Aloha! 

Quick question for everyone. I have seen bikes that are in good condition and in my price range but they have been purple. Not my kind of thing. So I was wondering how hard it would be to do a complete paint job on it? Not the frame, just the tank, plastics, and front wheel cover (can't think of the actual name right now.  )
How much would it cost? And how long would it take?

My spray paint experience consists of a practical joke on another high school. So pretty much none.

Any advice is appreciated! 

I rattle can bedliner painted mine for $12. DIY spray paint and clearcoat is basically about $100 after collecting materials and then a few days of time.

A more pro paint job could be anywhere from a few hundred to.....anything really.

if you are rattle can painting it.

just do some searching and read read read and read some more on the proper way to do it all.

Dont use junk if you want it to look good.

and if you want it to come out Really nice.
http://www.repaintsupply.com/pd_2_part_2k_aerosol.cfm
cheapest place to get it and the BEST spray can clearcoat you can buy!
just used a duplicolor clear on my headlight cowl and it came out like GARBAGE in comparison.
So I bought more paint to redo it and waiting on the clear from that site to arrive now.

I would have a list of links for you to go through and read.
but after pretty much memorizing it all and done with the major painting, I had no need for the bookmarks.


heres mine after my rattle can job.
was in the same boat as you.
first time painting anything other then a wall.

I repainted everything except the fork tubes.

and bare in mind
as nice as it looks.
its still VERY dirty and yet to be waxed.





the red is Duplicolor Retro Red Metal specks. ($12 a can)
Duplicolor white primer underneath. (under $10 a can)
the clearcoat I listed.
and the black is Duplicolor black enamel (around $10 a can)

Did you paint the chain?

Quote from: knowles on April 08, 2012, 08:45:37 PM
Did you paint the chain?

hahaha u know, I've been asked that more times then you would think.

I honestly dont think u can Safely paint a chain.

but no, I bought a red chain to match.

(edit)
and for stripping "JUST THE TANK"
Aircraft stripper. (any auto parts store will have it, auto zone, advanced auto etc etc)

I just put it on with a paintbrush, let it sit for a few mins and scraped it off with a small putty knife. (the tank)

took it down to the bare metal Sooo easily.

but Do Not use it on anything but metal.
it Will eat through the fairings.

thats a very clean 94 tomb. props for the awesome rattle can job!

Tomb that is a beautiful bike. I love the color. And the clear coat seems to have come out fantastic. How many cans of paint did you use?

BTW this may not be needed cuz I found a bike with good color  but who knows what will happen in the future! 

Anyways, how many coats of red did you do?

For just the rear fairings, tank and front fender.

I would say start out with 3 cans of color.

how many coats did I put on?

I honestly didnt keep track.
I read you can either let it Fully cure for days and lightly sand the top layer a little and add another coat. (rinse repeat until you get what you want)
or
Go over it with a nice "Light" coat each time and let it dry for like 15 mins before adding more.

I just hung my plastics and tank from my old apts clothes line.

went over each part Very lightly.
and just kept going from part to part until I got the desired look.

taking time in between to let it dry enough to apply another light layer.

Here's the rattle can "how-to" that I've used:
http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=10993.0

Thanks guys, this all helps out a bunch. 

For reference, about how much does it cost to have "a pro" do this?
A reasonably priced one, not super-high-end one

I know if there are any dents, the cost goes up. And I asked a pro how much to paint a tank and a fiberglass seat (for a cafe bike) and it was around $800.

I had a pro do mine on the side. He fixed a dent and a crack in the belly pan then painted a pearl color for $800. When I asked a pro paint shop that paints crazy custom harleys with lightening and fire, they quoted me $1500 for only a one-color paint job. No way! I found the guy doing it on the side on Craigslist and he did a great job using auto body paints and gloss coat. I have also been told you can sometimes humbly go to an auto body shop and quietly ask someone if they could do it on the side. I originally considered doing a rattle can job, but I just don't have a space to do it.