoup some of the paint costs. No worry about the color match, I'll just take a side panel to the paint store and have them match off that.
 
Never2old-Is the a paint brand you recommend for a begginer? I know you need to use the whole system within the brand-but I don't want to buy too expensive or to cheap of a brand while I'm learning.
 
This was about an hour ago, just finished spraying the first round of clear coats. I'll block it down in a day or so, add 3-5 more clear coats, and that should be enough to finish it off for the final sand and rub out. :D

GS1000clearcoats002.jpg


The striping, the Suzuki logo and the blue are original, looked too nice to mess with, plus I think it's cool to have one piece (other than the clear) that hasn't been restored.

GS1000clearcoats003.jpg


I like that the factory dimple in the center is gone. Little things like that to me really clean things up.

GS1000clearcoats004.jpg


GS1000S fairings are so beautiful. A new mild-smoked windscreen should be here next week.
 
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This is pretty much the end of this thread I believe. That's my painting process from beginning to end. This is the first time I've ever been this involved with one of my projects on a forum, and it's been really cool. Thank you guys for your interest, your knowledge and making me feel welcome. I'll post some pics in a week or so on how the final polishing turns out..

GS1000clearcoats013.jpg


I probably put more time into this fender than all other body pieces combined. I'm totally stoked about how it turned out.

GS1000clearcoats012.jpg


I wanted to match the fender stripe with the top of the tank.

GS1000clearcoats008.jpg


The factory really nailed a beautiful striping design on these bikes, how could you ever change it to anything else?

GS1000clearcoats005.jpg


When this baby is polished out, you'll be able to read the small print on that newspaper reflection..
 
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Absolutely fantastic job! One of the nicest paint jobs on this forum. Do you do this for a living? if not you should...hats off my friend!!

:clap:

This thread is not over until we get to see a picture of that bike!! :D
 
Very Nice; thanks for taking the time to post the details and answer questions.. I know I'm not the only one that has had some apprehension about taking on a multi color paint job.

Jim
 
jwhelan65 said:
Absolutely fantastic job! One of the nicest paint jobs on this forum. Do you do this for a living? if not you should...hats off my friend!!

:clap:

This thread is not over until we get to see a picture of that bike!! :D
Click to expand...

Thanks very much. I used to do it for a living. I've painted everything I've ever owned, car, bike, whatever.. but totally changed directions and became a disk jockey 28 years ago. I still hang out with talented painters and customizers and do at least one bike a year for myself. Therapy, ya know.. I can't wait to show it off, and especially to ride this bike when it's done. I've wanted to do this to one of these S models every since they first came out. Other than one in a private collection, I've never seen one on the road. I'm very proud to own it.
 
It is a FANTASTIC job...*I* think so...So much so thats why I contacted you about doing the "Cooley" version of the 1100 that is my ES...you should find that its pretty similar, but different none the less...
 
WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL work you do, lots of patience and a great deal of effort.
WELL DONE, great stuff.
 
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