I have a set of handle bar controls I'd like to clean up and paint.I've painted a lot of plastic parts,so I know I can do it.As far as the words,I don't care about them.They're gone any way.Maybe it's safety feature not to have lettering on the controls.Has anyone painted their controls?What did you use and how is it holding up?My bike is stored inside a fully enclosed out building when not in use,so weathering shouldn't be a problem.

Quote from: ben2go on March 13, 2008, 12:44:46 PM
I have a set of handle bar controls I'd like to clean up and paint.I've painted a lot of plastic parts,so I know I can do it.As far as the words,I don't care about them.They're gone any way.Maybe it's safety feature not to have lettering on the controls.Has anyone painted their controls?What did you use and how is it holding up?My bike is stored inside a fully enclosed out building when not in use,so weathering shouldn't be a problem.

I used some regular spray paint on mine when I first got the bike. Looked great for a few months, then the sun got it. It look almost sparkly now. Guess it's the plastic getting dry again. If I were to do it again I'd re-do the paint in the lettering to make it really look sharp, and use UV resistant paint

I am going to dye the ones on my project bike. I will use a spray dye or plasti-kote paint

http://www.plastikote.com/plastikote/index.jsp

At work we have small sets of rub/stick on letters that look just like the ones on there now  Im guessing that I can put them on and just cover that area w some clear or even just clear nail polish 

If you do it before me be sure and post some before and after pics 

Quote from: ohgood on March 13, 2008, 02:55:39 PM

Quote from: ben2go on March 13, 2008, 12:44:46 PM
I have a set of handle bar controls I'd like to clean up and paint.I've painted a lot of plastic parts,so I know I can do it.As far as the words,I don't care about them.They're gone any way.Maybe it's safety feature not to have lettering on the controls.Has anyone painted their controls?What did you use and how is it holding up?My bike is stored inside a fully enclosed out building when not in use,so weathering shouldn't be a problem.

I used some regular spray paint on mine when I first got the bike. Looked great for a few months, then the sun got it. It look almost sparkly now. Guess it's the plastic getting dry again. If I were to do it again I'd re-do the paint in the lettering to make it really look sharp, and use UV resistant paint

I'm planning to use satin black trim paint from Pro Autobody Products.I did the mirrors on my car three years ago and they still look good,especially if I wash it.

Quote from: scottpA_GS on March 13, 2008, 03:06:43 PM

I am going to dye the ones on my project bike. I will use a spray dye or plasti-kote paint

http://www.plastikote.com/plastikote/index.jsp

At work we have small sets of rub/stick on letters that look just like the ones on there now  Im guessing that I can put them on and just cover that area w some clear or even just clear nail polish 

If you do it before me be sure and post some before and after pics 

I was planning to do it tomorrow,but the news says it's gonna rain.Maybe saturday.I'll have to foto the disassembly on my bike,then foto the controls I plan to paint.There the set I have for my project bike.I'll try to put it here and/or on the wiki.  I'll be famous!  My name will be up in internet wiki lights! 

Well,it rained today and will rain most of the day saturday.  I am hoping to get some progress sometime this weekend.I don't think it'll take more than an hour or two. 

I haven't forgotten about this thread.The weather has been crappy.It's either rainy or the wind is blowing so bad you kan't do anything.I'm still doing this asap and the 6 position gear indicator. 

Quote from: ben2go on March 19, 2008, 10:21:13 PM
I haven't forgotten about this thread.The weather has been crappy.It's either rainy or the wind is blowing so bad you kan't do anything.I'm still doing this asap and the 6 position gear indicator. 

You haven't forgotten, eh? 

Seriously though, how's this part coming along? 

Quote from: pronator on July 17, 2008, 02:29:28 PM

Quote from: ben2go on March 19, 2008, 10:21:13 PM
I haven't forgotten about this thread.The weather has been crappy.It's either rainy or the wind is blowing so bad you kan't do anything.I'm still doing this asap and the 6 position gear indicator. 

You haven't forgotten, eh? 

Seriously though, how's this part coming along? 

OHHHH ! I been called out.I did forget.
I did get them done but I did them at night.They didn't come out to well.I ran out of the paint that is made for plastic and tried a paint that is made for all surfaces.Needless to say it wrinkled up and peeled off.If I had the correct paint,it would have turned out better.My phone cam is the only cam I got.They flash makes everything turn colors in pics,but does alright in bright light.  So,I didn't take any pics.I did strip the switches out of the plastic housings and paint just the black housings.I never found any white letters small enough to go back on.Mine were gone.A hobby shop or craft shop may have something that would work.Hope this gives some idea of what I did.It's a little crumby that I did all that work and the paint didn't take.Oh,I should mention that I used a 320 grit sanding sponge to rough the surface for paint.That is what I use to do plastic auto trim and mirrors.It works great coupled with the type of paint I use.I use satin black trim paint from Pro Autobody Products.Most All Pro auto parts stores have it.NAPA carries a quality Dupli color paint,but I have no experience with it.I guess just follow the directions.The paint I use I've tested and tried different things.I know how and what to use for it to stay looking good.This is all I can add other than take pics of the controls as you disassemble them.I made a chart to mark what wire goes where when I removed the electric connectors.I did this to clean the connectors/switches inside,keep paint out of the switches,and so I could add some dielectric grease to the connectors and switches.It also makes it a lot easier to paint the housings without having to fight the wiring and where it passes thru the control housings.

  You're a good sport!

Thanks for all the info on the paint. I was mostly concerned about taking everything out of the housing. It sounds like that wiring was complicated. I'm still trying to see if I can paint just the ignition switch from the faded pink to red again. I'm afraid that if I paint all the housing a nice satin black, it's only going to highlight all the other faded parts around it. 

While I have your attention (and knowledge), do you know if the Kat 600 controls (1999) are a straight swap? Thanks for your help! 

They will swap over.I don't think they need any modifications.Not 100% on that.They can't need much seeing how they fit the same size handle bars.I am planning to try a set over winter,if I can find a good set cheap enough.

I painted my control over 2 months ago and they look great ! I used krylon high heat just like most of the rest of my bike and it worked just fine. Be sure to clean them very well with soap and water or use a good paint prep spray, mar-hyde makes a good one called total prep. I also rubbed thm with a scotchbrite pad to give them a little tooth for the paint to stick to.

lopee, thanks for the paint info!  Wanna post some pics so I can drool in admiration? 

ben2go, I was more concerned about the wiring but it sounds like that'd all be about the same. Maybe I'll start another thread to see if anyone else is in the know.

Quote from: pronator on July 17, 2008, 09:18:47 PM


ben2go, I was more concerned about the wiring but it sounds like that'd all be about the same. Maybe I'll start another thread to see if anyone else is in the know.