Paint or vinyl? Opinions please

[madboy]

I feel that riding a bright green 2002 Kawasaki 636 is no longer the go. Don't ask why, and I won't lie to you. Instead, just reflect on how easy a bright green motorcycle is identified by non-bikers vs, say, a black one. "Who, me?"

Of course, easy option is to buy the nice dark grey/black 04 R1 down at TSS, but I don't actually want to change bikes for a year or two (other financial commitments). After talking to a mate in the panelbeating trade, I understand I have a choice between painting or vinyling the bike (covering it with vinyl and just peeling it off when I go to sell it, thereby keeping the factory paint job).

So, my questions to you:

1) If I repaint, will it devalue the bike? If so, by lots or a little?
2) Anyone know anything good/bad about vinyl?
3) Any other constructive comments to make re: changing colour?

Thanks in advance.

[sAsLEX]

everyone is always concerned about resprays as its generally done after a bin or crash, and can be done to hide something.


Maybe a dull matt black ala blackbird to absorb some infrared light for some reason?

[heavenly.talker]

Hmmmmm
I repainted my volty and ended up getting more for it than I paid for it. She was old and had lots of km's but then had a point of difference.
If the bike is not worth that much then customise it. If the bike is mint and it's holding it's value because it is all orginal parts and the like then choose the vinyl option.

At the end of the day it is only worth what a buyer is willing to pay. They generally pay for something that is distinct and personalised or that is in pristine condition.

My two cents worth...hope it helps :-)

[thealmightytaco]

Vinyl would leave alot of sticky nastiness about I would think, certainly does on a drumkit, did a woodgrain vinyl thing on my kit in my avatar there. But that can be washed off with certain products, and there's probably far better vinyl out there than the cheap schlock I used. Painting is too much work though, I'd rather ride a green one.

[pyrocam]

I repainted the rgv150 from gay to blue. didnt change the resale value... cough cough.

[Zapf]

vinyl should be fine as long as its good quality. e.g 3M stuff...

I have recently worked with some 3M paint protection and reflective stuff and find that they have very good quality backing that leaves nothing on the bike when you peel them off again.

vinyl would also acts a protection for the paint against stone chips and UV.

[Mattyc]

yeah go the vinyl, you can peel it off then use a caramel wheel to get the sticky bits off

[**R1**]

Just paint it, I dont think my bike has de-valued, plus you get exactly what ya want.........if ya plan is to keep it for a few years how much did ya want to get back for it??

[heavenly.talker]

Just paint it, I dont think my bike has de-valued, plus you get exactly what ya want.........if ya plan is to keep it for a few years how much did ya want to get back for it??

Pretty paint job there :spudwave:

[The Stranger:Me]

Good quality vinyl like 3M is fine. comes off cleanly with a heat gun or hairdryer. Not much residue left at all, just needs a little rub in places with a mild thinner type product.

Um is vinyl neat where you have curves in multple directions, say about the nosecone of a fairing?

It is even possible to have curves in say 3 directions in a localised area and I assume they start with a flat sheet.

[juzzer]

Um is vinyl neat where you have curves in multple directions, say about the nosecone of a fairing?

It is even possible to have curves in say 3 directions in a localised area and I assume they start with a flat sheet.

You use a little heat form a heat gun/hair dryer when you apply the vinyl, you will be amazed at the curves and corners you will be able to apply it around. (the vinyl is pretty thin)

[Coyote]

Vinyl would be good when you sell it as it gives the buyer the option of keeping the vinyl or taking it off. Also the custom vinyls would show that you took good care of the bike

[T.I.E]

was thinking that the thin layer of vinyl would protect the bike, and with a bin it might help hold pieces together. aswell as look good.
but how would it hold up under a close inspection?

[madboy]

The vinyl option sounds appealing. Since the bike already has factory stickers (like right up the side of the fairings, etc) would that create a problem when taking it off? Then again, the left hand side has already been for a slide so those stickers need replacing anyway.

It's not that I have a specific value in mind, Aaron, just that I don't want to spend money repainting it, only to lose even more money when I sell it cos it's not a factory colour.

The whole reason it's getting a colour change is to save money in the first place.

[dawnrazor]

I would suggest that the expense of repainting would far out way any financial gain at resale. Specifically if you do a real good job with the paint (lots of layers and lacker), as a crappy paint job is only going to detract from the resale value. Couple that with a design/colour scheme that will appeal to potential buyers. Your idea of cool may not be to the taste of others.

To be honest it all sounds like a pain in the ass to do either, live with it as is, if your only going to keep it for a couple of years. Only repaint it if its for you, a bikes not a house.

I'm not crazy about the colour of my bike, but there is no way in hell i'd bother repainting it, when there are other mods that I could spend the money on that would actually increase its resale value, like new can, K&N filters, dynojets, huggers, braided brake lines, double bubble, alloy rear sets, alloy levers, crash bobbins, lighter rims, tyres etc etc etc.