I am at the point in my rebuild to start thinking about some new color.
My question is. Will I be able to just scuff and shoot over the other paint?
I have been out of work for 4 months and $$$$$ is real tight so I need to do this as cheap as I can.
When I got the bike a couple years ago it was a good deal but the color sucks big time.
I just want to use a simple base color in some sort of shade of red for now and next winter do it over from scratch.
I have not yet determined the type of paint that is on the bike now which will determine whethewr I use Laquer or Enamel.
Any help or tips would be great.

 

Well, I don't know much about painting with the new paints. I see www.eastwood.com you can buy a starter kit. I may try that my self. But I just happen to run accross a guy on craigslist that had a complete set of tins for a softail cheap and I was surprised that there was harly a scratch on them. But the color in a deep red with a black accent. Two tone. I put the tins on and have to get use to the color change. But got the whole set for 200.00. Cheap way to change the color....Now my idea is to try and paint the other tins and have no down time.

 

Wow what a great deal you got on those tins!. I am looking for a new tank with the two caps instead of the fuel door that is on my FLT. Another reason why I don't want to get too fancy for now.
I just can't STAND the color on the bike now. Every time I go through Northampton i get all the sissies whistling at me if you know what I mean.
I looked at the Eastwood site and will probably get some stuff from them but I already have a HVLP system and a couple gravity feed guns and a touch up gun.
Good luck with your prioject and thanks for your reply.
Joe

 

gottahavvitt,

I painted my bike with Nason single stage urethane. All i did was wet sand the oem paint till it was smooth with 400 grit. Shot it with several coats of black. Being the beginner I am if i messed up, I let it dry over night and sanded with 400 grit the next day and shot it again. Granted, there is a little nib or two in it but I am the only one who cares. Everybody that has seen it thinks it was done in a paint shot. I have painted three more bikes since mine, one a shade of red and one a dark blue and one a dark red. On lighter shades of paint and multi colored parts a coat of sealer will help. Nason is a cheap paint, but seems durable . I have had no problems with it. just my two cents.

later................
http://s119.photobucket.com/albums/o...t=P1010012.jpg

 

I paint bikes and cars for a living so maybe I can help you. If you already have the equipment to spray the bike(spray guns and compressor) You can do the job yourself and make it look good. I would go to your local paint jobber who supplies body shops their paint. There will be one near you. Do yourself a favor though and do the job in base clear. It is much more forgiving for a newbie. You shouldnt need more than about a quart of base coat. Maybe about quart and a half of clear. 3 coats of base coat. Let it dry between coats and not to wet. After the third coat flashes off(dries)Tack down the base with a tack rag(also available at paint supply store) Apply your clear coat 2 coats. After first coat let the clear dry for about 10-20 minutes between coats depending on the clear you are using then apply second coat. Now go drink a beer and stare at your handy work for an hour or two.

Spray the base coat at 40psi at the trigger and the clear at about 55 psi at the trigger. Make sure you wet sand the original paint with 400-600 grit (available at pep boys or napa in job packs to save money) You can even buy a highbuild primer in rattle can to save money if you have to fix a spot or two. You can probably paint the whole bike yourself for about 200 bucks for a half decent base/ clear. Dont waste your money on high end paints if you dont plan on keeping this paint job for long. Try to get the low end version of the higher priced product example ppg has a version of their paint cheaper but not bad called shop line sikkens is called lezonal also not bad. Duponts is called nason. All these products are very cost effective and will work just fine if they are applied correctly. I hope this helps and if you get stuck or need help just email me at my web site http://www.visualimpact2.com Mike Oh and since I am shilling my site LOL book mark it and when your flush again with cash look me up for some custom paint. Hell , maybe youll be custom painting before you know it.

 

You can get a pretty nice paint job from rattle cans. Of course it won't have any hardener in it but when you're bucks down, ya gotta make some concessions.

 

Very true , Just do a good job sanding it and go with lots of light coats to build it up.

 

mmpp71,

man that is some very, very nice work.i wish i was able to do that type and quality work! thanks for sharingyour website.

later.................

 

I agree with mmpp71. Buy the cheaper of the paint and you will be fine. I painted my Nova with PPG and then I painted 2 other cars and a bike with the house brand and you really can not tell the difference.

If you are unsure as to what type of paint I would spray a caot of epoxy primer as a sealer.

Anyway, remember the quality of the paint job is greatly determined but the amount of prep work done prior to paint. If you are going to paint a dark color then I would sand with 400 and then wet sand with at least 800 grit.

Follow the step mmpp71 outlined and do not get in a hurry. Let if flash and you will have less runs to deal with.

When finished sand with 1500-2000 grit and then buff out to a mirror like finish.

You did not mention where you are located, that might help if someone is will to help out locally.

 

Paco, You got skills. If that was a first time job or even a second or third time it looks great. Nice work, keep paintin. Mike visualimpact2.com