This is a two part question:
1. Does anyone out there know the EXACT color of red for this style tank?
(http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2182/173/110/1124006746/n1124006746_30108522_5593.jpg)
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.
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.
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.