paint opinions?

[ladybrid]

Ok, so I was just fine with my bike just how it was, black and metalic grey, stock colors.  As much fun as custom paint is it seemed really frivolous for my small budget bike.  I was just about to post pics, since the loonies at the DMV actually gave me my M1, and the cobra can is on.

But I was at Kragen with my friend, and I saw the cool color change rattle can kits (primer,color and gloss) in a purple to green shift.  And I went "oooh aaaaah", so he throws it in the basket and next thing I know he's pulled the back plastics, and the chain guard off and says "sand this".
It is soooo pretty, and while it was funny before that my little GS was like the mini-me shadow to his black and silver gxxr, the color suits me more!
So we are going to get another set of rattle cans and do the front fender, and the cafe fairing... here's the debate... to do the tank or not...

We have to take it off to do the jet kit... and we have the tools and skills to tape off the stock lettering and sand and all (finally an application for random art classes).  Would it look just fine and decently "finished" to leave the tank black?  (It's that 98 "pearl" black with the faint blue metallic sparkle in the right light)

I'm up for people to weigh in.    

[mrslush50]

paint it.

[glenn9171]

You can't have most of the bike one color and the tank left stock.  Paint the damned thing!

[klimber]

for a good paint job you might want to just remove the letters off the tank

you can put new letters on before you clear coat it!

denniskirk has new stickers

when i repainted my tank i did this extra work and was very very happy i did

tank stickers were maybe $15 for the set

[The Buddha]

Well The rattle can paint isn't as good quality as the stock...Rattle can paint tends to not cure very well and after a few months of sun and age it turns brittle unless you used that bumper acrylic paint for the plastics. Also You should use a lacquer based paint for the tank, so it may have a hard time matching. That's why I have not painted anything so far...and the fact that I am lazy...The worst compressor and spray gun paint job will beat the best spray can and with time it will deteriorate less.
Cool.
Srinath.

[klimber]

also, from experience

rattle can paint on teh tank and magnetic tank bags don't go well together

the magnets pull and hold to the tank so well that a friends paint job has a little grid pattern on it

[ladybrid]

That kinda makes the vote against painting the tank... while the cool factor weighs in for painting it, the fact that it is rattle can paint goes against...  it stays out of the sun for storage, and I don't mind if I have to repaint the plastic, but wear and tear on the tank is going to be too harsh for rattle can paint, and I can't afford the "real deal" for any of it.

[pantablo]

Another member here (amizzle? from santa barbara) painted his that color and spilled gas on the tank...that paint doesnt hold up well to gasoline.

[ladybrid]

Maybe I'll find a really tough clear coat to go over the clear coat that was in the kit?

[The Buddha]

The only advice I have for anyone wanting to paint stuff wiht a rattle can is....Be ready to do it every year...Even the best looking jobs wear pathetically...If I have to paint stuff and I am trying my damnedest not to...I am buying a compressor and spraying it in my garage. Oh yea...I painted my virago fender last winter (January 03) and it stoof out a little for a month...then it started wearing a little and looked normal, right now it looks like it was before I painted it...whooohoooo....
Cool.
Srinath.

[Gisser]

Gee, the stock black & metallic grey sound like the best colors a guy could want.  Resist the temptation, I say.  You won't regret it when it comes time to sell the bike.

[ladybrid]

lol, if I was a guy then I probably could have resisted, heh...

I'm not worried about resale value, I fully expect to ride this bike into the ground for a number of reasons.  (no, I'm not going to abuse it, I just don't forsee needing more within the resaleable life of the bike, unless I win the lottery or something!)

I think I'll just stick with the plastics unless I can come up with a test piece to see if the paint is gasoline proof.

[miket]

Go to a junkyard, take a scrape piece of metal and paint it. Then pour gas onto it to test the paint. Don't test it on your tank!

[JasonB]

I woulda traded you purple parts for your black parts..

[pantablo]

I woulda traded you purple parts for your black parts..

....hairy gutter..
:nana:

[JasonB]

I woulda traded you purple parts for your black parts..

....hairy gutter..
:nana:

HAH!

Now Srinath is gonna ask to swap his white stuff he has been trying to trade off on everyone...

:guns:  :guns:

[ladybrid]

ROTFL

1) I know I have something that will work to test paint that has nothing to do with my bike.
2) It's not *just* purple, I'm trying to take a pic, but the lighting won't cooperate.
3)    ROTFL

[toober]

Here's what you do.

- Take your tank off and sand it for prep.
- Primer
- shoot the purple green can(s) of paint only. You should be able to find  
them sold seperetaly.
- Go to an auto paint or PPG paint dealer. Get their best clear coat.
- Make sure the clear won't melt the paint you just put on.
- apply two solid coats of clear, sand w/ 2000 grit paper and shoot two more coats. Resand w/ 2500 grit and buff it out w/ a polish.

You should be able to save some coin and protect your tank as well.

[The Buddha]

I woulda traded you purple parts for your black parts..

....hairy gutter..
:nana:

HAH!

Now Srinath is gonna ask to swap his white stuff he has been trying to trade off on everyone...

:guns:  :guns:

You got it back asswards....I want white...I have nearly all other colors atleast 1 piece ... So purple for what color Jason...How about I trade you my yosh pipe for the purple...
Cool.
Srinath.

[The Buddha]

If you are painting it black...or porcelain white...the best paint I have found that resists gas quite well, cures up just fine and overall acts pretty decent...and weathers fine is...appliance epoxy. Black is black...but no metal flake...And ppg clear coat on cheap lacquer will still peel off in ~ a year.
Cool.
Srinath.