Check out my new paint job

[RichV]

Just got these back from the painters. It was the closest match to "Cardinal Red (CDR)" I could find. If it's off, screw it, they look great. Yes, I smoothed over the emblem mounts. Gives me more options.

[Radioguylogs]

You have to be happy with that.

What type/brand of paint do the "professionals" use?

Probably a two-part urethane, base coat + clear coat system?

Do you know if they wet sand it?

[RichV]

Yes but I can't remember the brand he used.

[mrhammer2u]

Looks great. But without the emblems you need a little flavor. Maybe racing stripe? Or something more subtle like a flaming dragon and a wizard doing battle?

[Prisoner6]

You have to be happy with that.

What type/brand of paint do the "professionals" use?

Indeed ... what Mike said.

Rich, it looks like your painter did a really nice job!

And I, too, am curious about which brand of paint was used.

[jetmechmarty]

I think the no badge solid color look is going to be great! I'm not a fan of clutter. The Special tank looks great on its own. Some small tuning fork badges or small YAMAHA might be the only thing I'd consider. I can't wait to see it up close and personal at XSSE!

[RichV]

I haven't decided if I'll do anything yet. I may just put emblems on with tape. Either way, I've got time.

I'll try to find out the paint and mix.

[dbeardslee]

Looks real nice. Reminds me that I have to get going on some painting myself.

[MaximPhil]

hi Rich looks great. Red is the fast colour
While the flaming dragon sounds wonderful if it were mine i would just do a small Tuning forks or YAMAHA decal / sticker/vinyl graphic on the tank.
Special on the side covers or a pinstripe. Or just leave it plain
As always. It is your bike...do what you want
Phil

[Rasputin]

Just got these back from the painters. It was the closest match to "Cardinal Red (CDR)" I could find. If it's off, screw it, they look great. Yes, I smoothed over the emblem mounts. Gives me more options.

Just wondering why you went to all the trouble of matching the paint while avoiding the emblems. Seems like a total waste to me. Might as well have painted it Ferrari red for all it matters now. Maybe just my opinion but I doubt it.

[RichV]

Just wondering why you went to all the trouble of matching the paint while avoiding the emblems. Seems like a total waste to me. Might as well have painted it Ferrari red for all it matters now. Maybe just my opinion but I doubt it.

I have two tanks and both are usable as tanks but damaged on the outside. The one with the least damage had a bad emblem mount and the PO had filled it in. At the suggestion of the painter, who restores antique vehicles, we "finished" the fill in. The reasoning is that double sided tape can be used to reinstall the emblems if I wanted them. The same is true for the side panels.

I didn't have the emblems so we started out nude and I kind of like the clean look. I search eBay daily looking for well maintained parts to upgrade the bike.

Why did I work at matching the paint? Because it was a challenge. Also, I did candy it up a bit more than the original.

This bike isn't going to look like it's straight off the show room in 81. It's going to look very well maintained and true to it's origins and style. If I was concerned about that I would not have put Harley mufflers on it.

So from that point of view, mainly mine, it wasn't a waste of time.

[bikerphil]

I looks real good bro, that's all that matters, it's your bike.

[MPittma100]

Paint

I have two tanks and both are usable as tanks but damaged on the outside. The one with the least damage had a bad emblem mount and the PO had filled it in. At the suggestion of the painter, who restores antique vehicles, we "finished" the fill in. The reasoning is that double sided tape can be used to reinstall the emblems if I wanted them. The same is true for the side panels.

I didn't have the emblems so we started out nude and I kind of like the clean look. I search eBay daily looking for well maintained parts to upgrade the bike.

Why did I work at matching the paint? Because it was a challenge. Also, I did candy it up a bit more than the original.

This bike isn't going to look like it's straight off the show room in 81. It's going to look very well maintained and true to it's origins and style. If I was concerned about that I would not have put Harley mufflers on it.

So from that point of view, mainly mine, it wasn't a waste of time.

I painted a perfectly red 1978E black in 1982 cause I wanted to. Replaced all of the Yamaha emblems with new ones. I would do it again, I think?

[Bikes]

Nice...red is my favorite color and the fasest.....

[BowlingSS]

Looks great. How much did it set you back? I would love to get mine done after I clean out the old liner that is coming apart.

Bill