How hard is removing and replacing Crank Case Cover and Clutch Cover to paint?

[The ModFather]

I'd like to either paint and bake or powder coat the two sides black (not the fins just the case covers). The bolts to remove these two covers on either side appear to readily accessible and obviously all the oil would be drained. Overall how hard is it to remove these two covers on either side and then replace them after painting or powder coating?
Any caveats e.g. gaskets, sealing, rubber bits that could be damaged by powder coating? Looks fairly straight forward but looks can be decieving.

Lastly recommendations on powder coating vs. painting? I'd like to mask off the DUCATI logo on the clutch cover to keep it silver (if that makes a difference).

[ducatiz]

drain the oil

take them off.

paint

put back on

put oil back in.

[The ModFather]

drain the oil

take them off.

paint

put back on

put oil back in.

I was hoping you'd say that... 

[The ModFather]

Paint and Bake or PowderCoat ?? anyone....

[memper]

I think it would depend on what kind of paint and application you have access to.

DP?

[DarkMonster620]

Paint and Bake or PowderCoat ?? anyone....

I painted mines with regular black paint and red for the logo

[The ModFather]

Regular? I know there's engine paint designed to withstand temps. I dont have access to any fancy painting gear so it's either powder coat or a calculated rattlecan job with whatever direction I get here... (clean, prime, coat, bake with engine running or in the oven?, anything after that?) with the right materials. I'm treading unknown waters here.

[DarkMonster620]

Regular? I know there's engine paint designed to withstand temps. I dont have access to any fancy painting gear so it's either powder coat or a calculated rattlecan job with whatever direction I get here... (clean, prime, coat, bake with engine running or in the oven?, anything after that?) with the right materials. I'm treading unknown waters here.

As per very, very, very experienced DMFers, no need, and indeed, no need . . . it was scratched from the low side and were it's peeling off, it's my fault, brake fluid spill and Brake Cleaner over-spray . . .

Took the covers off, cleaned them with lots of water and soap, then "I" cleaned them with parts cleaner, again with water, cleaned inside for oil, then laid blue masking on the edges and used newspaper to cover the inside so no paint would get inside, since I painted the DUCATI in red, I first painted the DUCATI with red paint, used and old hair dryer to heat up the cover and applied a few coats of red . . .never thought of using the oven to cure . . . then I taped the DUCATI, that was red with blue masking tape[asked wife to make the cuts for me], and cleaned around the logo very gently, just to take any grease from hands of the cover and proceeded to spray black paint, for some reason I used gloss black . . . for the alternator, just sprayed black . . .

[ducatiz]

Regular? I know there's engine paint designed to withstand temps. I dont have access to any fancy painting gear so it's either powder coat or a calculated rattlecan job with whatever direction I get here... (clean, prime, coat, bake with engine running or in the oven?, anything after that?) with the right materials. I'm treading unknown waters here.

http://www.vhtpaint.com/

clean well, degrease a few times, clean again.

VHT primer and VHT paint.

Put it in a warm oven or in a hot place.  Leaving it in the sun is fine.

The trick is to use thin coats and build up a couple.  Likewise, before you paint, put the paint in hot water (from the tap) and warm up the can.  Then shake the can for about 20 minutes (yeah, you won't do 20, but you might do 5). 

Warm rattle-can paint atomizes better.  The smaller the droplets, the better the coverage.

Thin coat, wait 10 min (repeat).

If you want to really put a solid color on it, use Lauer Duracoat.  You'll have to buy the sprayer (Preval) which is about $15.  Lauer is made for firearms and withstands pretty much everything that isn't radioactive.

[The ModFather]

Do I need to apply a sealant to the clutchcover and crankcase cover when I put them back on. I'm worried about ending up with a bike that leaks oil. 

[The ModFather]

http://www.vhtpaint.com/

clean well, degrease a few times, clean again.

VHT primer and VHT paint.

Put it in a warm oven or in a hot place.  Leaving it in the sun is fine.

The trick is to use thin coats and build up a couple.  Likewise, before you paint, put the paint in hot water (from the tap) and warm up the can.  Then shake the can for about 20 minutes (yeah, you won't do 20, but you might do 5). 


Are you saying use Lauer Duracoat after painting with VHT as a clear coat sealant to protect against chipping? Or paint it with Lauer as another option instead of VHT? Do I need to use a clearcoat sealant with VHT for protection against chipping?
Warm rattle-can paint atomizes better.  The smaller the droplets, the better the coverage.

Thin coat, wait 10 min (repeat).

If you want to really put a solid color on it, use Lauer Duracoat.  You'll have to buy the sprayer (Preval) which is about $15.  Lauer is made for firearms and withstands pretty much everything that isn't radioactive.

[ducatiz]

Do I need to apply a sealant to the clutchcover and crankcase cover when I put them back on. I'm worried about ending up with a bike that leaks oil. 

Yes.  Threebond or Yamabond.  That is what the factory uses.

Are you saying use Lauer Duracoat after painting with VHT as a clear coat sealant to protect against chipping? Or paint it with Lauer as another option instead of VHT? Do I need to use a clearcoat sealant with VHT for protection against chipping?

No, use one or the other for the color.  Duracoat doesn't need a clear coat, it won't chip.  The VHT may need one, but it is pretty tough.