Is anyone here experienced in painting?

[Adam Fraser]

I would like to paint my bike this fall and was wondering about suggestions on painting tips, how to's, equpiment etc.

Anyone know any good websites?

Which gun should I use HVLP, Siphon, Gravity feed? (not spray can)

What kind of Paint?

Anything else that may be of help.

I know the basics of prep work and the such, but have never attempted a full blown paint job before this.  Thanks for any info you can give me.

[Adam R]

I used a DuPont Nason urethane (Black) and am happy with the paint, except for the run I put it in on the left side of the tank (I'll probably sand it with 1500 and try to buff it out)   The color is awesome though.  It's really dark black.

I don't remember what type of sprayer I used, it wasn't gravity fed though.


Adam

[500rider]

Me too!  i want to repaint my katana.

What's the best way to remove the decals?

I have alot of prep work to do because the plastic is broken in several places.  

I am thinking of just doing the prep work and then taking it to a body shop for paint.  I don't have any of the paint equipment and I'm not crazy about getting paint all over the garage.

[The Buddha]

You prolly should use HVLP and get paint that is right to be used with that gun. Also get a refridgerator box or a 50 inch+ TV box or a couple of closet boxes from U haul and make yourself a booth. You also probably need a breathing filter and some heat dishes if you dont have those. Painting in winter is not exactly the best idea...too cold and wet mostly to let paint cure up well. But compressor and spray gun will be the best choice.
Cool.
Srinath.

[JamesG]

I tried painting some parts with auto paint one time with an electric sprayer (wagner power painter), that was a disaster...  Luckily a friend knew an experianced painter who shot the parts pretty cheap.

I now own a compressor but am still shy of trying to spray my own paint.
It is something of an art that I don't have time to learn.  Spray paint works for racebikes (the 50/50 rule), but for good jobs, I'd rather do the prep and have someone who knows what they are doing shoot the finish.

That was one reason I decided to do a "dark" finish on my KLR.  Rattle cans are just capable of doing a simple semi-gloss finish, and even then most took several coats to look right.

[The Buddha]

That actually is why rattle canning is harder than compressor/gun...Rattle can paint is too thin...Has to be to be able to come out with just a little pressure from the propellany, it also comes out very thin, needs several coats to give proper depth of color thereby causing many skin and run problems. With the compressor and HVLP system you set the thing to spray out paint thick as paste (in relative terms) so that 1-2 coats and clear will do it. They also set the catalysts and have the thing harden good under varying weather conditions...which rattle cans quite often forget. Gun and compressor is easier and effectively cannot miss.
Cool.
Srinath.

[Moose]

That actually is why rattle canning is harder than compressor/gun...Rattle can paint is too thin...With the compressor and HVLP system you set the thing to spray out paint thick as paste (in relative terms) so that 1-2 coats and clear will do it. Gun and compressor is easier and effectively cannot miss.
Cool.
Srinath.

This is very true, but you still have to know a little about using a gun and compressor or you are going to still end up with runs(having the paint come out too thick) or orange peel (scarce flow of the applied film).  It does take a certain amount of time to learn how to paint correctly and have it come out looking good.  I have noticed that even though orange peel is considered a defect when painting a vehicle, alot of people are now trying to achieve this effect.  You also have to take your time with the prep work as well as the painting.  If not you are liable to make more of a mess than you really want.  If you decide to do the prep work and paint, here is a link that is really descriptive on what you will need and do to make sure everything comes out correct.
http://forum.arstechnica.com/forum/ubb/Forum9/HTML/000620.html
This isn't specific to vehicles (Its for painting Computer cases) but after reading the post it has very useful info for those who want to do it yourself. Good Luck