Topic: Frame painting question

[stevenmgrr]

Hello everyone.  I recently purchased a '71 CB500.  It is a nice running bike but its cosmetic appearance is looking a bit tired.  One of the projects that I was considering to freshen the look of the bike was to repaint the frame.  I do not, however, wish to totally disassemble the bike to do so.  I thought that if I removed the easy stuff like the rear wheel, foot pegs and some of the major nuts and bolts, I could mask off the rest of the items like the engine and exhaust.  I could then just spray the frame and swing arm with black paint.

Has anyone had any success with this method of leaving the engine intalled?  Can you provide any other suggestions?  Also what kind of spray paint can I use that will be both durable and provide a nice finish?

Thanks
Steve M

[hymodyne]

I've painted my frame twice and both times It has been well worth it to strip it down to bare. masking off parts will only mean that some areas will not get the paint they should, while other areas that shouldn't get painted, will. as far as paint goes, first choice is to powdercoat, but that is pricey. I primed with self etching primer the first time, then botched the job with a cheap spray enamel that peeled at the first introduction of fluid. this time I stripped down to bare metal with a sandblaster, primed with self etching primer, and then shot the frame with 3 coats of epoxy paint.

I like the looks and it seems to have some resilience to scuffs and scratches.

hym

[ieism]

I had the same plan as you, I thought I paint only the visible parts of the frame .....
Last week I decided I didn't like it afterall, and took the engine out too. Removing the engine can be done in a few hours, and it really makes a big difference.
My frame looks as good as new now, and it only cost me 2 days and 30 bucks worth of paint.

[kghost]

Depends on the Feet....

Rattle can it around obstructions = 15 feet.

As it it will look good at 15 ft distance.

Powder coat it or epoxy prime/urethane paint = 1 ft.

[hymodyne]

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n213/hymodyne/014_11A.jpg

Here's how it came out...

[lordmoonpie]

Well it looks great at 3470 miles.....might be better with powder coat at 15 feet though 

[Vtec-Sauce]

If you use an epoxy spray paint it will be pretty durable, PJ1 makes an 4-step aerosol Epoxy paint that i heard has worked pretty well. I plan to use their honda red for my frame.

heres a link

http://www.bellrpg.net/bell/CY/grouppart.asp?MAJ=020&PRI=110&SEC=560&GRP=11136

[kghost]

I haven't had good results durability wise with PJ1

Nor have any of my buddies.

[Vtec-Sauce]

i used it on a dirt bike frame and it held up great...

[kghost]

i used it on a dirt bike frame and it held up great...

I've found it to be rather unresistant to any chemicals.

Gas, grease, etc.

Durability as I said.

Your results may vary.

[Vtec-Sauce]

i used it on a dirt bike frame and it held up great...

I've found it to be rather unresistant to any chemicals.

Gas, grease, etc.

Durability as I said.

Your results may vary.

you use a clear coat over the PJ1 epoxy base?

[kghost]

I've had experience with both the laquer and the epoxy systems PJ1 sells.

They were not positive.

That being said its no better or worse then any other system out of a rattle can.

I find it comical that people think they can find a quick cheap solution to a problem thats been around for ages.

If you think an epoxy system in a can is better than a self etching epoxy primer followed by a polyurethane paint be my guest.

I by no means am a nationally recognized expert on anything...but I know some folks who are.

Both I and they can spot a rattle can paint job at 15 ft. Most folks can.

Just depends what you want to accomplish.

[lordmoonpie]

Wow you guys must pay a lot for powdercoating - cb750 frame, swingarm, triple trees, shotblasted & powdercoated in beautiful thick hardwearing finish for $90...

[BobbyR]

I would choose Rustoleum Black gloss enamel. It has a great color and it holds up very well. Most of the custom car guys around here will no longer powdercoat. It peels and even if it stays it is hard to repair a scratch.

[Vtec-Sauce]

did honda powdercoat each frame?? Just curious as to how it was coated at the factory

[BobbyR]

did honda powdercoat each frame?? Just curious as to how it was coated at the factory

No they did not powdercoat 30+ years ago. The frame was painted with a spraygun.

[kghost]

Bobby,

If thier powdercoat is flaking somethings going on.......

Ya can't beat that stuff off with a hammer....

Hell I can barely get it off with stripper and a sand blaster.

[lordmoonpie]

+1
It takes a big whack to chip powder coat - another good reason to get it done so you can lift the engine back in without ruining all our hard work on the frame restoration!

[Vtec-Sauce]

so if honda painted them with spray guns, i might just get my frame sprayed ferarri red! might be cheaper than powdercoat

[helgiman]

I have found that Eastwood Extreme Chassis Black paint is the very best for your frame. I use the gloss black with great results. For about $35.00 (2) cans you get a real nice looking job with little effort. I generally have my frames bead blasted first then totally wipe them down. Then apply a good primer to the frame. Let it dry for a day. then lightly sand it. Next apply the Chassis Black paint in light coats until you get the desired finish. This paint has a lot of solids and covers in a nice smooth thick coat. I usually give the frame about a week to dry before assembly. Everyone thinks the frames have been powder coated. It is very durable, scratch and gas, oil resistant.
Ed