Topic: Painting - Powder Coat, 2K Aerosol or Paint Shop?

[Imago]

What do people think about these various options for the frame, tank, side covers, swing arm and various other bits on a 1976 CB750K cafe build??

[Trad]

Powder on chassis parts, paint on tank, side covers, headlight bucket, etc.

[db22]

What Trad said. Over the winter, I had my frame, swingarm, sidestand and centerstand powdercoated semi-gloss black, and the oil pan, filter housing and small parts done in semi-matte. Just handling the parts in reassembly, I can tell how much more durable powder is over any paint. Not cheap, but I'll never have to worry about corrosion from the outside.

[Imago]

Powder on chassis parts, paint on tank, side covers, headlight bucket, etc.

Yes, I think I'll powder coat the frame, swingarm, triple, yoke and stands as you suggest. Gloss, semi-gloss or matte? The rest will be paint. Has anyone had experience with the 2 part paints in an aerosol can for the tank, side covers, headlight bucket etc? I doubt if it can compare to a good auto shop paint job, but I'm wondering about people's experiences? Also, are there 2 parts paints in OEM CB750 colours? Or close?

[jamesbekman]

Id get a quote from someone about powder coating the frame and swing arm.  The quote is usually the deciding factor if you are going to paint the frame or not.

[hellraiserDLX]

And if you contact most auto paint supply stores you can tell them paint codes from any automobile manufacturer and they can mix paint and put it in aerosol cans for you. some will mix you up custom colors and stuff too. Using auto grade urethane paints and clears is my recommendation for tank and side covers. Much more durable and chemical/uv resistant than random ace hardware rattle cans.

[Imago]

And if you contact most auto paint supply stores you can tell them paint codes from any automobile manufacturer and they can mix paint and put it in aerosol cans for you. some will mix you up custom colors and stuff too. Using auto grade urethane paints and clears is my recommendation for tank and side covers. Much more durable and chemical/uv resistant than random ace hardware rattle cans.

I might give this a try... I've painted things before with rattle cans with good success. Any recomendations on a store to use in Canada? I'm thinking Candy Gold.... or Antares Red... or the Ukrainian flag colours... hmmmm.

RAL   5019 Capri blue   1023 Traffic yellow

[Muckinfuss]

you'll give up color selection, but gain a good bit of price advantage over a jobber filling spray cans with your paint of choice if you can use Eastwood's 2k rattle can products.

[hellraiserDLX]

http://www.automotivetouchup.com/spray_paint_matched.aspx

I've never used any of the websites like these but there seems to be quite a few.

[katman]

You should try the aerosol kit from VMR. A great factory match and was easy to use. The flake apricot red 75 in the pic is a VMR kit I did during my restoration. by the way my frame was done with krylon ultra cote

[spyug]

Being a frugal (cheap) Scotsman I have adopted the rattle can paint job with 2 k clearcoat as my favourite method of painting. I prefer solid colours like black, white, silver and now dark blue and a $6 can of Rustoleum works just dandy. While I had been spraying two part automotive finishes I find this method easier and cheaper.

Up until just recently, I would lay down the base colour and spray the clear with my HVLP rig but I recently found my local CARQUEST now carries 2 part clear in a can so I will be trying that out shortly.

On my CB I am going with a dark blue and I will lay down a chequered flag graphic on the tank sides and side panels. Here is the tank as it sits now waiting for the graphic



Now I have done 4 or 5 bikes this way and all turn out well but I don't  recommend this for frames and engine parts if you can afford the cost of powdercoating. As mentioned it is a better and more durable finish.

For new painters or those on a budget this method works well IMHO.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

PC the chassis. Paint the bodywork.

[Powderman]

Id get a quote from someone about powder coating the frame and swing arm.  The quote is usually the deciding factor if you are going to paint the frame or not.

In your experience what have you found a professional paint job on a frame to be cost wise? I get around $250 to prep and powder coat a CB750 frame. Who is painting them cheaper? If there is a difference the benefits of powder over paint make the decision easier and shouldn't be deal breaker.

[CapeCafe]

When I restored/modified my 76 550 I chose to use the Eastwood chassis semi gloss black and after 2 years it still looks like new.  Any paint job or PC job is only as good as the prep work.  I sand blasted the frame, triple, swing arm and mounts and then meticulously cleaned them before spraying.  The Eastwood spray bombs aren't cheap, but they are cheaper than PC and work excellent IMHO.