Painting plastic side panels
Brent Evered
seem that the only way to get a left side panel for this bike is to steal
one off another bike (not an option) or buy a used one on eBay for roughly
the cost of a new one plus shipping (not a good option). So I bought a new
one, and the only panel I could find to replace it was a different color
from the bike (blue; bike is brown). Anyway, I've decided to paint both
panels black, since the bulk of the bike that isn't brown, is black or
chrome, and besides, I happen to like that color. Might even do the tank,
once I get it Kreemed.
Any advice on this? I've got to get decals off both side panels, and I'm
hoping that I can do it with a hair dryer/heat gun; if not, perhaps some
decal remover?
Then, what's the drill on painting them? I'm not planning to show the bike,
just drive it, so I figured I'd scuff the existing paint with some 000grit
emery paper, then paint, sand, paint, sand, paint, buff, clearcoat,
clearcoat. Given my low aesthetic standards, I plan to use automotive spray
paint in cans.
Am I remotely on the right track here? Should I wash the panels with
acetone before painting?
thanks
brent
hapa9
I just want to offer up some advice since I just repainted my cb 550 side
panels last week. BE CAREFULL WITH DECAL REMOVER! It will eat your decals,
your existing paint job, and some plastic as well. I made the mistake of
leaving decal remover on WAY too long and it ate into the plastic. I had to
go back and fill in the areas, sand, then repaint. It was a big hassle.
Anyhow, you can get good results (not professional but fine by most standards)
with automotive spray paint and laquer. Especially if you are just painting
them black. Just take your time with it, don't rush the job. Remember to
have good ventalation, hang on to those remaining brain cells.
Remove decals (I can only tell you what not to do here) and clean surface.
Prime, sand, paint, sand and rub down with rubbing compound, paint again, sand
and rub down with rubbing compound, laquer, laquer, laquer. One useful item
would be a tackcloth if you are working in a dusty area.
Good Luck,
-Mike
flycycle
looks good right out of the can from CarQuest.
Suggest you haze the existing paint with the finest grade of steel wool.
You want to remove all traces of wax or coating and form microscratches that
the new paint can bite into. Avoid acetone, that is what ruined my tank when
it spilled over during interior cleaning.
I would mask the stock pin striping and center "glitter" area.
Then mask the black prior to painting the glitter coat if it does not match
your plans.
I had good results replacing the pinstripe using fine line masking tape
and brushing on a stock (Toyota) gold touch up paint.
I am interested in how Kreme turns out for you.
"Brent Evered" <Brent....@gnb.ca> wrote in message
news:5NTa8.5272$Ek1.5...@news-nb00s0.nbnet.nb.ca...
Kaybearjr
>Should I wash the panels with
>acetone before painting?
Acetone will eat up the plastic, but not right away...
You will think that the acetone isn't harming the plastic, and then, suddenly,
the plastic will start crazing...
Don't ask how I know that...
# * 0 * # <---- grumpy marsupial emoticon
^
BykrDan
worked well, but man, did it ever take time and effort. I think I would
look for an easier way next time - the heat gun sounds like a good place to
start.
The actual painting was a breeze, once the surface preparation was finished.
You'll want to wipe down with something after sanding, at least with a
clean, damp cloth. I think I just used water, and it's holding up fine. I
shot the color right out of the spray can and didn't fool with rubbing it
out. All that seemed to do for me was dull the finish.
I didn't have much luck with clearcoats from a can - one brand shrivelled up
the color coat (test on scrap metal before applying) and the other brand
wouldn't hold up to gasoline, so I got a nice PPG clearcoat, and applied it
with a paint gun. It looked much better on the bike, too.
When I did the tank, I stripped off the emblems, but cut the "Suzuki" in a
wide piece of masking tape and stenciled the name on in black (the tank was
red, with cream patches). It looked very good when it was all done.
Then I dropped my Honda on it, and did it all over again!
"Brent Evered" <Brent....@gnb.ca> wrote in message
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Brent Evered
BykrDan:
Sounds like a good process, but I think I'll leave out that last step
"BykrDan" <no....@thank.you> wrote in message
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