How hard could it be?

[ThinkAgain]

I'm bored with my paint job.  The previous owner had it painted grey, and I'm thinking of a bright red paint job.  Nothing fancy, just a solid, rich red.  How complicated will this get if I want to paint it myself?

Anyone have recommendations for paint?  Is it available in a spray can that would do a good job, or should I rent a sprayer?  Should I use an oil-based enamel, or is there specially formulated motorcycle paint?  How much of the current paint should I strip/grind off, or can I just sand it smooth, prime it and cover it up?

Or am I an idiot for thinking this could be simple?

[pantablo]

everything you need to know for a reasonably good DIY rattle can job:

http://www.thegsresources.com/garage/gs_repaint.htm

[ThinkAgain]

That's just what I've been looking for!  You don't know how long I've been searching for a DIY on this!

After reading through that link, I don't know if I'm up to it, but I'll keep you posted if I decide to go through with it.

[Black Snowman]

That's only if you want it to look good Scott If you don't mind having a 20 foot paint job (only looks good from a distance) you can do it with a lot less work.

However for your goal of a deep rich red you should really go all out. A way you can save some money if you have someone else do it is to do some of the prep work yourself, or take the pieces you want painted off and take them in and that will save some dough too.

[Greg Gabis]

I have a nice red on my race bike. It's actually a Dodge color. Code: cus 23043 r4.

Can send a pic if you like.

I had mine done by a shop.  He had to do  lot of repair work to the tank and fairing. He did all the prep and a good primer on the tank and painted for $300. Well worth it for the amount of repair he had to do. It's a 10/10 job...looks good at 10 feet at 10 miles per hour (actually, it's better than that).

[ThinkAgain]

I need to call a couple of places and see what the rate would be for different stages of the process.  That way I might do the prep myself, or just let them do it.  Although, the prep seems to be the hardest part.  If I'm going to do that, I might as weel paint it too!

I'd love to see that red you have on your bike!  I saw a red called "sunrise red" yesterday (little darker than pure red) and it was awesome.

Now that I'm thinking of painting, I'm looking at the frame and thinking it could use a fresh coat too.  I'm really making some work for myself!

[ThinkAgain]

Anyone know where I can get replacement emblems for the tank?  Or should I bondo over the raised letters and leave them off?

Bike Bandit has them by Suzuki part no. but I don't know what each different color is by the part no.!

[The Buddha]

From what I have heard...From a very straight talking dude...$200 for a rattle can job will take tons of effort and elbow grease and still not look as nice or may have issues with curing/hardening than a sloppy compressor job and that will never give you trouble curing. Yea it costs $300 for just the compressor+sprayers etc (walmart and Homedepot) but evidently you can get $20 of paint, wet sand the existing paint just a little (assuming no dents or gouges) and spray the thing on top. Wait 10 mins, spray another, wait 20 mins and spray clear. That is supposed to be much better than anything a rattle can can do. Not my experience. Just here say.
Cool.
Srinath.

[ThinkAgain]

I wonder how the power sprayers like a Wagner do?  My dad has an air compressor and paint gun in storage, but it'd be a hassle to get it to my place.  Maybe I'll hold out and use it over my Christmas break.  I can't afford to do anything right now afterall, I think new tires are a priority!

[Black Snowman]

A Wagner will be worse than a rattle can job. They don't atomize the paint as well. The Wagners are OK for thick paints and stains for houses but won't give you a fine enough mist for a finish job on metal.