76 KZ 650B1 ( AMF auction bike ) part 2

[chuck hahn]

So, after the CB 350 distraction, I am again resuming shooting on the body work. Hopefully in a few days these will be wrapped up.

[chuck hahn]

Tank and side cover emblems ordered tonight. One step closer to the finish line.

[chuck hahn]

My friend that manages the paint supply house I get my materials from is on his way over as I type this. First coat of clear has been applied and cured for 24 hrs. Sanded nice and smooth with 600 grit and the decals will be applied at some point tonight. Getting close to wrapping it up .........finally!

[chuck hahn]

Well it went exceptionally good. I almost got a woody now....LOL!!!

[nvr2old]

Looks good, Chuck. I'm proud of you. Good thing you didn't have those skills when I was doing your work a few years ago..you would've never needed my services..

[chuck hahn]

It all was ( and to some extent still is ) pretty intimidating at times Larry.

[nvr2old]

That's what makes the finished product so satisfying when it's done..and believe me, it never gets old when you stand back and admire a job well done.

[chuck hahn]

Went out and checked the parts over tonight and everything is laying smooth and no signs any bad adhesion problems. Gonna let it gas out another 24 hrs and hit the first very light coat of clear. We have handled the parts a lot when applying the decals, so I am thinking a little wipe with some rubbing alcohol ( being careful of the decals of course) will clean the surfaces for the clear. Whats you opinion Larry??

[nvr2old]

I'm not a big fan of rubbing alcohol, Chuck, especially with paint and decals that fresh. If you don't have wax and grease remover, may I suggest some greatly reduced Simple Green in warm water and using those blue paper shop rags to clean and dry your parts because they have zero lint and no static electricity problems. Then lightly tack before your clear coats. A lot of people wipe down parts with a tack rag and that does way more wrong then right..actually creating fish-eyes..in fact I would wear gloves during the whole cleaning and tacking process to make sure the oils in your fingers don't contaminate the surfaces.

[Nessism]

A professional painter buddy taught me to use my HAND as a tack rag prior to painting. Wash your hands really well with something like Simple Green first of course. Use really light pressure, just enough to wipe off any dust. You can feel the dust so it's easy to tell when the surface is clean. This method sort of flies in the face of the text book but that's what I do regardless.

[chuck hahn]

I have some micro fiber towels still in the packaging. Think I will be doing my wipe downs with those.

[nvr2old]

I have some micro fiber towels still in the packaging. Think I will be doing my wipe downs with those.

Wash them first, Chuck. Seriously. I know that sounds crazy, but you'll save yourself from any contamination that way. New microfiber cloths are nice, but you don't know where they came from before being packaged. A roll of those blue paper shop rags is only a couple of bucks..they work great..and they are absolutely clean. There is no such thing as being too careful at this stage of your paint job.

Something else (just general info) is washing microfiber towels all together, w/o anything else in the wash with them. They pick up all kinds of things from other towels, clothes, whatever, and it's harder then crap to pick that stuff off. Sorry to mother you, man (and anyone else who already know this)

[chuck hahn]

I am gonna wash them first Larry. I meant the micro fiber towels would make good wipe down rags and not leave any lint behind.

[nvr2old]

Boy, I sound like such a know-it-all snob when I say things like this, but microfiber towels are for polishing. That's their job. I only say sh.. like that because I've made the mistake of using them for other purposes and have been bit in the butt. They will never be the right "kind" of clean. Even the brand of laundry soap used when you wash them have different additives, maybe perfumes..what ever..and that's fine when they're polishing rags. Your final wipe down rags really need to be vetted. Those paper towels..I swear, are the best way to go. Use it once, toss it, pull another one off the roll for the next task.

[chuck hahn]

These are in an unopened heat sealed bag.