I painted EA-6b, for a living,. (4yrs US Navy)

 

David - I just finished both fenders and helmetfor my 04 FXDL. I went with a Bob Fender and welded over the holes to make the brake light mount clean from the inside. On the front fender I welded the rivets and narrowed the mounting bracket and added 2 inches to the length in the rear of the front fender and addedpoly foam to make it look more like theBob rear.[/align] As for paint I used BC/CC - Bright Metallic Blue for the base coat. The factory HDpaint came out to a Jaguar color match on the scanner, but it's prolly 3-part paint. Factory HD paint IMHO is really top quality. I really didn't want to match it since it's a one-off. After the base lay down, I did not use aninter-clear coat and taped flames directly to the base coat. I used the EZ Flames DVD from www.innate.com - to get some ideas on how to lay out the flames. I used a lighter metallic silver-blue for the flames. I cleared it with 3 heavy coats of clear using Cobalt Candy Bluetint - to hide the flames and give it depth. When cured I color sanded w/400, then one clear coat with "Old School" metal flakes. Final with 3 coatsclear. Cut and buff.Cut (1000-1500-2000) wet sandpaper and buff (3M) is a must for burying the flames and giving the paint the pop. Factory HD paint is great for this.[/align] Flames are well buried and color is a bright blue. The old school metal flakes (I think) look good and not too "Bass Boat." It looks best in bright light and both at night. [/align] The bike was an eBay "scratch & dent" and I knew I was going to mod it when I went looking for a project - So home paint was in the plan.[/align] As for the tank - I'm stumped. I want to mount the gauges on the bars and go old school with a smooth tank - single gas cap. But it's EFI and I (believe) need access to the fuel pump / vent. I have an eBay tank to mess with and plans areto fab a plate /coverfor the access panel and paint over / around it so I can take it off if necessary.[/align] I hope to get some ideas on what to do next week in Daytona - over a couple of beers...[/align]I'd post pics but don't know how - I can pm them to you if interested.[/align]BTW - http://www.autobody101.com/forums/ - has some good info if you decide to home paint. This is the first "custom" job I finished after just straight primer and normal rattle can and single stage paint. I figure the $$$ I save in cost to a shop goes towards supplies and tools and I have what I want - within reason. You can pick up inexpensive tins - take offs from eBay -to practice on. As for exotic air brushing and pin striping, I'll leave that to the true artists...[/align] Good luck - dd[/alig

 

Would like to some day but not my bob.

 

Sure, PM me and I'll be happy to post them for you, if you like. Sounds very interesting! What brand of paint did you use? I was going to go with with anHOK black base and then add flames... but I'm open to anything. I've not yet decided the paint scheme, actually.

 

David, sent PM - would not let me attach pics - reply and I'll attach.

I used Nason by Dupont for the BC, HOK Kandy Koncentrates in Kirker High Solid Clear - then the Kirker clear straight.
Check out your local Auto Paint Supplier and tell them your plans. Mine love a "science project" and are very helpful. Most times they will give you paint to use on practice panels. BC/CC is really hard to mess up - follow instructions and have a clean environment. Even heavy orange peel can be cut and buffed- runs / sags are easily fixed.
HOK is pricey. And Black is Black - no need to go high dollar (IMO). But then a quart is all you need.
My take-off tank is Factory HD Black. I plan to de-wax, scuff and paint. No need to take it down to metal if paint is good.
These folks have good products - prices as well.
http://smartshoppersinc.com/