Need some insight on which I should do.
Paint on the bike doesnt look bad.
No dings or scratches that go past the clear.
but its an OLD paint job, if not the original 1987 job.
Would set sanding with 1200+ and preping it for fresh clear and then adding a few coats of fresh clear make it look brand new again? (or close)
or am I stuck going with a fresh paint job?
adidas, I seen you add fresh clear to some of your parts, what are your thoughts?
heres the pics the PO sent me prior to any clean up, polishing, or waxing.
(nasty)
(http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/376795_4286992254231_1695379835_n.jpg)
heres one of the tank (his photo, same as above)
(http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/391537_4286993614265_2049474231_n.jpg)
heres a section of the tank after I polished and waxed it.
(http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/423433_4310216154814_730608359_n.jpg)
and here it is in the same sunlight after I polished and waxed it.
(http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/555630_4310986854081_1999685994_n.jpg)
Yes I know it doesnt Look to need a paint job from a fresh clean up and being further away.
but the shine doesnt last as long as it would on a newer paint job.
and it doesnt look as flawless up close.
I keep it that nice by bustin my a$$ and cleaning it up Quite often.
Don't touch it. Looks better than my 2009 GS.
That's a tough call. If the paint looks intact, I would not sand it. It is already rough from the age and weather.
First, pick two small parts. On both, clean with a pre-painting cleaner like Semi-Soap to clean off all the grime. You can then use a smelly painting cleaner that Eastwood or Duplicolor sells to get the last bit of soap and oil off of it.
You now have a clean, naturally rough surface. If you do any sanding, do very little and make it wet sanding with very fine stuff. You do not know how much of the original color is still there and not weathered away. A little might be needed to remove heavily oxidized areas to even out the color - then if heavily oxidized - there is probably not much real color left there.
On one piece or in a spot of a big piece not really visible, try a hand buffing and waxing. Rubbing compound and polish. That may be all you need.
If not satisfactory, then try a clear coat on the other piece. 2kMax is the best in a can. A 2 part urethane.
If that is good, then do all parts that way (re-clean the part you polished to get the wax off.
If the clear coat does not look as good as you want nor the buffing, then time to sand and repaint.
Doing the two tests first MAY save you the need to repaint the whole bike. If you still need to repaint, then you haven't wasted too much time or money (maybe $25 and a couple hours). If polishing or clear works, then you have saved you all the time of sanding/priming/painting/clear-coat.
I say to test on small pieces and areas that are not out in the open so if you screw up, you did it on a part you won't notice.
Thanks.
Yeah I plan to do one of the red side covers.
As for washing, polishing, & waxing...
I've honestly done it WAYYYYYYYY too many times to keep it nice ONLY since the middle or towards the end of Aug.
As I was just saying on the SM forum.
There honestly doesnt seem to be much clear coat left (if really any)
overall, the red just looks very faded and Thin.
The color itself seems to be Very well intact overall on all the parts.
and yeah, you know me with the 2K clear.
as you were the one who told me about it.
http://www.repaintsupply.com/pd_2_part_2k_aerosol.cfm
already have one can otw for painting the stock lower fairings I was lucky enough to find cheap & unpainted.
So I will have Plenty left to test it out on one side fender.
appreciate the input & the compliment jester
If you've been waxing it, be sure to use Semi-Soap or other suitable prep to get that wax off before applying the clear.