Changing the color of my Magna

[snoopy]

I was toying with the idea in my head to change the color of my Magna.  Do you guys think it would be possible to paint the fenders, side panel, and tank If I wanted to go with a non-standard color or is it not advised to paint the fenders?  My bike is black, if I wanted to make it yellow or blue, how much do you think it would take to purchase different color fenders and side panels?

[lragan]

Several members are better painters than I (Charles are you still around??), but I have repainted all the parts of one bike and some of the parts of another.  Doing all is easier and less expensive, since you can simply buy the color you like and paint the tank, fenders, and side panels.  

The fun begins if you want patterns -- I like ghost flames myself, as you may have noticed on my bikes. Getting these right is not trivial, and requires some trial and error on surfaces you don't intend to use.

The paint and supplies are not cheap -- plan to spend ~$250 -- and you will need a small air gun, which is cheap.  (Harbor Freight, for under $20. -- I use the "touch-up" models, and will get you specific part numbers if you decide to go for it.)    If you want to finish to a high sheen, you will want to put on clear coat and buff it out.  An electric rotary buffer is helpful.  I use a body grinder.  Of course, you will also need an air compressor, unless you use an airless paint pump of some sort.  (I have one, but it is for painting houses and rooms, and is terribly inefficient for small areas.)    

Professionals have paint booths with filtered air.  I have been able to get satisfactory results painting outdoors on calm days, especially after a rain to settle the dust.  It takes some time, but it gets easier after you have done it a time or two.  I think it is great fun, and quite satisfying.

[hootmon]

I had the rear fender of my red Magna color matched painted by a professional... It came out nice...
Decide what you want, and go for it, whether you do it yourself, or pay someone else..

[roboto65]

how much do you think it would take to purchase different color fenders and side panels

Less than a paint shop would charge you I would have to say around a 1000 dollars or less depending on what color Gas tank new around 400 to 520 rear fender 200 side covers 80 each and the front fender 150.

Now you can shop around and probably get it for less.

[guywheatley]

All you perfectionists close your ears.
You can also get a passible job with rattle cans. No, it won't stand up to close inspection by the pros, but just standing next to the bike and admiring the overall pattern, it will be passable. You can try several colors and schemes for right around $100 per attempt.
If you want a show bike, you'll have to learn to use the professional tools, or pay a pro. But the rattle can option is a great way to get your feet wet.
Go to a paint shop, pick out the colors you want and have them put an automotive grade paint in a spray can. Go ahead a get a clear for the final coat. You can get a less expensive primer from Lowes or Home Depot. You will want to get several grades of sandpaper, and wet sand between coats. Even though you're using spray cans, do as good a job as you can. It's a good learning experience, and you can do a reasonable job.

Professional paint job.

Less than professional paint job on trunk.

Less than professional paint job on trunk.

[filstoy]

All you perfectionists close your ears.
You can also get a passible job with rattle cans. No, it won't stand up to close inspection by the pros, but just standing next to the bike and admiring the overall pattern, it will be passable. You can try several colors and schemes for right around $100 per attempt.
If you want a show bike, you'll have to learn to use the professional tools, or pay a pro. But the rattle can option is a great way to get your feet wet.
Go to a paint shop, pick out the colors you want and have them put an automotive grade paint in a spray can. Go ahead a get a clear for the final coat. You can get a less expensive primer from Lowes or Home Depot. You will want to get several grades of sandpaper, and wet sand between coats. Even though you're using spray cans, do as good a job as you can. It's a good learning experience, and you can do a reasonable job.

Professional paint job.

Less than professional paint job on trunk.

Less than professional paint job on trunk.

Actually, I bought a DVD from a guy in Utah that does show bikes using spray cans named Dan Worth and goes by the name of Spraycan Dan. The trick is all in the prep work and he doesn't use cheap paint. I read about him in a couple of magazines and practiced on an extra tank I had laying around and it came out pretty decent. Don't really know how much money I saved because the spray cans were about $50 apiece and the materials add up too . I do have a compressor and sprayers but I just wanted to do it for the heck of it. If you really want show quality though there is no teacher like experience but I figure you've got to start somewhere if you really want to learn how to do it.

[hop along]

Of course, whatever route is chosen, we will all want to see before and after pix 

FWIW, if you go the do it yourself route, sample sample sample... the underside of fenders and inside the side covers might be a decent place to start, work out the process and check colors
Hop Along

[guywheatley]

Actually, I bought a DVD from a guy in Utah that does show bikes using spray cans named Dan Worth and goes by the name of Spraycan Dan. The trick is all in the prep work and he doesn't use cheap paint. I read about him in a couple of magazines and practiced on an extra tank I had laying around and it came out pretty decent. Don't really know how much money I saved because the spray cans were about $50 apiece and the materials add up too . I do have a compressor and sprayers but I just wanted to do it for the heck of it. If you really want show quality though there is no teacher like experience but I figure you've got to start somewhere if you really want to learn how to do it.

I didn't know about spraycan Dan. I'll have to Google him.
Filstoy is absolutely right about the prep work and paint quality. I do think you can go with a less expensive primer. The only thing you're saving is the cost of paint guns, filters, compressors, etc. If you've already got that stuff, then by all means use it. But even with spray cans, you'll use the same abrasives, degreaser, and buffing pads a pro would use.
If you don't have access to a paint booth, then you're probably just going to have to live with a few contaminates. Just pick a place and time of day (no wind blowing) to minimize them. Also, with rattle cans, you're going to have some fish eyes and probably a little over spray. But as Hoot suggested, practice on the back side of covers and under fenders.
Check out Youtube. There are a lot of video primers about painting. You'll find advice from people who worry about the thickness of coats down to mills to those who generally just point the paint gun at the thing they want colored. Pick your level of anal retention and go for it. At the end of the day, your paint job only has to please one person. (Unless you're married.)

[guywheatley]

Hit quote instead of modify. How do I delete this?

[snoopy]

Hit quote instead of modify. How do I delete this?

For my posts, there is a red "X" icon at the top left of the message which says remove.  I've never tried it, but perhaps that'd work.

[filstoy]

Just to be clear, I wasn't endorsing Spraycan Dan. I just thought it was interesting what he could do with spray cans. I don't think he sells the DVDs anymore but instead gives access to videos through a membership. The biggest problems I had using spray cans was uneven pressure so the paint doesn't go on as even as with a well filtered compressor and gun which means a lot more elbow grease. Also hard to keep the dust particles out without a paint booth. It's much easier to do on a motorcycle because the pieces are smaller but I would never attempt it on a car. You'd be sanding forever.

[guywheatley]

Hit quote instead of modify. How do I delete this?

For my posts, there is a red "X" icon at the top left of the message which says remove.  I've never tried it, but perhaps that'd work.

Interesting. I'm using Lion 10.7.4 running Chrome Version 20.0.1132.57 and Firefox 13.0.1. No red X with either browser. 

[filstoy]

Hit quote instead of modify. How do I delete this?

For my posts, there is a red "X" icon at the top left of the message which says remove.  I've never tried it, but perhaps that'd work.

Interesting. I'm using Lion 10.7.4 running Chrome Version 20.0.1132.57 and Firefox 13.0.1. No red X with either browser. 

I'm running Firefox 13.0.1 and the red X which says "remove" is in the upper right hand corner of each of my posts.

[guywheatley]

Here's a screen shot of my Browser. I am logged in. I'm on a Mac. Maybe the OS?

[lragan]

I use "Chrome" from Google, and I don't see a way to delete a post.  Perhaps I should be a bit more circumspect before clicking on "Post"...