rattle can color match "dark"

[COP TZR]

Hi folks.  I was curious to know if anybody has had success to color matching the "dark" Ducati paint with spray cans available over the counter.  I'm looking to spray my seat cowl and SBK front fender and trying to do it on the cheap.  What brand paint, color, code, did you use? Also what about primers, if any? 

I also want to paint my stock rearsets and upper triple tree to match the frame (glossy metalic black).  What did you use?  Can the same paint be used to paint the headlight trim ring and the cam belt covers?

thanks!

[Duckintime]

I think this was covered once before long time ago. From what I remember, it was hard to duplicate if not impossible to get over the counter. But hopefully someone else can chime in. Another thought, although more work  is to paint the tank and the body work gloss black. Id recommend powder coating the rear sets and triple for durability reasons. Any good quality paint can be used for the cam belt covers and headlight trim ring. The better paint jobs are all in the prep

[Mr Earl]

I used a Krylon color, I think either semi-flat black or satin black, to paint a SBK front fender.  It's not an exact match, and I wouldn't try to touch up a tank ding with it, but it's very close.  I'm at work, but will post back when I can confirm.  Oh, also - followed the black with Krylon satin clear coat and that really tuned it up.

[Mr Earl]

Krylon Interior/Exterior Semi-Flat Black + Krylon Satin clearcoat. 

[COP TZR]

Got any pics?  I'd like to see the contrast.

Krylon Interior/Exterior Semi-Flat Black + Krylon Satin clearcoat. 

[Bones]

I was experimenting with different rattle cans from the auto parts store (because NO ONE carries the Plasti-Kote color that is supposed to be a very good match) and found one that matches 98%.

I wouldn't use it for touch up (i.e. blending in to the original paint) nor would i use it to paint a tank, but definitely would use it on fenders, cowls, or stuff like that.  I used it on my headlight bucket and windshield fairing.

I have to check when I get home, but its an import car color......



oh.... for the triple and frame bits, I highly recommend VHT epoxy frame paint.   like the title says, its a spray-on epoxy paint especially made for frames.   I painted my upper triple and lower triple clamps, as well as rearsets and some parts of the engine casing.

since the belt covers are plastic, I would recommend the krylon plastic paint.

[scott_araujo]

I've painted a superbike front fender to match the rest of my bike, looks good and has held up well for over a year now.

Duplicolor Truck, Van and SUV T090 Universal Black.  That's gloss so over the top I used Krylon Flat Clear.  These two can both be found everywhere.  They make a T095 universal flat black but I don't know if it matches and have never seen it at the store. 

It's not a perfect match but I'd say it's 95% on my '03 800 Dark.  Good enough that posting pictures wouldn't help you see the difference.  The original Ducati color has tiny metallic flecks in several colors.  The metallic flecks in the Duplicolor are just a bit different and in bright light at just the right angle the color looks like it has just a hint more of a gold hue to it.  Up close (like less than 6 inches) the tiny flecks seem a bit brighter and maybe more colorful.

It's good enough that when I show people my bike I have to point out that it's a SBK fender I painted myself, it's not obvious from a color mismatch.  Go buy the two cans, paint something like a tin can, and hold it next to the bike.  You'll then know if it's close enough for your taste for less than $20.  Ducpainter has commented here several times on how hard it is to match the Dark black color and how hard it is to get just the right amount of 'matte' to the finish.  Also, other people have commented that Dark can vary from year to year and even the company that makes the paint code matched spray cans for $30 each is not perfect.

This is rattle can so gasoline will harm it pretty easily.  I've heard that PlastiKote GM7179 with a flat over it is also a good match but couldn't find that anywhere I looked.  Hope this helps.

Scott

[COP TZR]

So a flat clear is the trick I guess.  I'm not looking for 100% match since my tank has already been resprayed and I don't think its the "true" dark metalic paint.  As long as I can get it pretty close so the entire bike looks uniform.  Are you folks using a primer or do these products have self priming agents in them already?

Can anyone post pics of their paint work?

thanks

I've painted a superbike front fender to match the rest of my bike, looks good and has held up well for over a year now.

Duplicolor Truck, Van and SUV T090 Universal Black.  That's gloss so over the top I used Krylon Flat Clear.  These two can both be found everywhere.  They make a T095 universal flat black but I don't know if it matches and have never seen it at the store. 

It's not a perfect match but I'd say it's 95% on my '03 800 Dark.  Good enough that posting pictures wouldn't help you see the difference.  The original Ducati color has tiny metallic flecks in several colors.  The metallic flecks in the Duplicolor are just a bit different and in bright light at just the right angle the color looks like it has just a hint more of a gold hue to it.  Up close (like less than 6 inches) the tiny flecks seem a bit brighter and maybe more colorful.

It's good enough that when I show people my bike I have to point out that it's a SBK fender I painted myself, it's not obvious from a color mismatch.  Go buy the two cans, paint something like a tin can, and hold it next to the bike.  You'll then know if it's close enough for your taste for less than $20.  Ducpainter has commented here several times on how hard it is to match the Dark black color and how hard it is to get just the right amount of 'matte' to the finish.  Also, other people have commented that Dark can vary from year to year and even the company that makes the paint code matched spray cans for $30 each is not perfect.

This is rattle can so gasoline will harm it pretty easily.  I've heard that PlastiKote GM7179 with a flat over it is also a good match but couldn't find that anywhere I looked.  Hope this helps.

Scott

[scott_araujo]

If this is for a tank, you might want to reconsider.  Gas spilled on rattle can paint tends to peel it right off.  There are 2K clear coats that are two part curing and come in rattle cans but I haven't seen them in flat.  Also, you need to make sure your rattle can paint is totally cured before you clear it according to Ducpainter who knows his business.

Existing paint lightly scuffed with something like 400 grit makes a great base layer for new paint.  Separate primer isn't usually needed unless you have bare metal or are making a drastic color change and are worried about coverage.  I didn't use primer when I sprayed black over factory red.  It's holding up well but I needed many coats to get good coverage, 2 or 3 cans if I recall.

Scott

[COP TZR]

I won't be painting the tank, just a red front SBK fender and a black seat cowl.  Sounds like you've had success without priming and you too have painted a red fender.  I will try to search for these mfg. paints here. 

If this is for a tank, you might want to reconsider.  Gas spilled on rattle can paint tends to peel it right off.  There are 2K clear coats that are two part curing and come in rattle cans but I haven't seen them in flat.  Also, you need to make sure your rattle can paint is totally cured before you clear it according to Ducpainter who knows his business.

Existing paint lightly scuffed with something like 400 grit makes a great base layer for new paint.  Separate primer isn't usually needed unless you have bare metal or are making a drastic color change and are worried about coverage.  I didn't use primer when I sprayed black over factory red.  It's holding up well but I needed many coats to get good coverage, 2 or 3 cans if I recall.

Scott

[slauster]

I have found that the duplicolor caliper paint works well.  Better than regular spray paints. Reason being is that it is a harder paint. Once it sits in the sun for a while it is pretty durable.  Works great for metals.

[scott_araujo]

If you're not painting the tank you should be fine.  Where are you located?  I'm in the US, Portland, OR.  I was able to find the Duplicolor at most auto stores and the Krylon at craft and home improvement stores.

If I were to do it again I'd probably use some black primer just for color coverage.  I used a lot of paint to cover the red.  Either way works.

Oh, in Krylon there is Gloss, Satin, and Matte.  I used Matte.  I tried Satin but it was still too shiny.

Scott

[xcaptainxbloodx]

another in pdx huh? why arent you hitting up the tuesday night coffee in beaverton? hmmmmm


id love to see some pics of these, ive got a thruxton windscreen that ive been meaning to drop off at the painter, he wants 75$ to paint it. seems high, but then again I was spoiled with a painter doing me a favor for a 60$ paint job on the rest of my bike.

[scott_araujo]

Never been to the Tuesday coffee.  I've got a 3 month old son so if I come the whole family is probably coming.  But that's fine, we hate sitting around the house

Send me a PM and you can come by and look at my bike/fender before you decide on spending the money or doing it yourself.

Scott

[COP TZR]

So a matte Krylon and matte clear coat should do it.  I live up in Toronto, Canada.  so I'll have to try our parts source or NAPA, maybe even Walmart.

If you're not painting the tank you should be fine.  Where are you located?  I'm in the US, Portland, OR.  I was able to find the Duplicolor at most auto stores and the Krylon at craft and home improvement stores.

If I were to do it again I'd probably use some black primer just for color coverage.  I used a lot of paint to cover the red.  Either way works.

Oh, in Krylon there is Gloss, Satin, and Matte.  I used Matte.  I tried Satin but it was still too shiny.

Scott