Anyone tried their hand at painting?

[KIPS powervalve]

I have just acquired an 87 GN250 as a project. I'd like to have a go at painting the tank and wheel spokes. Any thoughts on good products, methods, or just handy tips? Primers, etching primers, lacquer, vinyl, enamel...my head starts to spin

Colour scheme will probably end up being cream on black in one form or another

[ruaphu]

You tube, covers a ton of info ;)


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[Waihou Thumper]

my head starts to spin



And you haven't even inhaled the vapours yet...:clap:
No hope for you then with this project...:)

[R650R]

How good a finish do you want, will probably be cheaper to pay someone to do it.
Its all in the preparation though, lots of elbow grease sanding before hand etc and removing any dents etc.
I'm doing up an old classic moped, had got good results with small supercheap auto spraygun and small compressor (you really need quite a large one for painting though) and some primer and paint from Mega10.
I just hang it off the clothesline outside, spray then take it into shed before too much crap lands on the wet paint and worked out ok so far.
You really need a good mask, you don't want aerosolised hyrdrocarbons in your lungs or eyes.

[Woodman]

Preparation. What may appear to be a good smooth unpainted surface will only reveal itself as a crap surface after the paint has dried.

Thats my experience anyway.

[mossy1200]

My wheels are being powder coated at the moment.
My tank and tail is being painted next.

Easier to earn some money and pay for a good finish than struggle away and end up with a poor result.
Maybe if you have the gear and the experience then all good but if your asking advice im thinking average paint job pending.

[KIPS powervalve]

How good a finish do you want, will probably be cheaper to pay someone to do it.


It's a GN250. Crickey, a pro paint job costs what... $600? The bike's only worth that even if I did pay more. I have a mid-small compressor from Supercheap, and dad has all the gear (gun etc) for his old Triumph.

[Akzle]

600$???
i'll do it for 1500.


wait until the wife is out.

preheat your parts in the oven on it's lowest setting for days.

get some good 2 pack. colourpro in onehunga, just by the northbound onramp to the southern carpark.

make sure there is no water or oil in your air lines/receiver.

i always mix slightly less hardener.

get a paint ODOUR respirator, proper charcoal /or carbon paper.

work in positive air pressure.

use a gravity feed gun with small tips (!! <1.8mm)

test paint some other shit first to get your hand and eye in. it's fucking easy, but it's also easy to fuck up.

start further away than you've probably been told to, and sweep quickly, it's easier to add more paint than remove it.

sweep with your arm not your wrist - keeping the dose of paint going on even.

fuck spokes, srsly.

external corners are easier than internal ones (ie outside of tank is easy compared to inside of rim)

pics or it never happened.
also, titty pics from the wife for KB approval.

[Oakie]

Give it a go. When I was 19 a friend and I did my CB125. Just hired a compressor with paint gun and let rip. Come up really good. 'Electric Blue'. Lovely colour. Good prep and a bit of practice before you start is half the battle.


also, titty pics from the wife for KB approval. Feck. that's the first time I've ever agreed with a post of Akzle's

[pete-blen]

I put paint on things all the time... "trucks"
If theres one thing I have learnt.... I suck at it...:mad:
But I am pretty good at the texture finishs...:rolleyes:

[Akzle]

I put paint on things all the time... "trucks"
If theres one thing I have learnt.... I suck at it...:mad:
But I am pretty good at the texture finishs...:rolleyes:

too much air and too close, sounds like your paint is bouncing.

[R650R]

It's a GN250. Crickey, a pro paint job costs what... $600? The bike's only worth that even if I did pay more. I have a mid-small compressor from Supercheap, and dad has all the gear (gun etc) for his old Triumph.

If its a shitter then you may as well just use aerosol cans, you can get some good results on small jobs with them.

[mossy1200]

You just motivated me.
Still not doing the tank and tail though.

[Laava]

If its a shitter then you may as well just use aerosol cans, you can get some good results on small jobs with them.

You can get a great job with aerosol cans, just make sure you get a good quality rattle can and try to do the painting in a warm and breeze free environment. Big tip, heat the item up with a heat gun first till it is almost too hot to hold. Fuel tanks are for the brave person with a rattle can.

[R650R]

You can get a great job with aerosol cans, just make sure you get a good quality rattle can and try to do the painting in a warm and breeze free environment. Big tip, heat the item up with a heat gun first till it is almost too hot to hold. Fuel tanks are for the brave person with a rattle can.

In Soviet Hawke's Bay we just hang items in direct sunlight to preheat :)

When the small Tamiya cans got to ridiculous prices I started using normal aerosol cans for some projects. Certainly get very good results.

[KIPS powervalve]

Thanks for the support re rattlers. I can half a can of black caliper paint from my car that I was thinking of doing the spokes in (high gloss black, resistant to brake dust etc). Only thing is it's really runny, like spraying water. Thin coats and lots of time between each one. Been working on forks today. This makes me realise that the paint job is a long way off yet. Months. Possibly more. :soon:

[Tazz]

Piece of piss after a few beers.


305673

Just watch the overspray. Wasn't enough to worry about but I got a little on the rear tyre that time.

[Swoop]

But I am pretty good at the texture finishs...:rolleyes:
They are called "non-skid" finishes.
Sadly that quote came from a professional sprayer.:facepalm:

Thanks for the support re rattlers. I can half a can of black caliper paint from my car that I was thinking of doing the spokes in (high gloss black, resistant to brake dust etc). Only thing is it's really runny, like spraying water. Thin coats and lots of time between each one. Been working on forks today. This makes me realise that the paint job is a long way off yet. Months. Possibly more. :soon:
Autopaint at 159 Central Park Drive, Henderson (quite literally just off of the motorway) are good to talk to. Also they can match paint colours and supply in a tin or an aerosol if you want (of the proper lacquer paint)!:woohoo:

[jonbuoy]

Don't use single stage rattle can paint on the tank - first dribble of petrol will ruin the paint unless it's been clearcoated with a 2 part clearcoat (separate hardener). U Pol do a rattle can clearcoat that is supposedly petrol resistant.

You can buy two pack rattle cans now - there is a separate chamber of hardener at the bottom of the can - you pull a tab to mix the two and then spray. Get a disposable spray mask for isocyanates I think 3M do them. You really don't want that stuff in your eyes or lungs. It's amazing how many of these TV shows you see where the guys painting a whole car are using just a disposable filter - nowhere near enough protection.

[mossy1200]

The results.

Bit of dust from garage sweeping showing in photos.

[SNF]

Done my whole bike in single pack lacquer cans apart from the headlight fairing which I'm still making. I used proper automotive colorpak paint. It has the odd defect here and there but overall its holding up well. Check my sig photo's before and after. I have spilled petrol on the tank, but I don't recommend pouring it on. If you are hasty in wiping it off its won't ruin it.

[DODO``]

I have just acquired an 87 GN250 as a project. I'd like to have a go at painting the tank and wheel spokes. Any thoughts on good products, methods, or just handy tips? Primers, etching primers, lacquer, vinyl, enamel...my head starts to spin

Colour scheme will probably end up being cream on black in one form or another

I used to work as a panel beater.

and here's my tip.

If this is your first time doing this and you want the finish like new, get someone to do it.

If you really want to try it then do following:

use 800 sand paper and rub the surface until the reflection disappears.

sand sand sand with 1200 wet sand paper. and if you think you have finished preping, grab yourself 1200 wet sand paper again and do more prep ;)

prime it.

1200 wet sand.. again again again

paint with colour. let it dry. <- do this 3 times.

wait until the colour drys completely.

paint with clear coat let it dry. <- do this 2 times

Dry for 1 week. (do not use shit supercheap $4 paint)

Grab 1200 wet sand paper again and sand very lightly only on the areas you are not happy with. Make sure you dont sand through the clear coat layer.
Grab a compound and a cloth.

Rub like you never rubbed before until you get that finish.

and then realize you don't have the talent to do the job yourself. cover it will some plasti-dip and regret working on your bodywork while drinking lots of Miller Lite.

The last step is to take it to the shop and repaint the tank in the color of your choice.