Any DIY/How-To's on painting fairings?
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From: Destroying turbo ITR motors in Minneapolis, MN, U.S.A.
Any DIY/How-To's on painting fairings?
If I end up picking up this bike, I'll have a set of fairings and tank that don't match. Since it's my first bike, I'd like to do a simple rattle-can paint job on the fairings, and I'm looking for suggestions on how to do so.
For example, what primer/sandpaper/paint/clear coat to use, how many coats of each, dry time, etc...
If anyone knows of any threads or articles on DIY painting for fairings, post em up!
For example, what primer/sandpaper/paint/clear coat to use, how many coats of each, dry time, etc...
If anyone knows of any threads or articles on DIY painting for fairings, post em up!
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From: NV
Re: Any DIY/How-To's on painting fairings? (boostincoupe)
I'll give you some info from my painting experience:
- Don't strip the paint off the tank. Just sand it down, and prime it a few times, sanding in-between coats.
- Don't use paint stripper on the plastics, it will eat the plastic.
- If you rattle can it, use a good clear. I didn't clear mine (flat black), and it still looks good, but it scratches off easily and gas spills mess it up a little. Not sure what a good clear would be though...
- I used "flexible parts" primer from NAPA on all the fairings. It's about $9 a can, and you'll need a few. Sand between coats, down to 220
- Spray the paint in a bunch of light coats. You want no runs, but make sure you spray enough so that it dries evenly and not too quickly. Sand lightly between coats, and work you way down to a 1000 or 1500 wet sand on the last few coats.
If you take your time and make sure it's all smooth, it will turn out looking pretty good for around $100 (paint, primer, sand paper....)
- Don't strip the paint off the tank. Just sand it down, and prime it a few times, sanding in-between coats.
- Don't use paint stripper on the plastics, it will eat the plastic.
- If you rattle can it, use a good clear. I didn't clear mine (flat black), and it still looks good, but it scratches off easily and gas spills mess it up a little. Not sure what a good clear would be though...
- I used "flexible parts" primer from NAPA on all the fairings. It's about $9 a can, and you'll need a few. Sand between coats, down to 220
- Spray the paint in a bunch of light coats. You want no runs, but make sure you spray enough so that it dries evenly and not too quickly. Sand lightly between coats, and work you way down to a 1000 or 1500 wet sand on the last few coats.
If you take your time and make sure it's all smooth, it will turn out looking pretty good for around $100 (paint, primer, sand paper....)
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From: DMV
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From: Off THE 60, Between THE 605 and THE 57
my rattlecan jobs haven't been all that nice, but good enough. the problem w/ rattle can jobs is that you can't get a proper clear coat in a can. a 2-part clear is only commercially available in a form that requires a compressor and gun to apply.
which means that flat color jobs are usually the best. it doesn't mean u can't use a rattle can clear, it just won't survive the first time you spill gas on the paint.
also, remember that prep is key to a good looking paint job. if you've got any gouges in the plastics, get some bondo and fill it in/sand before you get your primer coat on. i haven't used a flex primer for any of my paint jobs, and they've been ok, i generally use duplicolor primer, filler primer, and colors.
a really shiny appearance will depend on how much elbow grease you got. a good wet sand up to 2000 grit + rubbing compound should get the paint good and lustrous.
after painting my bike twice i decided to just go with flat white or flat black. then again it's a ratty track bike so i don't really care. whenever there's a stain on the paint, i just respray whatever color over the stain
which means that flat color jobs are usually the best. it doesn't mean u can't use a rattle can clear, it just won't survive the first time you spill gas on the paint.
also, remember that prep is key to a good looking paint job. if you've got any gouges in the plastics, get some bondo and fill it in/sand before you get your primer coat on. i haven't used a flex primer for any of my paint jobs, and they've been ok, i generally use duplicolor primer, filler primer, and colors.
a really shiny appearance will depend on how much elbow grease you got. a good wet sand up to 2000 grit + rubbing compound should get the paint good and lustrous.
after painting my bike twice i decided to just go with flat white or flat black. then again it's a ratty track bike so i don't really care. whenever there's a stain on the paint, i just respray whatever color over the stain
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