How many cans will it take to paint the whole bike?

[racingtothecafe]

Looking to paint the whole bike: engine, frame, tank, forks, fenders, rims and calipers.

I'm trying to get an idea of cost. Hence looking for input from someone who has done a paint job recently and can tell me how many cans do I expect to go through.

Alternately I do have spray paint equipment but I'm not very confident with the mixing required and I've read horror stories about what happens if you don't get the mix right, unlike a spray can which is just point and paint.

However if there is a significant difference in price and durability (ie cheaper and more durable - with my skills, there's unlikely to be much difference in quality) I might be persuaded to risk the spray gun.

Chur.

[Erelyes]

Looking to paint the whole bike: engine, frame, tank, forks, fenders, rims and calipers.

I'm trying to get an idea of cost. Hence looking for input from someone who has done a paint job recently and can tell me how many cans do I expect to go through.

Alternately I do have spray paint equipment but I'm not very confident with the mixing required and I've read horror stories about what happens if you don't get the mix right, unlike a spray can which is just point and paint.

However if there is a significant difference in price and durability (ie cheaper and more durable - with my skills, there's unlikely to be much difference in quality) I might be persuaded to risk the spray gun.

Chur.

I did 7-8 cans of color on my fully faired bike recently, painting just the fairings. That wasn't enough. Tiger striping in the metallic still evident.

But that's cos I used a metallic, which was a bit dumb. If I did it again I'd do a solid color. If you do solid color I think the above number would be enough.

You'll want a higher-temp stuff on calipers and maybe rims.

You then have 2-3 to do clearcoat as well, though.

Durability will be negligible between rattlecans and using a sprayer yourself. If you want better durability, you need 2K paint, and that means a proper spray-booth with air-breathing apparatuses etc, or you'll fuck your lungs / CNS / get ALL the cancers.

Rims will take a beating so may pay to leave them, or get a pro to do em.

[AllanB]

Do you have a shop in Dunners that will supply the colour you want in a can with vehicle grade paint?

In CHCH we have The Spraystore and one other I cannot think of. They will colour match and fill a decent sized can with quality paint. I've used their paints successfully on custom parts I've made and they have held up very well. Cans have a really nice nozzle as well that puts out a splat free nice spray (unlike many of the Bunnings/Mitre10 style ones).

[sidecar bob]

You'll want a higher-temp stuff on calipers and maybe rims.


Fuck me, how fast are you planning to ride this thing?

[Erelyes]

Do you have a shop in Dunners that will supply the colour you want in a can with vehicle grade paint?

Rainbow paints does.

[ellipsis]

Rainbow paints does.

...he was thinking of one colour...

[Kornholio]

Cue: Jimmy-White Trash.....

[White trash]

Cue: Jimmy-White Trash.....

I recently repainted my daughters VTR250 with a fairly decent finish with rattle cans. It's a fuckload more prep work and finishing work than you might think. I used two can of plastic etch primer and two cans of standard primer and then probably five cans of acrylic colour and almost three cans of acrylic clear. Rattle cans seem to offer a fairly rough top coat finish so be prepared to flatten it with a really fine wet and dry before the clear, and then possibly after the clear and then a really good polish to bring the shine back to it.

Or, if you're any sort of real bloke, you'll just grab five cans of engine enamel, matt black and spray the hole cunting thing. No masking allowed.

[RGVforme]

Reminds me of a Boyracer on a budget I seen outside supercheap once Matt blacking out his civic with spray cans.

Doing it proper newspaper and tape on the windows ect...When he would run a can out he would just pop back into the shop and buy another hell bent on not buying more than what he needed.I reckon he was there all afternoon.

A special breed those guys....:weird:...

Agree still a lot of prep work for a good finish either way and still looking at a shed load of cans to do a bike.

[Akzle]

dont be a foggot.
git your ass a couple of shitter compressors and a badass grav spray gun and go tupac. or your a bitch.

[AllanB]

If you are going compressor the cheap ones are crap for painting. And if buying a gun the same - better of making the commitment and getting good stuff that will do a good job and last. Or punch out the best ever rattle can job and impress your mates.

[Akzle]

If you are going compressor the cheap ones are crap for painting. And if buying a gun the same - better of making the commitment and getting good stuff that will do a good job and last. Or punch out the best ever rattle can job and impress your mates.

two shitter compressors tied together will run most guns. While yes, i fully advocate 3cylinder belt drive 200lt receiver compressors, they're just not feasible for bitches.

And i never said a crap gun. I believe the adjective was "badass".

[nodrog]

..... how many cans do I expect to go through.

......

about 14, its a pretty good idea to only drink about 4 before starting.

[RGVforme]

about 14, its a pretty good idea to only drink about 4 before starting.

What?....But huffing 4 cans of spray before you start makes the colors brighter....:laugh:

[Erelyes]

Fuck me, how fast are you planning to ride this thing?

Forget I said it. Go ahead and paint your calipers in something standard. And then if the paint flakes off, go and buy another can of something actually designed to withstand heat and repaint em again.

[sidecar bob]

Forget I said it. Go ahead and paint your calipers in something standard. And then if the paint flakes off, go and buy another can of something actually designed to withstand heat and repaint em again.

I have race bikes with standard paint on the calipers and engine with no issues. as for the wheels, heatproof will stop the paint burning off on re entry.
I think most people seriously underestimate the temp standard paint will handle.

[AllanB]

I have race bikes with standard paint on the calipers and engine with no issues. as for the wheels, heatproof will stop the paint burning off on re entry.
I think most people seriously underestimate the temp standard paint will handle.

I'm with the above - provided you have purchased a quality vehicle paint it will be fine on motorcycle calipers - most blistering of paint is poor prep.

And 'yes' I have actually painted some :2thumbsup

[actungbaby]

I did 7-8 cans of color on my fully faired bike recently, painting just the fairings. That wasn't enough. Tiger striping in the metallic still evident.

But that's cos I used a metallic, which was a bit dumb. If I did it again I'd do a solid color. If you do solid color I think the above number would be enough.

You'll want a higher-temp stuff on calipers and maybe rims.

You then have 2-3 to do clearcoat as well, though.

Durability will be negligible between rattlecans and using a sprayer yourself. If you want better durability, you need 2K paint, and that means a proper spray-booth with air-breathing apparatuses etc, or you'll fuck your lungs / CNS / get ALL the cancers.

Rims will take a beating so may pay to leave them, or get a pro to do em.

HI sorry for butting in when you say clear coat i was going to use a auto motive lacear ( i shit i cant speel ) as i got a xr 200 frame sand blasted and guy used a can to spray the bike but it chiped of in a few places was going to

get either a spary can or i got tin of my dads aotomotive laquear . i used to brass plate and dip the light fittings in a bath of the stuff but i forgot what the boss used to thin it down as was like 30 years ago . assume thinners

cheers . oh ps am thinking of trying painting abs fairings do you neeed special primer ?

[actungbaby]

dont be a foggot.
git your ass a couple of shitter compressors and a badass grav spray gun and go tupac. or your a bitch.

i was going to try my spary unit cheap one i got for fre with my compressor you rekon go for it ;-)

Only trouble is my garage has no power so i use a extension cord from the house says on my compressor thats a big nono as power surges or not consistant power. i use the comp in the spare room

but not going spray paint in there fumes be dangerous plus wife kill me

[Big Dog]

i was going to try my spary unit cheap one i got for fre with my compressor you rekon go for it ;-)

Only trouble is my garage has no power so i use a extension cord from the house says on my compressor thats a big nono as power surges or not consistant power. i use the comp in the spare room

but not going spray paint in there fumes be dangerous plus wife kill me
So run a long hose out to your garage. Hoses cost same as extensions.

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[Big Dog]

Also a good heavy duty extension lead won't see too much voltage drop. Cost a bit more than an extra hose, but gives you more options if not of your tools are electric.

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[eldog]

but not going spray paint in there fumes be dangerous plus wife kill me

are you painting the wife?

hose extension or heavy duty electrical cable - check if wires are a bigger cross section(this is important for voltage drop) not just the insulation cover


it would take me a good couple of (beer)cans to paint the bike:facepalm: before I rung a professional to get it done. Then a whole lot more cans to tell the household accountant what I had done.:shit:

[actungbaby]

Also a good heavy duty extension lead won't see too much voltage drop. Cost a bit more than an extra hose, but gives you more options if not of your tools are electric.

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Thanks mate i look into that been such a pain want to try some welding too buy a cheap welder ;-)

[actungbaby]

are you painting the wife?

hose extension or heavy duty electrical cable - check if wires are a bigger cross section(this is important for voltage drop) not just the insulation cover


it would take me a good couple of (beer)cans to paint the bike:facepalm: before I rung a professional to get it done. Then a whole lot more cans to tell the household accountant what I had done.:shit:

god mine has a live feed on the bank account ;-) i get home and she says whats the tool shed and what did you buy lol

[Big Dog]

Thanks mate i look into that been such a pain want to try some welding too buy a cheap welder ;-)
Do some classes they can be cheap or even free through night classes.
A good second hand unit will be better value than a "cheap" welder if you care about output quality.

I found with cheaper stick welders it is easy to get a neat weld or a strong weld.
Difficult to get both out of the same bead.
Work out what the material uou are Likely to be working with needs and get one with 20% more grunt.
E.g if you are welding up light sculptures or mending a garden fork a home cheapy will do. If your planning to weld up trailer parts you will need something bigger to penetrate the thicker plate.


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[jonbuoy]

If you already have the compressor and spray gun take a look at some of the industrial and marine single stage two component paints. They still use a seperate hardner but you don't need to clear coat afterwards. You can buy special mixing pots that will help take the guesswork out of mixing. You can also paint two component using paint brushes - if you use it thin and use multiple coats you can get a really good finish - good enough for a bike frame. Google roll and tip method if your doing flat surfaces. If your only brushing you don't have to worry about isocyante getting in your lungs so easily.

[Erelyes]

cheers . oh ps am thinking of trying painting abs fairings do you neeed special primer ?

Can help but not essential.

Adhesion promoter then epoxy primer if you want to do it properly. Otherwise, some 'bumper primer' in a spraycan will do OK.

[actungbaby]

Do some classes they can be cheap or even free through night classes.
A good second hand unit will be better value than a "cheap" welder if you care about output quality.

I found with cheaper stick welders it is easy to get a neat weld or a strong weld.
Difficult to get both out of the same bead.
Work out what the material uou are Likely to be working with needs and get one with 20% more grunt.
E.g if you are welding up light sculptures or mending a garden fork a home cheapy will do. If your planning to weld up trailer parts you will need something bigger to penetrate the thicker plate.


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Thanks mate yes i did a light enginerring course in 1997 got shakey hands ( must been bad dude in a past life llol) but i firgured am just really going try and do my best

yeah you get what you pay for so i probley go to a welding spealist and get there advice . my dream is to set up a small workshop and try making and reapir etc

i had a old lawn momer and was frustrated when chassis rusted and i chouldint fix it . one goal is to try design a motorcycle storage unit ie free up the shed and store my bikes outside

and also make some my own motorcycle stands front and rear.;-) i rather be doing something than going stark raving mad ;-)

[Big Dog]

I hear you. I wish I had the time and pockets to do all the things I want...

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[Akzle]

I hear you. I wish I had the time and pockets to do all the things I want...

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thank fuck the economy keeps you in check, otherwise you might achieve shit and be happy.


(just do it)

[SNF]

Did my bike. Spent a good $250 or so on cans. Not any cheap shit - went to Auto paint got Snowflake Pearl and a can of Winning blue and Celestial blue. Think I went through 4 cans of primer and the same again with clear with the whole bike. Then again I painted the frame previously - 2 cans of engine enamel semi gloss black. Its chipped away a bit and not the prettiest. The bodywork is still pretty good a year and a bit on. Lost of sanding with spray cans worth it to get a good result

[actungbaby]

I hear you. I wish I had the time and pockets to do all the things I want...

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me too just dreams mate good to have them i guess

[Pedrostt500]

A slab of cans, then ya might want some paint as well.