Anyone teach Bike Painting 101?

[Xtim8719X]

Hey all,

The girlfriend and I are working on painting her 03' 600RR and though i've painted a few cars in my day, i've never painted a bike. We've already removed all the plastic and all the prep work and whatnot will be easy and very similar to a car, i jus need to know if i have to put any addatives into the paint and whats the best type of paint to use. I've been told that i need to add flexor to the paint, so it wont chip. Is this true? Any tips/tricks for painting bikes and how to get the best look would be greatly appreciated!


PS,
We're going WHITE with all the plastic, and painting the swing-arm/etc black with grill paint. (Heard it was the best to use on swingarms??) :confused2:

[O.A. for life]

I dont know what help i can be but i will give it a shot. Yes you need flex additive in the paint. without it when a panel is pushed or flexes in any way it will crack without the flex additive.
Buy extra paint! It will take more product than you think to cover all the material because of all the contours and inlets ect. Getting good coverage on sport bike plastics is tough.
Build stands or find a good solid way to hang the parts so you can get around them freely while spraying.
Good luck!

[rsxscrazy]

Better get it right or youll be up the ****ter. LOL.

Can't help really on this one but good luck and get sure to post pictures when you get it done and ready...

[Xtim8719X]

Better get it right or youll be up the ****ter. LOL.

Can't help really on this one but good luck and get sure to post pictures when you get it done and ready...

You live close enough you can see it in person! I'm movin to Scott Depot next month so i'll be even closer then... But i will post pics when we get it done for sure.

[tnine]

Try this....:)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Full-Fairing-Set-for-Honda-CBR600-CBR-600-RR-F3-97-98_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35583QQihZ024QQitemZ370015533204QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

As far as painting, try this...http://www.repsolforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1507&highlight=new+paint

[rsxscrazy]

You live close enough you can see it in person! I'm movin to Scott Depot next month so i'll be even closer then... But i will post pics when we get it done for sure.

hell yeah like i said before we need to meet up for you being this close and not is rediculus. Ive been trying to get my G/F to right trying to find her the right bike she is just scared and i don't want to invest in something and her never use...

Get at me soon.

[cbx054]

Spray painting is a craft. It requires training, skill, craftsmanship, and the correct equipment and environment. It's better left to professionals for a quality professional finish. I spent may years painting motorcycles and it took a long time and lots of experience to get a high quality, consistent result.

That being said, there is a lot of satisfaction when you get a good job. I used primarily lacquer and epoxy enamel (Imron). Imron gave great results, but you better not make a mistake as it is virtually impossible to fix. Lacquer is very forgiving and easy to repair, but not very durable. The key to quality painting is preparation. The spraying of the final color is the last and easiest part. The preparation is everything. Paint additives are important too and you need an application guide for the paint system you intend to use as the additives differ day to day depending on a lot of variables. That’s where the experience comes into play.

[O.A. for life]

Spray painting is a craft. It requires training, skill, craftsmanship, and the correct equipment and environment. It's better left to professionals for a quality professional finish. I spent may years painting motorcycles and it took a long time and lots of experience to get a high quality, consistent result.

That being said, there is a lot of satisfaction when you get a good job. I used primarily lacquer and epoxy enamel (Imron). Imron gave great results, but you better not make a mistake as it is virtually impossible to fix. Lacquer is very forgiving and easy to repair, but not very durable. The key to quality painting is preparation. The spraying of the final color is the last and easiest part. The preparation is everything. Paint additives are important too and you need an application guide for the paint system you intend to use as the additives differ day to day depending on a lot of variables. That’s where the experience comes into play.I agree 100%! But wow, imron. . . you have been around for awhile! lol

[salvaje]

Do you have to add any FLEX additive to the lacquer and clear coat mixes before spraying? I understand the need for the primary color coat but was wondering if you should mix the same stuff for the first and last sprays.

[cbx054]

Do you have to add any FLEX additive to the lacquer and clear coat mixes before spraying? I understand the need for the primary color coat but was wondering if you should mix the same stuff for the first and last sprays.

I never did mix anything to aid flexing in my painting lacqour. We were pitted next to Honda at Daytona in 1981 and they turned me on to Imiron. Our bike had the paint sand blased off the fairing after one day of practice and qualifiny while the factory Hondas all looked perfect, like they were just painted and the paint was still wet! I was impressed when they rinsed chain lube off with a water hose. I started painting all my bikes with Imiron after that.

I painted a friends bike with Imron and he was rear ended at a stop light. It bent the fender (back in the days when fenders were steel) back double up above the rear tire. We pulled the fender off and strightened it back out without cracking the paint. Of course the fender was all dented, but the paint held up.

[cbx054]

I agree 100%! But wow, imron. . . you have been around for awhile! lol

They don't make Imron anymore? I guess I'm showing my age. Aynone seen my walker?

[jsfrv6]

They don't make Imron anymore? I guess I'm showing my age. Aynone seen my walker?


Yes Dupont Imron (Polyurethane enamel) is still around due to its superior qualities. Just check some of your local body shops for a retailer. Make sure you follow the directions for mixing, surface prep and personal protection.

Scott

[LilTuffGirl]

The paint we used recomended not to use flexor.
I'm not looking for a $3,000 paint job because well I am a new rider and it's already fallen over on me once :( (I got off of it and turned to look at it and plop it went down)

We did a LOT of sanding.. Tim did the paint and did a wonderful job. NO runs until the clear coat :( only screwd up the side plastic which we are going to redo today. The rest look wonderful! And i'm picky ;) It will need a final wet sand in a few days or so and once thats done i'm sure i'll be pretty damn happy with it!!

We had some putty filler to fill in the old scratches from the bike falling over before Tim got it and from it falling over with me... BUT we forgot to fill them in :( so that shows a little but oh well it's not a show bike. You live and learn. I'll probably buy new plastics in a year anyways. The smart guy who owned it before tim apparently thought you need to torque down on the plastics to get them on there and there are a few cracks.

So we arn't dealing with a spotless bike to start with. I have pics of the process.. and i'll get pics once it's on and wet sanded and 100% done. I have to get it out of my damn apartment first (yes it's inside my apartment)

[rsxscrazy]

Good to hear. Can't wait to see it...

[cbx054]

[QUOTE=LilTuffGirl;22578]The paint we used recomended not to use flexor.
I'm not looking for a $3,000 paint job because well I am a new rider and it's already fallen over on me once :( (I got off of it and turned to look at it and plop it went down)

Congrats! It is always very rewarding when your results exceed your expectations. I see you ride a CBR600RR. My wife is dying for one, but can't touch the ground enough to control the bike sitting still. She has lots of experience riding and roadracing, but bikes today are just too tall for her. Is yours stock, or did you lower it? Cyndi needs a 29" seat height to feel comfortable.

[O.A. for life]

Congrats!

[rubenzfast]

They don't make Imron anymore? I guess I'm showing my age. Aynone seen my walker?

they are switching everything to water base.........sucks but i guess europe has been doing it for 10 years........thats what my instructer says and thats almost all they sell here in CA.....very strict epa voc

[O.A. for life]

they are switching everything to water base.........sucks but i guess europe has been doing it for 10 years........thats what my instructer says and thats almost all they sell here in CA.....very strict epa voc

Thats only in CA. I have friends that drive to vegas from cali to buy clear cuz that water based stuff is the worst!

[rubenzfast]

Thats only in CA. I have friends that drive to vegas from cali to buy clear cuz that water based stuff is the worst!

yea i heard about that you dont even need a booth that old **** drys soooo fast..........but its bad for the envronment :(

[Xtim8719X]

[QUOTE=LilTuffGirl;22578]The paint we used recomended not to use flexor.
I'm not looking for a $3,000 paint job because well I am a new rider and it's already fallen over on me once :( (I got off of it and turned to look at it and plop it went down)

Congrats! It is always very rewarding when your results exceed your expectations. I see you ride a CBR600RR. My wife is dying for one, but can't touch the ground enough to control the bike sitting still. She has lots of experience riding and roadracing, but bikes today are just too tall for her. Is yours stock, or did you lower it? Cyndi needs a 29" seat height to feel comfortable.


Yeah her bike is stock, never lowered. It was my bike before i bought my Repsol. She is on the tips of her toes, but she can reach - any shorter she would be in trouble! Have her buy some platform shoes to ride in :D

[TX Repsol]

[quote=cbx054;22583]any shorter she would be in trouble!

Counting down the seconds until HH jumps all over that one...

[LilTuffGirl]

lol yea i'm like 5'5 and am on the balls of my feet. It's a pain to back it up!! But there are a lot of shorter chics out there riding. Either they lower it or shave the seat or both lol and actually Icon makes some boots that will give you height.

[TX Repsol]

lol yea i'm like 5'5 and am on the balls of my feet. It's a pain to back it up!! But there are a lot of shorter chics out there riding. Either they lower it or shave the seat or both lol and actually Icon makes some boots that will give you height.

One of our old riding partners (a really short girl) bought herself a brand new GSXR-1000 when they first came out. It was all she could do to set her tippy toes on the ground when she stopped.

I can't tell you how many times that girl dropped that bike...

[cbx054]

lol yea i'm like 5'5 and am on the balls of my feet. It's a pain to back it up!! But there are a lot of shorter chics out there riding. Either they lower it or shave the seat or both lol and actually Icon makes some boots that will give you height.

She already has boots with a lift on them. She has a 500 twin Ninja, with lowering links of 1". It works, but the bike lost some handling. She wants a higher tech bike. She really wants the CBR600RR.

She used to ride my '83 VF750F endurance bike at the race track in the '80s. We had to push her out on the track and catch her when she came into the pits. She missed the ground by a least 3", but those days are gone (an 87lb rider goes like stink!).

She wants something with a little more control. She has already tipped over on the Ninja twice since she bought it. She is OK riding, it's the stopping that gets her, especially if the road surface is uneven.

[LilTuffGirl]

wow i'm pretty lucky then! Tim's cousin is a bit shorter than me and he's tip toeing his '03 CBR600RR. He seems to do just fine.

I've thought about lowering my 600 a bit. I've heard they lose some handling but not much. And let her know it's MUCH harder to pick up a 600 than it is a 500. I dropped my friends ninja 500 (let the clutch out too fast and it tried to jump out into traffic so I lost it. BUT I did catch it halfway down. Had to let it down a lil and picked it up just fine.
The 600 when it fell over in the parkinglot I don't think there was any way I was going to pick it up. Thankfully I didn't have to try by myself since two guys trotted over to help me and said I had horrible luck :( lol didn't help my wheel was already locked in the direction it fell. (hey it was low 40s and raining that day and I road 2 hours but it was better then driving my car with dead tags into another state)

[tnine]

Anyone know I'm 5'4..125...and a 31 yr old male. LOL :confused2: "Princess" rides me almost. :D

[cbx054]

wow i'm pretty lucky then! Tim's cousin is a bit shorter than me and he's tip toeing his '03 CBR600RR. He seems to do just fine.

I've thought about lowering my 600 a bit. I've heard they lose some handling but not much. And let her know it's MUCH harder to pick up a 600 than it is a 500. I dropped my friends ninja 500 (let the clutch out too fast and it tried to jump out into traffic so I lost it. BUT I did catch it halfway down. Had to let it down a lil and picked it up just fine.
The 600 when it fell over in the parkinglot I don't think there was any way I was going to pick it up. Thankfully I didn't have to try by myself since two guys trotted over to help me and said I had horrible luck :( lol didn't help my wheel was already locked in the direction it fell. (hey it was low 40s and raining that day and I road 2 hours but it was better then driving my car with dead tags into another state)

Picking it up isn't an issue as she can't pick the Ninja up anyway. She has a long career of crashing/tipping over and it doesn't deter her. She always finds someone to help her pick it up, if they can get past her swearing like a sailor when she does drop it. She is much better off with the Ninja lowered, but complains the handling suffers. I'm surprised she notices it, but she has a lot of experience racing and riding (about 30 years).

[LilTuffGirl]

A lot of the girls love the SVs and have lowerd them without issues. And shaved the seats...

Oh lord when my bike fell over I threw my helmet on the ground (good thing I needed to buy a new one anyways) and started cussing lol I was frozen and pissed. not a good combo!

Not sure the CBR600RR would fit her well. Never felt one lowerd so I can't tell you how well they do. Actually never talked to anyone who has lowerd one. Have her sit on one at the dealership and see how off it is.. then let her sit on a SV or something. I've heard nothing but good about the SVs. I just like the more sporty and agressive look the CBR has. And it was Tim's old bike that he taught me to ride so it means a bit more ;)

My only problem i've had with the CBR is being an idiot and trying to keep up with Tim and not throwing the bike over enough in the turn. When you facing a median that is about 3 foot tall it makes you pucker up a bit!!

[cbx054]

A lot of the girls love the SVs and have lowerd them without issues. And shaved the seats...

Oh lord when my bike fell over I threw my helmet on the ground (good thing I needed to buy a new one anyways) and started cussing lol I was frozen and pissed. not a good combo!

Not sure the CBR600RR would fit her well. Never felt one lowerd so I can't tell you how well they do. Actually never talked to anyone who has lowerd one. Have her sit on one at the dealership and see how off it is.. then let her sit on a SV or something. I've heard nothing but good about the SVs. I just like the more sporty and agressive look the CBR has. And it was Tim's old bike that he taught me to ride so it means a bit more ;)

My only problem i've had with the CBR is being an idiot and trying to keep up with Tim and not throwing the bike over enough in the turn. When you facing a median that is about 3 foot tall it makes you pucker up a bit!!

What's an SV? There is no way I would be able to get hre on anything but a sport bike, believe me! You don't even want to go there.

She sits on the CBR every time we go to the dealer. They have a trade in at the Kawasaki dealer she has been lusting over ever since they got it in last fall. She can just get her toes to touch the ground if she stretches, but can’t get the balls of her feet down, which I think is a prerequisite for proper control.

Realistically she needs 3”. For some reason Honda lists the seat height ½” lower this year than in ’07. We talked about it at length last night. She should be able to get 1” with a lower, narrower seat. If she lowers the rear 1" and drops the triple clamp 1” she is getting close, and that would keep the suspension square. If she softens up the rear shock preload (which she should anyway) she may pick up close to another 1”. I think it’s doable and because of her light weight I don’t think the lower suspension will be a handling issue. Unfortunately, she needs to buy the bike to find out.

[MEGA]

lol yea i'm like 5'5 and am on the balls of my feet. It's a pain to back it up!! But there are a lot of shorter chics out there riding. Either they lower it or shave the seat or both lol and actually Icon makes some boots that will give you height.

Im 5'6 and do the smae. i like when my girl rides with me cuz then my feet touch the ground more. lol
im so used to it that im not bothered at all

[cbx054]

Im 5'6 and do the smae. i like when my girl rides with me cuz then my feet touch the ground more. lol
im so used to it that im not bothered at all

She knows your pain. She is 5',0". She was 87lbs when we were racing. She was a lot cheaper than carbon fiber! Well, maybe not in the long run. She weighs a little more now, but definitely seat challenged. She rides the wheels off of things. She was faster than most guys we raced with. A crasher, though.

[LilTuffGirl]

This is the sport version of the SV. They hae a 650 and a 750. This is the "s" version and you can buy the rest of the plastics if you don't like it like this...
http://www.moto-station.com/ttesimages/motodivers/nouveautes2003/Suzuki_SV650S_2003_stpz.jpg
the only pic I can find with all the plastics on... the red one on top..
http://www.burn-out.it/assets/images/db_images/db_suzuki_SV_650_1000_2003_top_line_w5.jpg

If she gets online tell her to look at www.cycleforums.com and go to the cycle angle's area. There are a lot of women on there that ride/race/stunt. But some of them on there are stuck up as hell! lol But some great info on all the bikes and how some of those 5 foot nothing girls share what they have done to be able to touch the ground.

If she can't put the balls of her feet down I'm not sure i'd buy until you are damn sure you can lower it enough for her. I use to just lean to one side a lot until one day my freakin' knee just gave out and I almost ended up on the ground. Not sure how I recoverd from that.. i've done a lot of things and wonderd how the crap I saved it. Had a rusty nasty van slam on his breaks in front of me so he can look at the teenage girls on the side of the road. I locked my rear up and went to the side.. I was still pretty DAMN close to the van with my heart in my throat wondering how the hell i am still on two wheels lol

Tim tried lowering my RR by adjusting the suspension and I really didn't see any diff. I was hoping to flat foot :( but oh well. Flat footing would make it MUCH better to back the stupid thing up :( At work they said they were going to strap books to the bottom of my boots so I could touch the ground hah

[cbx054]

Ah, we did look at the SV650. It was way too heavy for her. Thanks for the tip on forum, I'll have her check it out.

[LilTuffGirl]

crappy cell phone pic but this will have to do for now since it's been snowing and i'm not taking the bike out until it clears up and gets somewhat warm. Its inside my apartment and kinda hard to get in and out...
http://www.ladysstall.com/bikes/whiteside.jpg

going to wait to do the swingarm and stuff after we move to the house so we have a place to do it (big 2 car garage).

I like the white a LOT better... didn't come out perfect but good enough! Some odd reason with JUST the clear coat there were random yellow specs that came out of the gun.. clean gun that sprayed the primer and white with no issue.... The plastics have some cracks and stuff anyways. Once I'm confident in riding and not so tipsy and could possibly lay it down i'll pay someone to fix the few cracks and do a better paint job. but for now i'm happy as can be!

[LilTuffGirl]

OH!! I priced a lowering kit for my bike while at work (work at a bike shop now.. which is a BAD idea when you are trying to SAVE money) depending on how good my discount is i'll let you know how much it helps and how it rides ;) the kit retails for like $150. Made by Vortex.

[cowboyadam]

That looks pretty good. White looks really good on bikes for some reason. Good job though and all

that matters is that your happy with it.

So you work at a bike shop ey..... You going to give us the sweet hook ups?? ;) :D :rolleyes: