I've never really spray painted anything before...hell, I haven't painted anything before! Anyway, I baught this last night http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...19221&rd=1so instead of ruining my stock air filter cover I can waste this one. I want to do it flat black, I found some rustoleum automotive flat black, I'd assume that is the right stuff? How about priming or cleaning before hand though? Or techniques to spray paint? I was told I need to sand the surface before painting- well, the air filter cover is rough, is that just the type of paint they used? Will that sand off?

I'm completely lost and a total newb, so help me out please!

 

two coats are better the one! sand the surface, prime it, then paint it with light overlapping motion. try to hang it while you spray it... even coverage all the way around, better air flow to dry it.. I would recommend high heat paint if available.

 

Do you know if the rough surface on the cover is just paint or actual metal? If it's paint I'd assume that would sand right off...? Any suggestions on sand paper for this?

 

first, do a scratch test to see if it is paint or metal.. then start with 150 and go progressively higher.I like to use wet sandpaper, which is available at any auto store. the higher you go with the sandpaper, the better the finish.. I also sand between coats. then finish off with high quality clear coat, at least 3 coats

 

I painted my stock cover with Krylon matte black spray paint. Looks good.

Clean the cover real good to remove the oil/grease and dirt, and you should be OK.

 

Something just came to mind; looking at my stock cover, this seems like it could be wrinkle paint. If I'm right, I could just hopefully sand down the entire surface, make the air filter nice and flat, then clean/prime, and use flat black wrinkle paint to create the same effect. This is all new to me though so looks like I'm in for some fun.

 

Have fun with it.. If it doesn't look right, start again and learn from your mistakes.

 

VBCH Nightsteryou got any pictures?

 

Looks just like the stock with a matte black finish. Matches the finish on the handlebars. I originally got the paint to touch up some scratches on the end of the clutch lever. I sprayed some paint into a paper cup and applied with a small art brush. I applied three coats. It is such a close match to the stock finish that you can't detect the touch-up. For the stock cover, just go easy on the spray.

In think the rough finish on the stock cover is the metal, not the paint.

 

A helpful tip I was given for spray paint is: heat. I warm up the piece with a heat gun while I let the paint can sit in a warm water bath. Seems to improve the quality.

Steve
07 XL1200N