Opinions wanted: Side Cover debacle
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,691
Likes: 13
From: Creston, Iowa
FlyNavy, thanks for the color rite link. Will be useful if I ever need some touch up. Also would recommend going HD route. Think your time, money and frustration level will be better spent that way!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,328
Likes: 15
From: Pacific Northwest
There are so many places where you can get good info regarding DIY paint work. The Colorite website would be the first place to start - lots of info there (and it's their product).
Doing some research before tackling that modest project would have paid off with acceptable side panels. After all, they aren't the most prominent thing on your bike so absolute perfection isn't necessarily a requirement.
I wouldn't give up on them yet. Do some research. Get some advice from a local paint shop - many are very willing to help on a DIY small project like yours.
Then try it again. It ain't rocket surgery but like anything else there are some basic rules.
Note: you can get protective film online or from almost any detail shop and save some cash in the process.
Doing some research before tackling that modest project would have paid off with acceptable side panels. After all, they aren't the most prominent thing on your bike so absolute perfection isn't necessarily a requirement.
I wouldn't give up on them yet. Do some research. Get some advice from a local paint shop - many are very willing to help on a DIY small project like yours.
Then try it again. It ain't rocket surgery but like anything else there are some basic rules.
Note: you can get protective film online or from almost any detail shop and save some cash in the process.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 56,052
Likes: 88,754
From: Western South Dakota
In fact I am always on the look-out for new parts and at this time have found a slightly used front fender, new side covers and a new outter fairing in my color for mine just to have in reserve for that unforseen thing.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 68
Likes: 3
Color-rite touch up
GREAT idea on recycling the old ones - thank you!
The paint: www.color-rite.com I "think" the paint code is 6033, but it doesn't matter. Just click thru a simple drop down for HD bike, then model/year, and choose from the colors the bike came in that year. They have touch up paint in small bottles, aerosaol cans, even in pints if you want to do some painting with a pro shooter. If you do aerosol, make sure you get the clear coat as well so it looks brand new after base coat is applied. 3 coats of clear ifs what I used.
I have used several aerosol paints for cars and bikes over the years from various vendors including the OEM manufacturers. This is by far the best match I have ever seen. Color-rite claims it is the OEM formula, and the can is even marked as OEM.
Good luck.
The paint: www.color-rite.com I "think" the paint code is 6033, but it doesn't matter. Just click thru a simple drop down for HD bike, then model/year, and choose from the colors the bike came in that year. They have touch up paint in small bottles, aerosaol cans, even in pints if you want to do some painting with a pro shooter. If you do aerosol, make sure you get the clear coat as well so it looks brand new after base coat is applied. 3 coats of clear ifs what I used.
I have used several aerosol paints for cars and bikes over the years from various vendors including the OEM manufacturers. This is by far the best match I have ever seen. Color-rite claims it is the OEM formula, and the can is even marked as OEM.
Good luck.
Thanks,
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,863
Likes: 55
From: Sedalia,Missouri
You are not alone in your feelings of failing at your paint project. At one time I had an interest in learning how to airbrush. After buying instruction books and materials I began to practice. I soon realized my limitations and decided I just didn't have the patience or talent to become an airbrush artist. I am still amazed at some of the paint work I see done.
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 791
Likes: 1
From: New Hampshire
Hey OLY, I have the small bottle touch-up kit, which comes with a small bottle of base black pearl, and small bottle of clear. I had 3 or 4 rock chips or from other dings on one of my hard bag tops. I used the touch up and it looked at first like typical touch up areas - they were tiny chips, but still just that tiny touch of fresh paint....then I used the clear on top and let it dry. came out quite nice actually. I know where they are and even I am hard pressed to notice them without getting way up close. I have yet to wax and buff them over with a coat of mothers also...I think they will look even less noticeable after I do that.
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 791
Likes: 1
From: New Hampshire
To all,
So I was pretty frustrated, and had decided to just leave them alone and order the new side covers from HD and wait 6 weeks. I typically take the bike out of storage and start riding some in mid-march, so long as it isn't snowing or snow hasn't fallen recently.
I realized with the lead time I wouldn't be riding with side covers, so I decide to at least finish my originals with clear coat so I could ride with them until I get my new ones.....I went home yesterday and applied a clear coat, then another coat....and the covers started to look markedly better. I couldnt even see the marks I saw after base coat application on most of the surface. I did one more before bedtime last night and they look pretty smooth and with just a few flaws.
One more coat today, and I think after letting them set for the weekend, I will aplly a thin coat of buffing compound, wax, then buff them out. maybe wont have to buy new ones after all!!
I really had zero clue that clear lacquer could actually cover imperfections. I thought it just brightened the base color. Who knew?
Jury is still out and we will see how they actually look 100% completed and installed on the bike, but I am thinking i may have saved 300 bucks.
Thanks to all for the help, advise, etc.
So I was pretty frustrated, and had decided to just leave them alone and order the new side covers from HD and wait 6 weeks. I typically take the bike out of storage and start riding some in mid-march, so long as it isn't snowing or snow hasn't fallen recently.
I realized with the lead time I wouldn't be riding with side covers, so I decide to at least finish my originals with clear coat so I could ride with them until I get my new ones.....I went home yesterday and applied a clear coat, then another coat....and the covers started to look markedly better. I couldnt even see the marks I saw after base coat application on most of the surface. I did one more before bedtime last night and they look pretty smooth and with just a few flaws.
One more coat today, and I think after letting them set for the weekend, I will aplly a thin coat of buffing compound, wax, then buff them out. maybe wont have to buy new ones after all!!
I really had zero clue that clear lacquer could actually cover imperfections. I thought it just brightened the base color. Who knew?
Jury is still out and we will see how they actually look 100% completed and installed on the bike, but I am thinking i may have saved 300 bucks.
Thanks to all for the help, advise, etc.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,328
Likes: 15
From: Pacific Northwest
To all,
So I was pretty frustrated, and had decided to just leave them alone and order the new side covers from HD and wait 6 weeks. I typically take the bike out of storage and start riding some in mid-march, so long as it isn't snowing or snow hasn't fallen recently.
I realized with the lead time I wouldn't be riding with side covers, so I decide to at least finish my originals with clear coat so I could ride with them until I get my new ones.....I went home yesterday and applied a clear coat, then another coat....and the covers started to look markedly better. I couldnt even see the marks I saw after base coat application on most of the surface. I did one more before bedtime last night and they look pretty smooth and with just a few flaws.
One more coat today, and I think after letting them set for the weekend, I will aplly a thin coat of buffing compound, wax, then buff them out. maybe wont have to buy new ones after all!!
I really had zero clue that clear lacquer could actually cover imperfections. I thought it just brightened the base color. Who knew?
Jury is still out and we will see how they actually look 100% completed and installed on the bike, but I am thinking i may have saved 300 bucks.
Thanks to all for the help, advise, etc.
So I was pretty frustrated, and had decided to just leave them alone and order the new side covers from HD and wait 6 weeks. I typically take the bike out of storage and start riding some in mid-march, so long as it isn't snowing or snow hasn't fallen recently.
I realized with the lead time I wouldn't be riding with side covers, so I decide to at least finish my originals with clear coat so I could ride with them until I get my new ones.....I went home yesterday and applied a clear coat, then another coat....and the covers started to look markedly better. I couldnt even see the marks I saw after base coat application on most of the surface. I did one more before bedtime last night and they look pretty smooth and with just a few flaws.
One more coat today, and I think after letting them set for the weekend, I will aplly a thin coat of buffing compound, wax, then buff them out. maybe wont have to buy new ones after all!!
I really had zero clue that clear lacquer could actually cover imperfections. I thought it just brightened the base color. Who knew?
Jury is still out and we will see how they actually look 100% completed and installed on the bike, but I am thinking i may have saved 300 bucks.
Thanks to all for the help, advise, etc.
Dude...really, no more ready - fire - aim.
Do yourself a GREAT BIG FAVOR and at least read the instructions and tips on the Colorite website before you do anything more. You can also call them if the instructions are too difficult to understand.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,616
Likes: 17
From: Mid West
I have used colorite as well, awesome supplier, notes of caution to those that do their own touch ups, primer is the only way to fill light or fine sanding scratches, a light finish bondo in a tube is the cats meow as to filling light scrapes or gouges; as to paint, rattle cans deliver a pre-mixed pre-thinned material and is around 1/2 to 1/3 the thickness after drying than actually mixing two part paints and buying the appropriate thinner by temp or humidity as body shops do. It is one of those you get what you pay for deals but I do the same as I do my own re-paints and touch ups. Just expect the minor subtle variances.
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