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Nov 13, 2009 | 04:10 PM

Hackd

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From: Canton, Michigan

Paint

Anyone know of a painter in the Detroit Metro area, that can change a pair of Brilliant Silver saddlebags into Vivid Black saddlebags? And not want $500 to do it? Bags are all apart, only need to be prepped and painted.

Nov 20, 2009 | 08:53 PM

gnafin

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From: Westland, Michigan

you ever find someone to paint your bags? i am looking too... i live in livonia...

Nov 21, 2009 | 05:46 AM

miacycles

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From: Bluffton, South Carolina

You might be able to find some one to do it cheaper, but that's about what a quality painter charges. While there isn't a lot of surface to prep, it has to be perfect or the black will show it. Add in the cost and maintenance of a good paint booth and the price gets up there. Of course for that price I would expect a perfect job !!!

Nov 22, 2009 | 05:31 PM

Hackd

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From: Canton, Michigan

Quote:

Originally Posted by miacycles

You might be able to find some one to do it cheaper, but that's about what a quality painter charges.

I got quotes from three bike painters: $500, $500, $250. And from Three collision/body shops: $500, $175, $165.

I paid $550 for the bags (used - $495 + $55 shipping/insurance). There aren't a lot, of used Sportster hard bags for sale, and these were in very good shape (other than the wrong color). New, color matched bags are $1399.95 plus tax (6% - $84 in MI) at the stealers, so if I can cut that price in half with a set of used bags, that have been re-painted, a few stickers, and some new gaskets installed (lid seals): I'm doing good.

Nothing special to paint on the bags, one color, Vivid Black. I've already disassembled them, so there isn't a bunch of taping that's needed. And there isn't any cracks, chips, etc that need work. Just some touchup paint that was applied by a PO to a few scratches, which will need some sanding/smoothing. These aren't going on a trailer queen, they're a Christmas present for my son's 07 883R that he commutes on. So I don't want them to look like I rattle canned them after a twelve pack of MGD. Although, even the OEM Harley paint, had a couple of runs/sags on the back side of one bag.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gnafin

you ever find someone to paint your bags?

Yes I did. I dropped the bags off last week and hope to get them back before Thanksgiving. I'll let you know how they turn out.

Dec 1, 2009 | 06:40 AM

Hackd

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From: Canton, Michigan

Picked up the saddlebags on Monday 11/30. Not quite two weeks from dropping them off. They look very nice. If there is a 'gig' it would be for some orange peel on the back of one, that in the rear where the shock absorber sits. Totally not visibile, and the OEM Harley paint had a couple runs and sags on the backs, so they weren't perfect 'from the factory'. He used PPG Vivid Black, and put three coats of clear on. He also said if I scratched them during re-assembly to bring them back and he'll buff them out or whatever. I'd post some pics, but honestly a pic isn't going to show anything, other than that they are shiny black.

$165. I handed him 9-$20's and said it was all good.

Last edited by Hackd; Dec 1, 2009 at 06:43 AM.