Topic: painting question

[uwjberg]

ok - so i'm going to attempt to paint my tank this weekend with rattlecan rustoleum. from what i gather, this is what i'm going to do - please correct me if i'm wrong:

1. strip the tank
2. fill/sand any bondo/filler
3. tack cloth/clean
4. apply primer/sealer
5. sand primer - 400 grit ok for this?
6. base coat
7. wet sand - 600 grit, right? or higher?
8. polishing compound

regarding the base coat - how many coats? i'm thinking 4-5 light coats. how long should i wait to apply the different coats? the can says within 2 hours. should i apply all the coats within the same day, or wait 48 hours like i've seen suggested? any other tips?

keep in mind that this is my first attempt at painting, and i'm using the rattlecan. i'm not expecting perfection, but just a decent covering without any cracking or bubbling. i definitely know that it's all in the prep, so i'll be spending the majority of the time with sanding and filling.

[KingCustomCycles.com]

You got it. :-) and good luck.

[uwjberg]

cool - thanks. i hate asking questions when i can read so much on the board, but i don't want to screw up the first time, either.

[wildcatmahone]

Just to add a little bit...

1. make sure to give the surface a good wipe with acetone with a clean cloth before each spraying session
2. be patient with the bondo you may have to apply several coats to get a level fill it dries quick though sand with 180 grit paper and repeat dont skimp here.
3. lay down 2 coats of basecoat within one hour then wait 48 hours and repeat
4. 600 grit wet and dry is right after the first 2 coats, then after coats 3-4 use 1000 grit, after coats 5-6 use 1500 grit. When wetsanding add little drop of dishsoap to the water bucket this helps ALOT.
5. use the 3M line of rubbing compound to polish out the remaining scratches left by the wet and dry paper you will get the gloss back at this stage.
6. Spray in GOOD light and keep and eye on how much paint you're laying down and you'll do fine.

Anything else I'm forgetting is probably in my rattlecan thread...Good Luck!
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=36659.0

[uwjberg]

ok - so i've got the primer/sealer down. should i wet sand or dry sand the primer? does it make a difference with the primer?

[Canada]

Wet sand, otherwise you will go through 10x the amount of paper as it will get clogged very quickly.

[Bliss]

 :oGood luck, I messed up a few tanks.  You'd think I would learn? Be carfull of the brands of paint you use some do not like fuel-- found that out the hard way.I once had a nice paint job and some one said it should have a clear coat on it so I bought some, wrong
chemical base. I sprayed the tank and it wrinkled the entire tank paint job. Do some testing.

[uwjberg]

ok - got my first layer basecoat down. do i really need to wait 48 hours to sand and lay another coat on with the rustoleum? seems like it dries pretty quick. it's also 90 degrees here in the desert with no humidity, so it seems like i could give it another go sooner, right?

[wildcatmahone]

After about a day should have no problem wetsanding but for the next coat wait the full 48 hours (ish)

[hymodyne]

invest in a couple of cans of spraymax clear. many posts on how this paint works. Its a two part paint that is fuel resistant. If you don't cover your paint with a fuel resistant clear, it will get destroyed by every little drop of gas that hits it when you refuel.

hym

[uwjberg]

anyone ever had any problems with the spraymax clear? i've heard some horror stories of nice paint jobs going up in smoke when the clear isn't matched to the paint, and it bubbles when applied...

[wildcatmahone]

Maybe someone else will chime in but my Rustoleum paint job is still looking great 6 months on never bothered with the clear. This sh*t is bulletprooof have had spilled gas on it many times when filling up and is holding up NICE.

[pampadori]

on this bike i striped the paint, bondo'd what needed it. sanded the bondo areas.  then rattle can primed.  sanded the primer smooth.  Shot base coat, 2 or 3 coats. waited oneday then tack clothed and cleared from a gun.  no sanding between base and clear.  no polishing afterwards was needed, there wasn't any orange peel or any imperfections at all for that matter.  

Now the paint was probably top of the shelf.  My uncle supplied the materials and did the mixing.  he has been painting customs for 30 years.  
I was shocked at how nice it came out.  I never spilled gas on it so i can't tell you how it held up. ( i sold the bike).  I've heard if you can make it 3 months and no gas gets spilled, you'll have a better chance.

[Operator]

Any idea how the Rustoleum holds up against a tank bag??? Mine is rubberized on the bottom and seems to be dulling the spots where my magnets are.

I am beginning to question the quality if the paint used. It looks nice but is far from a perfect job. I am considering just clear coating it again just to make it hold out for a few seasons while I consider the next color.

Operator