Painting help

[robertdwest]

Greetings all.  This winter my hope is to repaint the bike and was hoping to find someone that is skilled in this area that would be willing to share their knowledge in a wrench session or several to help a novice repaint the bike.  It will be the first step in a semi-customization of a 94 magna.  I live in Kempner and am military so work on Fort Hood.  Look forward to hearing from anyone that can help.

[roboto65]

First off welcome to the club and most likely Charles will be the one he is the paint guy does some great work!!!!

[TLRam1]

I think I have a few How-To's on painting unless I lost them in my hard drive failure but no worth while experience. I think I am back up and running on my computer now.

Allen gave you the guy who can give you some pointers Charles-in-Charge! He can also do custom seats if your so inclined.

[lragan]

These guys are right, Charles is the Xpert on painting stuff.  All I have painted are side panels and (can you believe it?) air horn trumpets to match the tank, fenders, and side panels.

When trying to learn how to do this, I found the following web site most helpful:

http://www.manoian.net/jeep/amber_fire_pearlcoat_paint.html

Yes, I know it is about painting a jeep, but the bike is not different in principle.  Biggest difference is that the parts all fit in a small booth, perhaps made from a large cardboard box with appropriate fan and HEPA filter. 

My biggest difficulty was trying to match paint and flames already on the rest of the bike.  If you start from scratch, it would clearly require more effort than a few side panels, but it could well be simpler.

I really enjoyed doing this, and should I ever actually, I mean really, retire, would like to get good enough at it to offer it as a service to others.  Hope you enjoy it as much...

[Charles S Otwell]

Hey Robert, nothing more gratifying than customising your on bike and doing the work yourself. I am no Xpert, (if I understood that last remark correctly ) but I do enjoy doing my own painting, and sometimes come across as a know-it-all (not intentional). The web site that Lawrence gave is an excellent article. There are a lot of choices in paint product available, be careful when choosing. What paint tools do you have? Tools also plays a big part in the out come. I will be glad to answer any questions that I can, but I am by no means the only member with painting skills in Moot. Give us an idea what you have to work with and how extensive are you wanting to go with the custom painting. I would enjoy hosting a wrenching session on such, but not until I finish painting Jeff's sportbike which is way over due..

[KTC]

don't you paint Allen?

[roboto65]

Have painted a few bikes spraycan jobs did not turn out bad I am sure that Charles will agree that 90% of a paint job is in the Prep work !!!!

[KTC]

so true. 

[robertdwest]

Right now all I have for tools is a simple walmart air compressor, and a large bottom fed paint gun for the compressor.  I have considered picking up their little 40.00 dollar paint set up at walmart.  I realize that walmart probably isn't the best quality of tools but I figure it's a good place to start for experience at a minimal price.  I also have the basic palm sander and enough tools to take the parts off the bike.  I do have a garage to work in, so that's a plus. 

I'm not looking to go too custom.  I've contemplated just going a blue to match my helmet and either find someone to do some airbrushing for some Dallas Cowboys items or work some stickers in just as they do the magna logo on the tank and just do my best to flush it with clear coat.  I know, the Cowboys aren't the most popular team in the world but what can I say, I'm a die hard fan.

[roboto65]

One thing about doing it your self is if you do not like it you can do it again I would say prep is most of it make sure to get the primer smooth and wipe it down good to get all oils off the primer then spray it down with color in stages light coats building to color !!!
Then add your sticker or graphics and clear over them !!!

[TLRam1]

I didn't read the article but sand between coats. If the article doesn't cover this we can provide more info.

[Charles S Otwell]

All these were painted with a $15.00 gravity feed auto spray gun from harbor Freight, in the shop seen in one of the pics. The wolf head is a decal, I air brushed around the edges then clearcoated. It takes several coats of clear, letting each coat dry then sanding between coats to remove the raised edges of the decal, it takes several days to get it slick enough that you can't feel the decal. Also try to pick a decal that doesn't have a border around the edge. Last but not least do all your final sanding with a block sander and 1500 grit wet/dry (wet) so it can be buffed to a high gloss without any dust particules showing.

[Greg Cothern]

You guys are making me want to dig out the ole yeller tank and play! 

[roboto65]

Get to digging LOL you can do it !!!!

[Charles S Otwell]

Seems I remember you already having a paint gun  and I believe an air compressor? Sooo what ya waitin on  ..