Hey All,

I was reading the September issue of Motor Cyclist when I saw on page 38 a Honda VTX1300.  The owner had painted it a matte black color using a rattle can.  After seeing this I wondered if I can do that myself.  Are there any general rules to  painting a bike?  Anybody have any tips?

P.S. My bike has been dropped several times (not by me yet) but the paint has seen better days.

Thanks,
Mark

It's all in the prep, and if you're going to put the effort in to prep it right, you should use the right paint, not hardware store rattlecans...

yup its all about the sanding, filler, base, color, and clearcoat.  You need to fill in the grooves and sand that puppy glass smooth.  Then you need to prime it.  A good prime will prevent orange peal and runs.  Color as stupid as it sounds plays a role.  Black is the hardest to paint it shows everything.  Green and white not blend more.  Finally your clearcoat will dictate the how good it looks.  If you did a great  job on everything else and f'd up the clear coat then you have to wet sand your @ss off. to get it back to decent.

Or if you want a flat black rat bike look, just buy some cheap rattle cans, maybe scuff up the surface with sand paper so it will stick, then spray it.  (mask off/cover anything you don't want paint on)  If it starts coming off or looking crappy, just apply more.  I think that was the effect that guy was going for with his VTX, he talks about how much he likes the gas stains on the tank

Quote from: Ladcar on August 25, 2007, 10:33:15 AM
Hey All,

I was reading the September issue of Motor Cyclist when I saw on page 38 a Honda VTX1300.  The owner had painted it a matte black color using a rattle can.  After seeing this I wondered if I can do that myself.  Are there any general rules to  painting a bike?  Anybody have any tips?

P.S. My bike has been dropped several times (not by me yet) but the paint has seen better days.

Thanks,
Mark

The flat black is the easyest color to applie, it covers everything and is easy to applie, put on a primer is best, but not neccesary, tape of the parts you dont want to get black,
then sand the part and put on a thin layer, let this dry for a few minutes,  ( this prevents runs ) then cover all with the second layer, remind not putting the nozzle to close to the surface. if its not after your likings put on a third layer with more distance this will add a flat structure witch covers actually every flaw.
looks like new... its easy

i was looking at that bike in the mag today, a great look for a rat bike.  don't forget to spill some gas on it

This is a good step by step painting guide:

http://www.thegsresources.com/garage/gs_repaint.htm