Paint your carbs?

[old_skool]

I've heard of people painting their carbs and some even say not too. Who here has and have some pics of their finished products, whats the pros and cons. I'm going to try soda blasting mine, I'm polishing the bowls and vacuum covers, but not sure which way I want to go with the bodies. Is there a special type of paint? what kind of prep would be needed? Thanks! Really looking forward to seeing someone elses results.

[natemoen]

The midnight special carbs came black from the factory, so it is possible.

Prep would be no different than any other aloy paint prep work. Obviously you would need some paint that was gas proof but I would probably go with powder coating if I were going to do it personally.

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Carbs

I detail paint mine, the bodies and trim, then polish the tops and bowls and use new S/S hardware. Yamaha coated the carbs on the MNS so I don't see a problem, just mask off "EVERYTHING" you don't want paint on / in

I've heard of people painting their carbs and some even say not too. Who here has and have some pics of their finished products, whats the pros and cons. I'm going to try soda blasting mine, I'm polishing the bowls and vacuum covers, but not sure which way I want to go with the bodies. Is there a special type of paint? what kind of prep would be needed? Thanks! Really looking forward to seeing someone elses results.

[old_skool]

Nice detail work, how/what technique did you use to clean those carbs so well...or is that silver paint?

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Carb paint

And , yes, the top braces are on backward in the pic's, I turned them around befrore install Use a light coat of self-etching primer, then two light top coats of the color of you like with a good motor paint. I clear coated the polished parts to keep from tarnishing

[bikerphil]

I paint mine with a small brush and high temp silver when they are on the bike. I just do the outer two that are visible. They look pretty good and are easy to touch up (5 minutes). Yeah I know the top screws are rusty, they have SS now.

[old_skool]

And , yes, the top braces are on backward in the pic's, I turned them around before install Use a light coat of self-etching primer, then two light top coats of the color of you like with a good motor paint. I clear coated the polished parts to keep from tarnishing

I noticed they start to tarnish pretty fast after polishing them, I was thinking of using Mothers aluminum polish afterwards, but the clear coat would be a lot easier and less follow up maintenance, how does it hold up?

[DAVINCI]

I went a completely different direction. Duplicolor Metalcast. It's a two-part coating. I think they have three or four colors. No problems with fuel, but then my carbs don't leak . The stuff does chip easily, though. It's more brittle than any other paint I've ever used.

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Clear

I like it especialy on the carbs because they are a PIA to get too to wax, they lose a little of the "chrome" look, but here close to the beach in Florida, the "chrome look" doesn't last long Eastwood has one just for bare metal, but others might work just as well I did my whole motor case covers also, here is how it looked, this was before carb, valve cover, tank & sidecover paint


This is after carb paint

You would be suprised how many complament on the carbs, especialy when I tell them the bike is 33 years old

http://www.eastwood.com/ew-diamond-clear-gloss-bare-metal-aero-11-oz.html

I noticed they start to tarnish pretty fast after polishing them, I was thinking of using Mothers aluminum polish afterwards, but the clear coat would be a lot easier and less follow up maintenance, how does it hold up?

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Davinci & Phill

Nice work to both Davinci and Phil I love seeing these antiques looking better then some guys two year old bikes

[crazy steve]

I'm a powdercoat user....

[IMG][/IMG]

... but this requires complete disassembly of the carbs to do.

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Brass plugs

What did you use for those brass looking plugs, NICE

I went a completely different direction. Duplicolor Metalcast. It's a two-part coating. I think they have three or four colors. No problems with fuel, but then my carbs don't leak . The stuff does chip easily, though. It's more brittle than any other paint I've ever used.

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Bits and pieces

Here are all the bits and pieces painted and back on the bike, and yes, it does need washed and detailed

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

1979 again

From a distance, you would almost think it is 1979 again How I wish it were true Nostalgia

[DAVINCI]

What did you use for those brass looking plugs, NICE

oh, man, you wouldn't believe me if i told you

Thumbtacks