Ducati Monster Forum

Hey guys,

I've just ordered an integrated LED taillight for my '99 Monster Dark 600, and will perform a tail chop as soon as it arrives. And since I'm going to be chopping up and repainting part of the frame I figured I might as well consider some other cosmetic touch ups whilst I'm at it.

Due to a bit of leaked battery acid the engine (alternator?) cover on the left side of the bike has suffered some fairly ugly corrosion, so I want to repaint the engine covers to freshen up the bike. I've heard VHT paint is pretty good for this. Does anyone have any words of wisdom on doing this?

The bike's frame was also yellow originally and some of the paint on the frame and wheels has flaked/chipped off so I'll touch them up at the same time.

I was also wondering whether it's possible to do anything with the exhaust pipes at the bottom of the bike (which have turned brown/rusty(?))? Is this possible with paint?

Here's a little photoshop mockup of the sort of "freshening up" I'd like to do:

The bike as is:
(http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/2760/ducreduced.jpg)

Its possible future?
(http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/4281/ducreduced2.jpg)

Or maybe this?
(http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/1964/ducreduced3.jpg)

Any thoughts or opinions on this? Do you like it/not like it? I'm very new to bikes so any suggestions or advice would be much appreciated.

Cheers,

Mark

Welcome Mark!

Several people on here have used VHT engine paint for cases and case covers.  Duck Stew for one.  Do a search for "VHT," and I think you'll find what you're looking for. 

Another way to go is powdercoating, provided there's someone in your area who does this.  I just had my case covers (clutch and alternator) powdercoated satin black. 

As far as painting your pipes/cans, there's two ways to go: high-temp paint or ceramic coating.  The latter requires a shop that does the application and treatment, whereas painting is easily done at home.  I painted the exhaust on my Monster with mixed results.  Like any coating, prep is the name of the game.  Clean/sand off all the rust and dirt and after applying the paint, follow the manufacturer's directions for curing/drying.

For painting tips, look up Ducpainter's DIY Painting Tips in the Tech forum.

You can get the brown off those pipes with metal polish and some elbow grease.  Mine look new after spending a few hours with them.  I started by scrubbing them good with WD40 and a ScotchBrite pad.  Wiped them down real good after that, then used metal polish to get a nice silvery color. I have to redo it occasionally, but definitely worth the effort.

Thanks guys, those are both really helpful replies  [thumbsup] I'll pick up some metal polish next week.

If you want to polish the pipes, get a small orbital sander and use scotchbrite.  Too hell with elbow grease.  Just keep it moving and finish with copper gauze.

I painted my belt covers.  Clean them with brake parts cleaner to remove grease, then sand them with 000 gauze.  Wipe them down with MEK to get the dust off.  I used regular engine paint on them, two coats (must apply second coat within about 10 minutes).  If its warm out, let them sit for a couple of days to dry.

Very carefully reinstall them.  The paint will cook on once then engine is warm. 

I highly recommend using a flat or satin paint.  The gloss will show EVERY imperfection and scratch.

I put some vinyl on my belt covers, but made sure to clean them very good before-hand.  I actually put the belt covers in the dishwasher on the pots-n-pans setting.  Came out perfectly clean, even in the tough to reach areas on the inside.  [cheeky]

that's actually a great idea for cleaning them, the hot water + dish detergent should work well, just make sure to get all the soap residue and water off

try ez-off oven cleaner on those pipes. then as others have suggested, scotch-brite pads.
it works perfect.