Decals

[reddirtrider]

I should have checked earlier, but Reproduction Decals says you should wait 1 week after painting before applying their decals and 2 days after application before clear coating.

This seems like an excessively long time to me. I would like to do the base, pearl, and one clear coat, then allow to dry for a few hours, apply the decals and follow up with more clear the next day.

Any experienced painters have suggestions?

[crapwacker]

They are about right on. Unless you have a baked on finish, it will take that amount of time for all the solvent in the paint to evaporate. And so far as the decals go, they are a film with a water based adhesive, or a contact adhesive, both of which need time to "vent". Patience it truly a virtue when ti comes to a spectacular finish. Or, you can do some pro style masking and paint the details on! (it would take ME less time to wait out the recommended drying time)

[nvr2old]

I should have checked earlier, but Reproduction Decals says you should wait 1 week after painting before applying their decals and 2 days after application before clear coating.

This seems like an excessively long time to me. I would like to do the base, pearl, and one clear coat, then allow to dry for a few hours, apply the decals and follow up with more clear the next day.

Any experienced painters have suggestions?

I think you should be alright following the recipe you have, with the exception of allowing the first clear coat(s) after your pearl to dry for a at least 24 hrs. I'd put a couple of coats over your pearl, you don't want to sand through the clear into it at this stage. Open it up with 600 the next day. Don't worry about getting it totally smooth yet, just open it up a little and let it breathe. After another day, sand everything as smooth as you dare with 600, clean and tack rag the surface, apply the decals, and clear again. Make sure the first couple of coats of clear over the fresh decals is sprayed pretty dry. You have less chance at eating into them that way. Give it 15-20 minutes between coats, and gradually spray it a little wetter for your final 2-3 coats. It's always better to spray a little dry than too wet and getting runs, which are a beetch to fix. It has to be sanded and polished anyway. Good luck, I'll be anxious to see your results.

[reddirtrider]

Thanks for the replies. I'm kind of behind schedule as I was tring to get this bike done for my sons' wedding and didn't make that due to various issues.

It's a pretty dry climate where I live and I could always set the parts in the sun after they tack up. I'm not sure I want to do that as the sun is pretty intense at 9100'.

Thanks again.

[reddirtrider]

Well, I was able to put down 4 coats of white, 2 coats of pearl, and one coat of clear before the clouds started rolling in. I wanted to get another coat of clear, but decided not to chance it. My garage door is open and if the wind starts to blow with wet paint I'm screwed.

So, all in all it looks poretty darn good. I'll post some pics when the wife gets home tomorrow. It's her camera and the sofware is on her computer.

I believe the paint dude told me to mix the clear 2:1 with hardner. I hope that's correct and not 2 parts hardner to one clear. Is that right? I'm tired and hungry. It's been a long day.

[tejasmud]

I don't know on your thoughs, but what about just just going with the pearl to get through the wedding, then work the decals, and clear over them later?

Just a thought.

Hate to see a good paint job have issues from rushing things.

I bet it looks sweet.

Pics, pics, pics..... ......!!!!

lol

[Nessism]

I agree that it's best to get some clear down on the base coat before putting down the graphics. Most of the base coats want to be top coated within 24-48 hours, so that messes up the decale schedule. Once the first couple layers of clear harden, sand with 600, install the graphics, and then hit the part with a couple more layers of clear. If your last couple of layers lay down well, you are done.

[reddirtrider]

I'll give him a ring and see what he thinks of waiting another week.

In the meantime, I wanted to get 2 coats of clear down so I don't sand thru them when laying the decals. Can I apply a second coat of clear about 16 hours after the first without problems and without scuffing?

Your tank looks good Ed. Is that buffed out or are you just that good?

[Shin-Ken 1074]

Congratulations on a beautiful job on the black tank Ed. Thanks for the tip with finishing I hope mine turns out as well as that, cheers.

[Nessism]

I didn't touch the final clear on that tank. Just sanded the first couple of layers with 600, laid down the pinstripes, and shot two more layers on top. Good enough.

[reddirtrider]

Here's a pic of the tank after 4 coats of white.

[reddirtrider]

After 2 coats of pearl.

[reddirtrider]

After 1 coat of clear. Sorry about the resolution but I've tried to uplaod psics by using [IMG] path[/IMG] (without the space) and have never been successful. If I can ever figure it out I'll post better pics.

[Nessism]

Is that an '83 750ES? If so, I have extra paint you could have used. At any rate, looks good.

[reddirtrider]

Is that an '83 750ES? If so, I have extra paint you could have used. At any rate, looks good.

It is. It's really hard to tell from the pics what it really looks like. I gave everything a second coat of clear today so that I don't sand thru for the decals. I also put a 3rd coat on the fairing lowers. They don't have any decals.

I'm going to wait on the decals a bit. Here's what I'm thinking of a schedule.

Monday - 2 days after the clear I'm going to try to sand everything that needs decals.

Tuesday - Wet sand and polish the lower front fairings. That gives them 3 days aftwer the clear. This is to get an idea what everything will look like.

Wednesday - Apply the decals. This is 2 days after sanding and 4 after the clear.

Thursday morning - Apply the final coats of clear.

Friday - Bolt it all up for the trip to Chicago.

I'll polish it all in Chicago.

Does this sound like I'm giving it enough time?

I'll be bringing the Suzuki and my ZXR1200 along so we can go riding when I get there. If any of you are in the area and have some time, maybe you'd like to join us. I won't be there until Monday or Tuesday.