painting the tank and sides

[daveo]

Would it be possible to paint the undercoats in a non-catalyzed paint, and just put a top layer of catalyzed paint on? or would those be incompatable?

--Tyler

If 'undercoats' means primer, yes, just make sure it's compatible with your finish coat, I'm in the midst of painting one of my bikes now, using PPG CLV single stage urethane, great stuff but pricey, like $155 for 1 customcolor-mixed($25) quart of paint, hardener, reducer and accelerator, I shoot it myself

[argonsagas]

Would it be possible to paint the undercoats in a non-catalyzed paint, and just put a top layer of catalyzed paint on? or would those be incompatable?

--Tyler

Compatability is a key issue with paints.

Unless you know someone who uses the stuff professionally, the only way to know for sure is to ask the manufacturer(s) if the products you are considering are compatable.

The usual recommendation is to use products from one manufacturer., but that is not necessarily a guarantee, either.

As Doze has said, gasoline will attack many spray paints....I have to repaint my 1100G because of that. Colour went on well, and so did the clear coat, but it looks disgusting now that the gas ran back and bubbled the paint.

The advantage of catalyzed clearcoat is that most of them will shed gasoline. Or you can go straight for the best enamel IMRON, by Dupont.

Earlfor recommended it, and so did several people in auto paint shops that I talked to. I bought some, and have it in the garage, but spent my free time riding.

Note, please.

Catalyzed paints ALL need a closed area for painting, with an external vent. And you MUST wear the appropriate breathing mask.

These paints have toxic fumes and vapours.

[AOD]

post-revival here:

i have a pretty custom paint job and i recently replaced my lower fairing (belly pan, engine scoup). i've investigated some paint options...

to get a professional match, spray on type paint, it was $125 for the kit to paint.

instead, i used www.color-rite.com which sells factory color matched paints in air spray form, spray can type, touch up paint, etc. my paint isn't a factory color but its really close to the color of an 01 Suzuki Katana, so i just put an order in to try it. cost is about $60 for one can of spray paint, clearcoat, and degreaser.

its not as cheap as auto-paint in the store, but it gives you the option for matching color to something else you may have seen...even automobiles.

i will let you know my results...

~Adam

[wharrah]

Adam,

Let us know your results. I for one will be waiting with baited breath... (or is it bait-breath)...

I don't own the stuff necessary to try and do the catalyzed thing myself, although if I do this very many times I'll have spent hte $400 for compressor, sprayer, masks, other supplies and such to have paid for it already.

Every job seems to be much more complicated than one would first imagine.

Wayne

[Joe Nardy]

I had a local body guy spray my Suzuki tank with DuPont Imron, apply new stickers, and clear coat it, plus fix a dent, match color, and spray the damaged area on my Hurricane tank for $180. They both look perfect (check the link at the bottom of this post for pics of the bikes). Check around, tell them you're in no hurry and be sure to tell them you're paying CASH.

Another option is to find a buddy with a compressor and spray gun and let him/her spray it for you. Even if it turns out with defects you can usually make it look good with some sandpaper and patience. I had a fender painted on my RZ350 by a buddy who put the paint on too thick. It didn't have any runs but didn't look real good either. I started with 400 grit wet sandpaper and worked my way down to 1500 grit then polishing compound and wax. The fender looked at least as good as new when I finished.

The secrets to a good paint job are preparation, finishing, and patience.

Joe

[wharrah]

I have gone to several of the 'auto' repainters in town, and for some reason nobody wants to do this job... "too small" they say... I never hit them hard enough with the 'CASH' thing I guess.

I went to the local Suzuki/Harley dealership recently and asked them to recommend someone they would refer me to if they had a 'nice bike' (aka Harley is what I'm sure they thought I meant) they wanted painted... 8O

I have not yet gotten up the nerve to call the number I got. But, maybe I should. If I could find someone to do mine for under $200 I'd do it. Or, I guess I go and hit the garage sales and buy a compressor, the guns, the stuff, and start hacking on paint like all of us do on mechanics and electrics.

Seems a lot of trouble for a tank and two side panels, though.

Wayne

[Anonymous]

I have painted my honda cb200t with spray cans of the plasticote GM blue and spilled lots of fuel on the tank, and after 13 years there is still no paint defects. just spray and let cure real good in a heated room above 90 degrees, mine was done outside in New Mexico with daytime temps at 85 degrees. I've even painted an 84' T-Bird using $0.94 / can walmart special in Oklahoma summer temps and had no problems for the 5 years after before I totalled the car. the Key issue for any paint job is PATIENCE

[wharrah]

Thanks for the info on PlastiKote, Don.

Amazingly, I was emailed by one of the GSRESOURCES refugees who offered to do a professional job of painting my stuff. I have not heard back after an initial email to tell him what I was looking for, but, if he decides I'm a nut-case (which I hope I'm not), I can always do what you did.

Still, I have my 3 cans of PlastiKote paint, 3 cans of primer and 3 cans of clear coat ready if I have to bugbomb it. I'm glad to hear you didn't have any trouble. I have heard of heat-treating paints... I am wondering if I can put a heat-lamp over the tank to help it harden/dry better and cure? It may be months before the temps hit 90 here in GodItsColdIowa.

And, I am NOT in a hurry, as I can ride the bike with the dented blue tank I already have, so your Patience advise is well taken.

BTW, is the picture under your login name the bike you painted GM BLUE? Got any more pictures?

http://showcase.netins.net/web/waynespage/

Can't wait for the temps to come up...

[AOD]

hey wharrah, now is the ideal time to maybe try painting the bike yourself. at the least you will learn some things from it, and paint can always be redone, so why not give it a go yourself?

i've never painted anything important before....so i'm learning this as i go.

hopefully this weekend, i'll have my new fairing primed and sanded...ready for the good paint.

~Adam

[Dark Jedi]

hey wharrah, now is the ideal time to maybe try painting the bike yourself. at the least you will learn some things from it, and paint can always be redone, so why not give it a go yourself?

i've never painted anything important before....so i'm learning this as i go.

hopefully this weekend, i'll have my new fairing primed and sanded...ready for the good paint.

~Adam

This may seem obvious to some, but good advice to the new painter.

After sanding between coats (Including primer), wash it! Rinse well, let dry.

[Anonymous]

no this is my 750 that my brother had professionally painted the same gm blue before he shipped it to germany.

[Anonymous]

Wharrah, do you still have the Yamaha, and is it still for sale?

Harrison

[Evil Hobbit]

Where is the paint color number hidden on these bikes? Is it on the plate with the tire pressure?

[Dink]

the paint codes are on the parts fiche at your nearest dealer. they are not on the bike.
Dink

[AOD]

well i am reporting back. i followed the instructions on the GS Garage Painting paper, and the Color-Rite instructions. My new fairing looks pretty good, and it's very close to the right color.

I'm definitly not the most patient person, but I think it turned out okay for a spray paint job. I will post some pictures when i get my server back up and running...and get the fairing on the bike. It looks like that may not happen this weekend.

I ordered another can of the color matched paint from Color-Rite as well...i'm going to paint a few more things that need some touch up work.

~Adam