Motorcycle Painting

Creator: EnabrinTain Status: Planning Born On: 10:49, 14 June 2011 (CDT) Last Updated: 13:00, 14 June 2011 (CDT)

Overview

I need to paint my bike - I've seen several DIY guides for painting motorcycles online so I'm going to give it a whirl.

Plan Steps

• (order thoughts and steps here)

1. Clean Bike (wash parts to be painted)
2. Remove old decals
   1. TOOLS: Heat Gun
3. Sand scrapes (from crash)
4. Bondo Necessary?(Do Bondo + Sand Bondo):(Continue)
5. Remove Fairing and Tank (everything that is getting painted)
   1. TOOLS: Hex Keys, Drill, Philips Drivers
6. Apply Primer
   1. Fill a Paint Can Cap with thinner (for nozzles)
   2. Apply Paint in fast strokes, holding can 8 inches from the surface being painted
   3. After every 20 strokes, switch nozzles with nozzle from thinner
   4. Wait 15 minutes between coats and reapply
7. Apply Base
   1. Follow painting directions for applying spray paint
      1. Desired effect is many (10-15) thin shells of paint instead of (3-5) very thick shells
   2. Allow paint to dry for at least 2 days
   3. With a little soap and water, (lightly and evenly) wet sand (with a fine grit sponge) - Object is to have a light foggy-ness to the coat
   4. Apply Final Base Coat
      1. Moisten paper towels w/ water and wipe surface being painted
      2. Dry surface w/ paper towels
      3. Spray the final coat (just enough to barely cover the foggy base layer)
      4. Dry at least 3 days
   5. Wet sand (with a Fine sanding sponge)
8. Apply Clear Coat
   1. Follow painting directions for applying spray paint, but don't wait longer than 20 minutes (10-15 min) between layer dryings
   2. Apply 5 layers
   3. Dry at least 3 days
   4. Final Sanding (Use Extra Fine sanding sponge + lots of Water and soap)
      1. very light pressure on clear coat
9. Remount Fairings
10. Wait a week before polishing.

Links

• I am following the steps HERE