I read all the info on the boards about using spraypaint, followed most of them, and painted my "93 bike a beautiful flat black using Rusteolum High Performance Enamel. The tank would pick up fingerprints and minor marks from even a fingernail so I thought I would top coat it with Valspar clear protective acrylic satin finish. When I filled the tank, some gas spilled and the washed off. Is there anything tougher I can put on and maintain the satin finish? I figure I can spray it without having to take the tank off again, I just want something tougher. I thought about buying a small jar at a body shop and using a small spray gun I have at work.
On a seperate note, I found Valspar plastic primer and used that on the side panels and sprayed the Rustoleum on top of that. It looks GREAT. I did two light coats, the one side was too heavy, but not that bad, but it worked well.
I have to say that it gives my former purple bike a new life. Sorry Pandy, I couldn't take the abuse as a high school tech ed (shop) teacher riding a purple bike :laugh:
I like Krylon... but honestly... for a tank... gas will always bubble spray paint. You can have it poweder coated for really cheap though. I priced it here (if I stripped it completely myself) for 25-50 bucks depending on color and whether i wanted a primer. Having a good coatg proffessionally done will run like 150 - 200. If you dont bake the paint on most likely it will buble and dissolve from spraying.... i know from experience. Hope it helps...
You can only powdercoat if there is NO PAINT AT ALL on the metal. You can use aircraft stripper.... then wash with soap.... then sand from 400, 800, 1000, 1500, and 2000 grit paper. You'll have to remove all parts rubber (on/off valve for tank, petcock, brackets, etc) and make sure to even sand the corners on the bottom. Try krylon if you want to paint again with a can... let it sit in the sun for 2 days.... really it should be longer... as long as possible to let the paint harden all the way if you try again... this will give you the best shot at success.
Thanx,
Austin
Quote from: sellis on May 02, 2006, 06:50:30 PM
I have to say that it gives my former purple bike a new life. Sorry Pandy, I couldn't take the abuse as a high school tech ed (shop) teacher riding a purple bike :laugh:
No one's perfect. :icon_razz: :laugh: :kiss3:
My former '92 commuter had a rattlecan job, and he always shed paint like crazy. Even the magnet on my tankbag picked the black paint off the tank. I think for anything more than my ratbike, I'd go the professional route....