Ducati Monster Forum

I picked up some aluminum belt covers last summer that I had planned to strip down and polish, and I'm finally getting around to it.

I got some chemical stripper at HD and after two rounds of soaking and scrubbing with steel wool, there is still some stubborn paint that won't come off.

(http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/7852/beltcovers002.th.jpg) (http://img85.imageshack.us/i/beltcovers002.jpg/)

Any suggestions to get the last of the paint off? 

If you're going to polish don't be afraid to use some 400/600 grit paper in the open areas, or the judicious use of a knife to see if it will 'pick' off.

Try a heat gun to soften up the paint a bit, then a wire brush.

Get them media blasted, walnut shells or the like.

Here's a bigger pic...
(http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/7852/beltcovers002.jpg)

The famous penis belt covers.  :P

I like my penis, urrr, I mean penis belt covers.

Mine looked a lot like that.  Powder coater media blasted them and they look great now, IMHO.

(http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs042.snc3/12945_1233965659691_1545666740_612430_7906981_n.jpg)

I didn't have the strength of will to attempt this on my own, so I paid a professional and I'm pleased with the result and the cost.

(http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/8785/beltcoverspolished.th.jpg) (http://img23.imageshack.us/i/beltcoverspolished.jpg/)

Not the best picture, but you get the idea.

Bigger pic for those of us with old eyes.  :P

(http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/8785/beltcoverspolished.jpg)

Definitely NSFW.

Nice!

Thanks for the blow ups, Nick!

 [laugh]


That's about as far as my mad intarweb skillz go.  ;D

Did you ask for the logos on the dickie heads to be removed?

If you click on my young eyes picture, it takes you to a bigger version, which you can further enlarge by clicking again.  I use the thumbnails to avoid soaking up bandwidth.


Yes.

I want to figure out something to put in that blank label area.  Some kind of raised lettering or something.

Any suggestion for what to put in that blank spot that looks like it used to hold the ducati logo?

ncr logo.  70's style D.  elephant.  dynamic D.  new guitar pick logo.  jesus face. peace logo. leaf.  "from my cold, dead hands".

what are you into?

how 'bout Dickati?  [laugh]

actually I think I'm going to try and find one of the ducati wing logos from the singles, if it's the right size.

I found a guy on Ebay (in Australia no less) that made a cut vinyl 80's Ducati logo that size in white.  Matched my jacket, cost less than $10 and if I want to change it, I can.

I would think DESMODUE in '80s Darmah font would be the most appropriate, since it's the 2V valvetrain belt drive that its covering, and another Ducati logo would be redundant. There's one on the tank and on the clutch cover. Don't need it again 4 inches away on the belt cover.

hmm that's a really good point.

could someone (who is good at it) weld in a piece of aluminum? and then grind/sand/repolish? FLUSH THAT SHIT UP. UBER FLUSH.

IME, welding that kind of die-cast aluminum ends in tears.
Especially if you're intending to polish it out like the rest of it.

There's engraving places that make thin metal serial number plates and stuff.
I'd get something engraved on a thin metal plate, and use 6 tiny screws to hold it on.
Or 8, I'd have to have it in my hands.

yeah i was thinking screws or pop rivets for an industrial, old school kind of look.

the question I guess is what to put on the plate...

well duh.

it dawned on me "just put whatever was there before."

Originally it was Pantah, it seems, so I'm going to try and replicate with 'Monster' somehow.

(http://motoprofi.com/imgs/a/a/g/q/r/ducati_600_sl_pantah_1982_5_lgw.jpg)

How about "Welcome to Jamaica Have a Nice Day?"

*crickets*

If you need any custom decals made, don't hesitate to PM me. I can cut whatever you're looking for.