Fresh paint

[IanDMacDonald]

Well, I agree with you if he has the money to blow. For some, $400 is slightly lower than what some have paid for their bikes. For me, most expensive purchase was the wet/dry sandpaper and the Spraymax 2K @ $20. I used large can of Rustoleum paint at whatever the price was. Total for everything was under $50.

[mrhammer2u]

Well, I agree with you if he has the money to blow. For some, $400 is slightly lower than what some have paid for their bikes. .

LOL....true.

OP, which direction you going to go? You have the pro's and con's for a few of us. It was fun trying to do it myself and I may try it again. Although I do miss the $750 from my wallet,..the pro paint job I have now was worth it,...for me. It's not a rat bike.

[mrhammer2u]

I may have to recant my opinion..... I'm going to give painting a bike ONE more try...lol. This time I sanded the tank down to bare metal. Instead of buying supplies at Pep Boys I'm going to the local body shop supply store where they can make any paint they use in aerosol form. Cost 3x as much but hopefully goes on right the 1st time.

Wish me luck!!

Looks like OP doesn;t like us.....

[Bergman16]

I'm going to be watching your results carefully. When I dinged my tank I decided to watch for deals on tanks and side covers and paint myself a new set in fake New Ruby Red (Ford Dark Toreador Red) for fun. I'm going to do one side cover all the way to see what I think of it. If I don't like it, will have a body shop I like up in Woodstock spray them. Either way I'm hoping to do the prep myself as a learning experience...

I got a really good deal on a tank from the guy who had the '79 special up in CT. So I'll be watching your progress...

[mrhammer2u]

Hey Berg. I'm already out $32 and that's just for 2 cans of primer. Like I said,...doing it with the BEST products this time. Will post progress pics.

[Bergman16]

Yeah no matter what, it adds up. I have to remind myself that since I'm new to most of this, to take the long view and learn something. Like with the tank and covers, I was patient and found a spare carb set almost free with just enough problems that I can take my time and learn something and not mess with my running bike set.

We will see how many of those cheap Mikuni jets from the other thread I will need as I try my first disassembly! At least I have JIS drivers...

[IanDMacDonald]

Yeah no matter what, it adds up. I have to remind myself that since I'm new to most of this, to take the long view and learn something. Like with the tank and covers, I was patient and found a spare carb set almost free with just enough problems that I can take my time and learn something and not mess with my running bike set.

We will see how many of those cheap Mikuni jets from the other thread I will need as I try my first disassembly! At least I have JIS drivers...

Those JIS screwdrivers may not be much aid with the soft metal you're up against. Anticipate some PB Blaster, dremeled straight-slots, and use of a impact screwdriver to free them, then replace them with some metric SHCS's.

[Bergman16]

Thanks, fingers crossed.

Back to paint, anyone who's gone whole hog on the Dark Red Toureador in Duplicolor for a whole tank and covers I'd be interested in how it turned out. Plan to use the good urethane clear coat as noted above.

Rob, I stole your thread...

[clcorbin]

Keep in mind if you already own an air compressor, a decent (not great, but usable and MUCH better than any paint can) HVLP paint gun isn't that expensive. And proper catalyzed paint in a can is a LOT cheaper than paint can paint (for the same paint of course).

Given the age of the factory paint, don't even THINK of painting over it. Go to bare metal or you will regret it. And THEN you will go to bare metal...

When I painted my bike a few years ago, one thing I did that DEFINITELY paid for itself was to use some scrap metal tubing and make a stand I could bolt to the floor that the tank would mount to just like the bike. Because the tank was being support by the tank mounts, I could get to all tank easily, especially the show surfaces. I think it was a 1 1/2" or 1 1/4" tube that would perfectly fit the factory "C" brackets on the front of the tank.

Good luck!

[madmax-im]

When Randy redid Swampthing back in '03 or so he rattle canned the red paint on the tank,side covers and rear cowling...and had someone do pinstriping as well...the paint looks excellent from 10 feet away and it looked very good for a number of years prior to when I got it but by then you could see how crackled the paint had become on the tank...and rattle can paint is not gasoline resistant ...as we all know..now so it is time to respray but I am considering taking it to some pros' locally and reccomended by friends...A real professional paint job should last the rest of my lifetime and then some....

[IanDMacDonald]

Again, hate to beat a dead horse, but not many paints are gasoline-resistant, it's the clear coat that matters. And, the Spraymax 2K is the bees knees when it comes to gas resistance. You can buy a handle for an aerosol can for a dollar to mimick a HVLP gun. PREP, PREP, PATIENCE, and PREP is key.

[Gmac]

I figure that

for $400.00 you can get a good jump on the tools you use to spray small parts. I wouldn't attempt to do anything large like a car with a small tank compressor but bike parts are a breeze.

I plan on spraying my special because the PO DID use rattlecan with all the sags, runs, drips, dirt and fisheye's that you couldn't see in pictures but scream at you when you are looking at it in daylight. Black is the most unforgiving color to spray and he, or the person that sprayed it, made every mistake in the book.

[DeanR]

When Randy redid Swampthing back in '03 or so he rattle canned the red paint on the tank,side covers and rear cowling...and had someone do pinstriping as well...

Don't forget those spiffy red carbs!

[mrhammer2u]

Berg,
Here are some progress picks. I went to local auto body supply shop and bought these primers. You may not find this brand but if it's for a body shop, it's good stuff. So far the primer is great....it's the final product that I'm concerned with... Will post those pics once I think my prep is perfect. Wish I had a clean room

Bare metal tank. I sanded it down with a DA sander and 60 grit paper. Used aircraft stripper for the nooks and crannies like where the badge goes and the edges.


After spraying primer


When dry looks great! Really filled in the scratches from sand paper.


Getting ready for 600 grit wet sand. Little dish soap in the water to make the sand paper glide.


Side panels. Removed badges and bondo the holes


Flexible primer


Will post more pics when I have them.

[IanDMacDonald]

Hmm. Two different colored primers. Curious to see if that'll have an effect on the final color.