GS 1000 Repaint

[Guest]

Gonna repaint the 1978 GS1000 I recently picked up and figured I'd post the progress and results here, just to get some feed back and keep the work on track. It's currently got a purple ghost flame paint scheme that was done by the PO who used duplicolor rattle cans for the base coat with a hardened clear over. That's the same process I plan on using, with the final clear coat using 2K Eastwood. Since the paint that's currently on there isn't in terrible shape I'm planning on just sanding it thoroughly to prepare it for a layer of primer, followed by the color coat and then the final 2k.

The paint is going to be shot outside so I'm trying to think of ways to minimize debris getting into the paint while it's being shot/ drying. The tank, tail piece, and side covers are all going to get done. I'd definitely like to hear any ideas or suggestions you guys have about materials, techniques or tips on getting a decent finish from a backyard rattle can special. Certainly I'm not expecting to get professional results but I'm willing to put in the time and effort to make it as nice as possible.

Hopefully it warms up soon so I can start work, currently its about 20 degrees outside with snow on its way. I'll post some pics soon so some before and after comparisons can eventually be made

[Nessism]

I'd strip it down to bare metal first thing. That's the only way you are going to know what's going on down below. You can keep film build down that way too which will improve chip resistance. Once it's stripped you can take care of any rust and body repair.

Eastwood sells rattle can catalyzed epoxy and high build primer if you don't have a spray gun. I'd go that way if possible. These paints are not cheap but the durability will be better than cheaper rattle can paints.

[trevor]

That’s way too much work to read... try using a paragraph one in a while. Lol

[dorkburger]

Some good tips in these recent threads.
Probably have to go back several pages on this one.

https://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?235697-1984-Katana-7-11

https://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?231050-78-GS-750-Rebuild&highlight=

[Constant Velocity]

So in the case of going down to bare metal, I know that the PO used bondo on the tank so would this effect being able to use paint stripper? I'm concerned that the bondo would soak it up and screw up the paint in the future. And the Bondo was used fill in the area where the screw recesses were for the tank badges, so I doubt it'd be possible to get it all out except for if the tank was media blasted.

Apologies for the erroneous syntax Trevor, has been edited for easier reading haha

[Nessism]

Paint stripper will ruin bondo. Maybe do the whole tank other than the badge plate areas then? You can sand down the rest.

[Big T]

I'd use a plastic paint stripping wheel on a drill to remove the paint if you're worried about using a chemical stripper.
Available at any home center or hardware store

Are you saying that it's a 78 tank and the entire indent is filled with Bondo?

[Constant Velocity]

To my knowledge it's just the indents/ screw holes on the sides of the tank where the badges mount that has been filled in. Also it's not a 78 tank, I believe it's either from a 1100 or 850. If the paint is left on the underside of the tank will it affect the adhesion of the new paint where the new will overlap with the old? In other words is it necessary to strip the entire tank or just the top side?

[nvr2old]

You can mask off the underside of the tank as long as the rest of it is sanded really well. Just sand it to where the seams end and you should be fine. Personally, I would take the extra hour needed and sand (or strip) the entire tank so the new paint "wraps" the entire tank in new paint with no paint lines to peel back in the future.

[red1100]

My local paint store will put any color you want in a spray can. I just did my 82 Seca 750 tank,side covers,front fender and rear tailpiece which took 3 cans plus two clear. Came out very nice. Sprayed in my shop with the doors open.