Hey all,

Now i've got my bike running thanks to something known as fuel (who would have thought bikes needed the stuff?!) my attention has started to turn to more cosmetic aspects of the bike. i am after all a 22year old lad, quite shallow at times!

anyways, turns out if needed i can get my hands on an air compressor and spray can so all i need to purchase is the paint. Suppose what i'm asking is would you suggest i give it a go myself or do you think i would be best paying a pro? i have minor experience in this area as i did make electric guitars at college and spray them but it was a Buddha Loves You getting time in the booths and havent done it in about 4years.

any thoughts?!

-KC-

Myself, along with several on this board, have had success using a rattle can to paint the tank and plastics.  If you prepare them well and take your time, the tank and plastics look pretty good IMO.

My bike is going to need an update on the paint soon. Atleast one more coat of the flat black with a nice clearcoat at minimum. If not I might go crazy with some gloss black. I already have an air compressor, so I'm definitely just going to buy a paint gun and some better paint and give that a shot. Getting things professionally painted is way beyond too expensive, assuming this isn't an MV Agusta tank we're talking about.

I say try the compressor.  I have had luck either way.  When done properly, I can make a rattle can with clear coat look better than a gun.  Hell, I can make the finish shinier than anything produced from most factories.  Fact is we all can with the right prep.  Try it and learn.

Personally I think doing it yourself with compressor or rattle can gives you more satisfaction and you learn in the process. Being that you have experience in the past you know there is nothing better then to see something you have created and even better is when people admire what you have done.

Anyone can spend the money but very few can put their heart and personality into a project! builds character and respect from others! 

DIY. Proper prep, and don't rush or try to take shortcuts. Good luck.

If you want factory-like paint go with bc/cc with two part urethane clear, it's the only paint that's truly gasoline proof.

Hey Guys,

Thanks for your feedback. you guys are definatly right, doing it myself is the way forward. i'm only going to balls it up if i have little confidence in myself. i'm gunna dig out my old notes on spray painting, do a little research and then the first chance i get in august shes going to get a new lick of paint = )

i'm also going to paint the downpipes black me thinks and give the nexxus can a bit of a clean. damn rusty marks!

i'll dig out a camera and get some before and after shots for you guys too. 

-KC-

I would get a water trap for the compressor, if not already there,  if that is how you are going to paint it.  If you are in a very non-humid area you might be fine without it but if even a little water gets into the mix it can wreak havoc on the paint.  Other than that good luck and take your time like everyone else here has mentioned.

well a friend of mine is insistant he can show me how to use rattle cans to get a really good effect. if he pulls it off then great. if not then i've told him hes prepping it for the spray gun and go half on the paint lol.

i'm not sure on the entire set up with the compressor though. its at the place my dad works but as they are just an electronic engineering and testing facility i'm not 100% sure if they have the booths like what i had at college....anti dust/humidity. but i'll definatly look at a water trap if thats not the case.

i'll definatly take my time though. no need to rush at all really = ) i reckon i could easily get it done over the weekend and be back on the road in time for work = )

-KC-

Rattle cans tend to dissolve in gasoline, they also scratch easier. Of course they take forever to cure and harden.
Cool.
Buddha.

natedawg is right on, if you use compressor get a filter/water trap- here in east texas you will drain @ least 1qt per day thanks to humidity.
aslo make sure the compressor is an "oil free" type- most new ones are, but the oiled type intrain too much oil to make them practical for shooting paint.

slightly off-topic:

Quote from: The Buddha on July 10, 2009, 08:47:33 AM
Rattle cans tend to dissolve in gasoline, they also scratch easier. Of course they take forever to cure and harden.
Cool.
Buddha.

Is there anything that comes in a spray can that helps protect against gas? (that's clear?)

or another alternative that's cheap/easy but still allowing paint to show through?

Quote from: RyanR on July 10, 2009, 09:59:50 AM
Is there anything that comes in a spray can that helps protect against gas?

Truck bed liner.