Painting a GS 1000 L tank and side covers.. lotsa pics

[exdirtbiker]

More progress... I think I'ld call it "respectable"... but far from perfect.
As I feared, now it's really obvious the rest of the bike needs to get more attention. It remains "a ten footer".
Overall, I'm pretty happy, since this was my first-ever painting adventure.




-- I have not yet used wax or scratch n swirl remover --



My supervisor keeping from slackin' ...

[exdirtbiker]

After wax w/ Meguiar's NXT

I knew I shoulda fixed that...

Everything I needed for this. plus elbow grease and time.

[exdirtbiker]

Yep, sure is. see the -0306 in the part number? That means they are 3mm diameter, 6mm long.

.

2 of them are rusted, barely functional.
other 2 are wood screws !!! GAAHHH !!!

[almarconi]

How resistant to gasoline is that duplicolor clear? I've used their clear engine paint and it did not hold up to gas very well.

[exdirtbiker]

How resistant to gasoline is that duplicolor clear? I've used their clear engine paint and it did not hold up to gas very well.

Actually.... I have no idea.
Alot of people told me ANY laquer should "be fine". This stuff is acrylic laquer.
I will be sure I keep a "slop rag" in the Vetter to wipe away any drips when I fill the tank, and hope it holds up.

If not, I'll wait until next year and do it again with a spray gun and -real- paint.

[Matt-Indiana]

For a 1st time rattle-can job it looks great. The real work in a great paint job that most people mess up on is the surface prep.....spraying is the easy part. Looks like you did a really good job with getting it ready for paint. Be proud of your work, you did a very good job.

[Flyboy]

Looking good, nice shine on there.

[exdirtbiker]

Thanks !
Heading to the garage tonight to see if it still runs.
And the Mrs. agreed to buy me a new clutch for my B-day.

[exdirtbiker]

How resistant to gasoline is that duplicolor clear? I've used their clear engine paint and it did not hold up to gas very well.

And the verdict is....:
the very first time I put gas in the tank, I spilled a few tiny drops onto the new paint, and it ate the paint. instantly. in less then 5 seconds.
My neighbors just heard something like "CHUUUUUCK !!!"... but different... all across the neighborhood.

Also, I put the charger on the battery yesterday to make sure it was RTG for today. It was on "manual"... It's bone-dry. Yes, I boiled the battery dry.
It's a bad day to be Pete.
To quote Daffy: "shoot me now !!! shoot me now !!! "

[exdirtbiker]

I re-filled the dry battery with distilled water.
charged it for 15 mins. maybe less. Pulled 5 amps, then faded quick.
when the needle seemed to bottom out, I put the battery back into the beast.
It seems stronger than last week ???!!!
Bike started almost instantly.

[almarconi]

the very first time I put gas in the tank, I spilled a few tiny drops onto the new paint, and it ate the paint. instantly. in less then 5 seconds.

You may want to use an automotive clear coat. Here is a link for a 2k clear
in a spray can if you don't have a gun/compressor.

http://www.repaintsupply.com/pd_2_part_2k_aerosol.cfm

I would wet sand off the clear you applied and then use the 2k clear. Probably could get your entire project done with 2 cans.