Paint Spec and Clear Coat removal?

[scotch_rocket]

This is a two part question:

1.  Does anyone out there know the EXACT color of red for this style tank? 



2.  What is the best way to prep my tank since the clear coat is starting to peel off, so I can re coat the entire tank?

Basically my tank has some chips and scrapes from the past 20 years, and I really want to keep the original look but want to touch up the spots (most no bigger then the size of a BB) and one scrape (covered by the 89 sticker) and reapply some enamel clear coat.

Is this possible, practical, and/or a waste of good riding time?  Thanks for the help.

[Danny500]

Look in the WIKI under colors.. it should shoot you a color code for the year/color of the bike. If not, GOOGLE a search for Suzuki GS500 RED, or RED 89 SUZUKI and see what pops up.

As for prep... if you're just going to re-coat... give it a GOOD sanding... if you're going to bare metal... get it sand blasted.. or use Aircraft Paint Stripper... then, you can go nuts with bondo, blocking, sealer, primer, and base coat.

[Farakin]

I would use 600 grit to take the clear off and it will also rough the paint underneath up a bit for adhesion.  If you have any bare metal showing go with a lower grit and use the 600 to smooth the edges and hit it with a sandable primer.

Then paint.