Topic: Good automotive grade spray paint?

[cafetimmy]

Gonna be doing the majority of the painting on my bike by myself with cans of spray paint and I'm not sure what's good and what to look out for. Lookin for a durable satin or semi gloss black. I also need a satin or semi gloss clear coat to make sure it lasts for a long time. I'm thinkin laquer is better than enamel for a motorcycle?

Anybody know of a good brand name and supplier?

Thanks
-Tim

[MacM2010]

People have used Rustoleum with nice results.  This thread has some good info, but search around - there are lots of others:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=36659.0

[XJrusso96]

I used gloss black Rustoleum Professional,  with the right amount of sanding and buffing you can get a really good look.  If your going for a more satin finish I think it would be even easier.  So far I haven't needed any clear coat, even on the tank.  It baked on super hard, and since its rustoleum its made to be pretty tough.  I don't have any real good pictures, these are just some I had taken for a tag-o-rama on advrider,  but you get the point.

EDIT:  I just looked at the link in the above post, thats a pretty similar to the process I used on mine.

[lone*X]

I don't think any rattle can will match quality automotive paints but some may come close.  The VHT lineup has some interesting products.  I have used a few of them like the exhaust and caliper paints and they worked very well.  Thinking of using the all weather "Epoxy" paint for my frame when that time comes.  For my tins and side covers I am going to try a 2 part epoxy from Klass Kote.   I've read some good reports about it on another forum that I frequent.  Supposed to be almost indestructible.   It can be sprayed with an airbrush or touch-up gun. 

http://www.tcpglobal.com/SprayPaintDepot/vht-paints09.aspx?gclid=CP7S2OWHzZ0CFQ8MDQodHC4_rA

http://klasskote.com

[the technological J]

i tried the rusto method mentioned above if u have the time to let it cure you could use what ever type of paint u want and sand it to a flawless finish then buff it out with rubbing compound then polishing compound then wax it with some high quality wax (mcguires is my choice)

[ColinMc]

Just remember...spill gas on spray paint and bad things happen...

[NE550]

I used black semi-gloss and liked the results...

[NE550]

Oops, I used RUSTOLEUM semi-gloss.

Matt

[The Gardener]

I did the RUSTOLEUM paint once. After hours of prep (lots of wet sanding) I sprayed. I went slow and light. Ended up putting on something like 8 coats. looked great. Then did a wet sand and cleared. Everything looked awesome until... a little gas spattered while filling up. The gas melted the clear and yes it looked like crap. I wouldn't do it again. Also painted the fork sliders with industrial grade RUSTOLEUM. the sun has faded one badly and junk tossed up by cars chipped them.
 You can get it looking good, but for me it just didn't last. I'd spend the money and do it right.

good luck

[MacM2010]

For what it's worth, some DIY painters have done the prep and paint themselves, gotten it to look nice, and then taken it to a pro shop to get it clearcoated.  I don't know if it's in that link above or one of the other posts, but it seems like a middle-ground as far as price goes. 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

I did the RUSTOLEUM paint once. After hours of prep (lots of wet sanding) I sprayed. I went slow and light. Ended up putting on something like 8 coats. looked great. Then did a wet sand and cleared. Everything looked awesome until... a little gas spattered while filling up. The gas melted the clear and yes it looked like crap. I wouldn't do it again. Also painted the fork sliders with industrial grade RUSTOLEUM. the sun has faded one badly and junk tossed up by cars chipped them.
 You can get it looking good, but for me it just didn't last. I'd spend the money and do it right.

good luck

Did you use Rustoleum clear?

[greenjeans]

I used Rustoleum on a old KZ650 I had about 10 years ago...  It takes a while, but once that stuff is fully cured it is about the hardest paint that you can get
in a spray can.   When you get around to painting it really take the time to let it cure before sanding and polishing.   Mine was done in the summer and I put it
out in the sun every day for about a month before I finally got around to sanding it.  Obviously, you don't need to let it sit that long, but alot of the guys I know
that do custom paint always try and wait as long as they can before final sanding and polish - and even longer before they fill with gas.

I don't think that you'd even need a clear coat on properly cured Rustoleum....  wet sand with 1500 & 2000 with a small rubber block and then polish with some
3M "perfect-it" or a light rubbing compund.  You can get those foam polishers that chuck into an electric drill at most auto parts stores for about 10 bucks.  Get them
damp and apply the polish/compound.   You can finish with your favorite wax.

** Some automotive paint supply places have aerosol cans that have 2-part urethane paint in them.  Never used them, but they are a urethane paint with a hardener
     which is essentially what provides resistance to gas & oil etc.   Probably pricey as well.

You'll be suprised what can be accomplished with a $4 can of Rustoleum & some polishing compound.  Costs less than a night at the bar....

[cafetimmy]

Thanks for the help guys. I'm getting all the parts powder coated that i can afford and I figure I'll take on the tank, fenders, and smaller parts with the rustoleum process. There definately is a lot of good talk about the rustoleum so I'll give a try. This is my first project bike and unfortunately right now cost efficiency comes first  . But in the end i'll just be happy to ride the dam thing!