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There are many choices of gloss black paint for shovelhead frames. Two that are most often recommended are VHT Epoxy and Majic Tractor, Truck and Implement Spray. Yesterday, I started to find out which would be best for restoring my 82 FXR.
I thought the frame was painted what the car people call Chassis Black, it wasn't very shiny, but under the VIN sticker the original paint was quite glossy. Earlier frames, I was told, aren't quite so glossy.
I sanded and cleaned a piece of flat bar for this test, and heated the cans in hot water so the paint would be warm through and through.
After shaking for two minutes (using a timer) I gave them one medium coat. Coverage was about the same for each, but the Majic was shinier. The VHT dried a lot faster and leveled better.
I gave it a second coat after about 15 minutes, and was not happy with how the Majic paint orange peeled. It was definitely blacker and shinier than the VHT paint, though. The directions on the Majic can says waiting 24 hours between coats would give a better finish. I didn't have patience for that, and paid the price.
Majic ^^^
VHT ^^^
Comparing to the original frame paint, Majic is the clear winner. The VHT may be closer for older frames? It did match the faded paint on my frame, for what that's worth.
Today I was pleasantly surprised to find the Majic paint leveled itself overnight, and looks pretty good. Waiting 24 hours between coats would have given a really nice finish.
Majic after 24 hours ^^^
I wondered if the VHT would benefit from a third coat, and it does look thicker, but still not as black as the Majic.
VHT 3rd Coat ^^^
In conclusion I am going to use the Majic Tractor paint, but will buy a quart and the hardener. I will be able to adjust the air pressure and get it to lay down smoother. I will also wait 24 hours before spraying the second coat.
I was asked on another forum about primer. No primer was used, just trying to see how they lay out. However, the VHT can says it works on bare metal, the Majic didn’t say either way, just cautioned if you use primer to let it dry and scuff it. But when you use the quart of Majic with hardener and their reducer, they say do not use over primer.
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Frame Paint Comparison
