Re-Paint

[97Intruder]

Been Been working on my GS.....was tired of the paint that was on it....looked like crap, and had something that I think was supposed to resemble an eagle or something on the tank.....to me it looked like a eagle that maybe smashed into a window( see my post in the For Sale section to see the before pics) so, tonight I got the itch to change the paint scheme of the bike, it was black, with the afore mentioned smashed bird on the tank and silver flame pinstiping, now, I've painted the side panels with Dupli_Color Mirage red/blue.....which once applied, is more like copper/purple. I think it looks great.....but, as the saying goes, " beauty is in the eye of the beholder " tonight, after painting the side panels I started on the tank....filled in where the Suzuki emblems once were, so as to give it a smooth surface.... after I get the tank painted, I'm putting on some chrome flaming skulls...Let me know what you all think.....it's a rattle-can job, but it's all I can afford to do.....and ANYTHING has to be better than what was on it.....(the "clear-coat" was actually yellow)
Sorry about the blurry images, but, my camera sucks....will get some better ones once I'm finished.

[t3rmin]

Looks like a good start! Personally I'd skip the flaming skulls, though. ;-)

[97Intruder]

OK, Here's where she stands so far(sorry for the blurry pics....my camera sucks, either that or I can't figure it out)

[97Intruder]

More Pics of the project

[97Intruder]

These were just some quick shots, as I was happy to get it all together, I'll take some better shots, outside in the daylight after the paint cures and I can buff it out.
P.S. Paint stripper in a can rocks!!!....beats the hell out of sanding....:-D

[97Intruder]

Looks like a good start! Personally I'd skip the flaming skulls, though. ;-)

Well, that's why you said " personally " it's all a matter of taste....for me it's taste, and a " theme" my other bike has the skull theme, so I'm carrying it over to the GS..... hoping it'll make me want to keep it.....if not, the next owner can remove them.:-D Thanks for the compliment though...

[TheCafeKid]

These were just some quick shots, as I was happy to get it all together, I'll take some better shots, outside in the daylight after the paint cures and I can buff it out.
P.S. Paint stripper in a can rocks!!!....beats the hell out of sanding....:-D

Hell yeah it does!! I just used some last night for the first time...freakin awesome. Took 30 yrs worth of paint off in like 20 mins.

[Ironriot]

I'll agree its awesome but brush-on Aircraft Remover can't be beat!

Lol the paint you just put on looks exactly like the paint I just took off. Personally I couldn't stand it. But mine looked horrible, yours came out lookin good. Was it rattle can or actual paint?

[97Intruder]

I'll agree its awesome but brush-on Aircraft Remover can't be beat!

Lol the paint you just put on looks exactly like the paint I just took off. Personally I couldn't stand it. But mine looked horrible, yours came out lookin good. Was it rattle can or actual paint?

Hey Bro!!...

Yeah, it's rattle-can.....I can't afford a "real " paint job......and as I had stated, anything was better than what was on it.....I found that it's all in the prep.....I striped the tank down to the metal, then primered it, then laid the coats on thin and many.....and it turned out great......I got to lay down another coat or 2 of clear on the tank to bring out the depth, but so far it looks good.....how's yer bike comming along? any luck on the carb(s)?

[Ironriot]

Hey Bro!!...

Yeah, it's rattle-can.....I can't afford a "real " paint job......and as I had stated, anything was better than what was on it.....I found that it's all in the prep.....I striped the tank down to the metal, then primered it, then laid the coats on thin and many.....and it turned out great......I got to lay down another coat or 2 of clear on the tank to bring out the depth, but so far it looks good.....how's yer bike comming along? any luck on the carb(s)?

Man I know that situation! I'm painting mine with rustoleum! And yeah prep is what its all about man. I also bondoed the tank where the old suzuki emblems went and some small dents that were annoying. So far its coming along good but work's on it been slow. Tomorrow I'm gonna give it a final sanding and then one last pass with the filler and then primer it. Maybe i'll have the first coats of paint on it by monday but putting the paint down is supposed to be an 8 day process so its gonna be a while before its done

[TheCafeKid]

I just filled (the crap out of it too) and repainted my tank. I have a buddy who is a auto painter who gave me some pointers on rattlecan...number one is DONT read the directions. lol. If you're going to clearcoat it he says its best to clear it as soon as your last pass is tacky-dry. Also if you're clearing it, NOT to let the paint cure for the recommended seven days. He says it will cause clouding. His advise was to give it a day to harden, then wet sand it VERY well from 400grit to 2000 grit and then shoot it with the clear. Wet sand that as soon as its dry to the touch following the same process and shoot it again, and repeat once more. THEN let it cure for a "few days" he says and wetsand again, then shoot one last on it and wetsand and buff the crap out of it. Says it will make it hard and more resistant to fuel spills, and you can get some good life out of it this way. I followed his advice, and so far my tank feels smoother than a baby's arse. Now waiting to shoot the final clear and sand and buff. he also suggested baking it in the oven at 500 for a couple hours...This i wont try...but i see the point.

TCK

[97Intruder]

Man I know that situation! I'm painting mine with rustoleum! And yeah prep is what its all about man. I also bondoed the tank where the old suzuki emblems went and some small dents that were annoying. So far its coming along good but work's on it been slow. Tomorrow I'm gonna give it a final sanding and then one last pass with the filler and then primer it. Maybe i'll have the first coats of paint on it by monday but putting the paint down is supposed to be an 8 day process so its gonna be a while before its done

Well, make sure you post some pics...I'll have some fresh ones up tomorrow...now that I got the bike finished....I got to " step into the zone" to get some hose clamps for my fuel line......zip ties just don't cut it. I'm totally happy with the results I achieved so far.....the wife even said the bike looked good.....and she's hard to please!(aside from myself!!) I know it's hard to remember, but TAKE PICS!!!.....I almost forgot...

[97Intruder]

I just filled (the crap out of it too) and repainted my tank. I have a buddy who is a auto painter who gave me some pointers on rattlecan...number one is DONT read the directions. lol. If you're going to clearcoat it he says its best to clear it as soon as your last pass is tacky-dry. Also if you're clearing it, NOT to let the paint cure for the recommended seven days. He says it will cause clouding. His advise was to give it a day to harden, then wet sand it VERY well from 400grit to 2000 grit and then shoot it with the clear. Wet sand that as soon as its dry to the touch following the same process and shoot it again, and repeat once more. THEN let it cure for a "few days" he says and wetsand again, then shoot one last on it and wetsand and buff the crap out of it. Says it will make it hard and more resistant to fuel spills, and you can get some good life out of it this way. I followed his advice, and so far my tank feels smoother than a baby's arse. Now waiting to shoot the final clear and sand and buff. he also suggested baking it in the oven at 500 for a couple hours...This i wont try...but i see the point.

TCK

Thanks for the tips.....and yeah, he's right(your friend), I never read the instructions .......on anything....when it comes to painting.....it's more like trial and error.....more on the error side when it comes to rattle-cans.....but if you have the time and patience, you can get some decent results. I just buffed out the tank tonight, but have to do some minor touch ups....and will have pics up tomorrow. What is a good high temp paint to use on exhausts?.....the highest temp I saw at the zone is 1500....don't know if that is high enough. I got the original system that came off the bike, the pipes look like sh*t.....and would cost too much to re-chrome, but would like to paint them black, to have as a spare.....they have no baffles, mufflers....nothing.....just open to the world.

[TheCafeKid]

I would think if your bikes exaust is more than 1500 youve got some serious issues hehehe That should be plenty. I have been told 500 is ok too but i wouldnt trust it on the exaust. And dont forget to rejet if you put that bad boy on...i had open exaust on my CB550SS and it sounded like the devil was comin out my pipes...loved it. Like my VH more tho..lil more subdued but still throaty as all get out.

[97Intruder]

I would think if your bikes exaust is more than 1500 youve got some serious issues hehehe That should be plenty. I have been told 500 is ok too but i wouldnt trust it on the exaust. And dont forget to rejet if you put that bad boy on...i had open exaust on my CB550SS and it sounded like the devil was comin out my pipes...loved it. Like my VH more tho..lil more subdued but still throaty as all get out.

Well, I know that the head pipes get pretty damn hot, .....come to think of it, I got one of those fancy laser temp things.... haven't had a use for it .I can just point it at the head pipes after it's warmed up, and get a temp reading......why did I not think of this before?!! As far as the sound....yes, I agree.....mine sounds....well, like a ****ed off bumble bee.....I ride my bike(s) to work though, and I leave at like 6:30 in the morning....and really try to NOT make the neighbors mad......not like I sit out there and rev it up, but ...it's still loud.....that's why I put a stock system back on it.... plus I can work/tune on it without making " momma" mad.
My Intruder is loud enough as it is, and it has mufflers on it.....albeit after market....