DIY Painting Tips

[ducpainter]

I make my living as a painter.

At some point I'll write up a how to, but in the meanwhile I'd be happy to field questions to get you started in the right direction so ask them here if you like.

[printman]

How hard is it to fix the old fiberglass, can't afford your services yet 


1993 900SS with broken fairing right side at the turn signal, 39,000 miles, pretty handy with tools, ex Suzuki tech, ummmmmm  oh yeah I fell down.

[Sgt_H]

How do you prep the belt covers for paint? 

Thanks

[Juan]

I make my living as a painter.

At some point I'll write up a how to, but in the meanwhile I'd be happy to field questions to get you started in the right direction so ask them here if you like.

Thanks for offering .. I will keep it in mind.. wt:

[LUKE]

You helped a member of TOB change decals on his S4RT.  I believe that there is a flat clear over the decal and I would love to know if there is a DIY solution for a change.
Thanks
Luke

[CETME]

How about the types of paint you will need.

If I went to the paint store, would I need just primer/color/clear?

What kind of primer would I ask for? Should I sand the primer coat? if so, with what? what about color? sand between each coat? or just at the end?

Thanks!

[NAKID]

How do you prep the belt covers for paint? 

Thanks

Depends really on what you're doing to them. A real high quality gloss job? Ask Nate.

As for me, I cleaned them with some dishsoap, dried them in the oven at about 150. Then I waited til they cooled and sprayed a couple of thin layers of American Tradition Satin BBQ Paint. Once dry, I cured them in the oven at about 200. Repeated that a couple times and wala...

[Sgt_H]

Depends really on what you're doing to them. A real high quality gloss job? Ask Nate.

As for me, I cleaned them with some dishsoap, dried them in the oven at about 150. Then I waited til they cooled and sprayed a couple of thin layers of American Tradition Satin BBQ Paint. Once dry, I cured them in the oven at about 200. Repeated that a couple times and wala...

Thanks for the paint tips.  My problem is more with the prep.  The previous owner or three didn't keep the bike very clean so there is old oil residue, and the covers had been painted once before.  That paint has mostly flaked off but some is still there.  I took a dremel with the wire brush attachment and tried to scrub off the old paint and some of it came off but not all of it. 

I guess what I'm asking is can/should I sand the old paint off?  Or is a chemical remover better?  I don't want to scar the surface with sand paper or use the wrong chemicals and eat up the cover.  Maybe a real fine grit sand paper? 

[DJ]

Hi DucPainter!

Yep, planning on finally tearing the ol' girl down to the bare metal this summer and getting her all purty. She runs like a demon, now time to cleaner her back up and make her look as good as she sounds.

I picked up a 30gal air compressor and two paint guns recently (large and small) but I'm a total newb with painting so will definitely be picking yer brain in the next few months!

dj

[Fresh Pants]

And so we have this info somewhere,

Ducati Dark Paint for DIYers.

PPG: 291.500

Color Rite: 7575

(close to matching) PlastiKote(rattle can): GM 7179

I've used the Color Rite (rattle can for a seat cowl) and thus far it's been spot on.

[ducpainter]

How hard is it to fix the old fiberglass, can't afford your services yet 


1993 900SS with broken fairing right side at the turn signal, 39,000 miles, pretty handy with tools, ex Suzuki tech, ummmmmm  oh yeah I fell down.

I've been with my son in the hospital....

I'll catch up...

The old SSs are not exactly fiberglass. They're FRP (fiberglass reinforced plastic) and can be repaired with glass or I've used SEM problem plastic repair. I prefer the latter. It's no harder than any glass repair except I always reinforce the back side, and just fill the front. Fiberglass-Evercoat makes a good FRP filler.

[ducpainter]

How do you prep the belt covers for paint? 

Thanks

I wash them with a good cleaner to remove oil and grease and then alchohol after the water has dried.
Scuff with a scotchbrite pad and re-clean with alcohol and let dry completely.

I use adhesion promoters and urethanes, but Krylon fusion adheres well, but isn't fuel or oil resistant.

[ducpainter]

You helped a member of TOB change decals on his S4RT.  I believe that there is a flat clear over the decal and I would love to know if there is a DIY solution for a change.
Thanks
Luke

Not really.

I don't think I put the decals on that job. What I did was to remove the red decals and re-spray and re-clear.

If it's the one I'm thinking of.

Are you in MI?

[ducpainter]

How about the types of paint you will need.

If I went to the paint store, would I need just primer/color/clear?

What kind of primer would I ask for? Should I sand the primer coat? if so, with what? what about color? sand between each coat? or just at the end?

Thanks!

That's a bunch of questions.   

I use a sandable modified epoxy surfacer, an activated urethane sealer, urethane base and activated acrylic urethane clear.

Sand for primer with P180. Sand primer with P400 dry, or P600 wet. Apply sealer and let dry according to manu recs. Only sand color to remove dust nibs...it shouldn't go on peely. Once you're satisfied with your color wait for the recommended time and then clear. 2-3 coats is good. I usually then sand the clear with P800 or 1000 wet and re-clear.

[ducpainter]

Thanks for the paint tips.  My problem is more with the prep.  The previous owner or three didn't keep the bike very clean so there is old oil residue, and the covers had been painted once before.  That paint has mostly flaked off but some is still there.  I took a dremel with the wire brush attachment and tried to scrub off the old paint and some of it came off but not all of it. 

I guess what I'm asking is can/should I sand the old paint off?  Or is a chemical remover better?  I don't want to scar the surface with sand paper or use the wrong chemicals and eat up the cover.  Maybe a real fine grit sand paper? 

Don't use chemical strippers on plastic unless you find one that's recommended. It will undoubtedly make it swell because of all the bare plastic.

I'd sand with 400 dry.