Author Topic: I know nothing about paint....  (Read 1321 times)

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Offline anotherCB

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I know nothing about paint....
« on: April 06, 2011, 08:12:43 AM »
My tank, side covers and cafe seat need to be painted at some point. To keep cost down, I thought about making it simple and have it painted in "british racing green".

Since the tank and sidecovers need to be stripped anyways (seat is primed right now) , does it hurt if I get a $3 spray paint can from HD and just spray over everything now to get an idea of whether I like the color? Or would this make it harder for the painter later when he does the "real" paint job?

What should a decent one color paint job approximately cost (no bells and whistles, just plain green and clear coat I guess)?

Thanks everyone, learning a lot here  8)

1978 CB750K, 2016 R1200 GS/LC, 1973 R75/5

Offline Silverback

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Re: I know nothing about paint....
« Reply #1 on: April 06, 2011, 08:23:26 AM »
Your painter won't like the rattle can stuff over everything! No more than $300-350 for a "good", "basic" paint job, potentially less if they are a big operation. Final finish is a factor in cost. Do you want them to cut and buff to a show finish (No orange peel/mirror finish) or just spray it and leave (like every motor vehicle on the street)? The former will cost you more of course, but honestly a good bit of my customers can't discern the difference between show finish and a spray and go finish. A painter will pick up the differences in a heartbeat.

The painter will also factor in the condition of the parts (dents, dings, etc.).
Chris
"It's hard to define soul. You get it in art. You get it in music, and occasionally you get it in machinery."
78 CB750F racer
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Offline Gordon

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Re: I know nothing about paint....
« Reply #2 on: April 06, 2011, 08:27:24 AM »
As for prices on getting it professionally painted, if it's anything like it was back in '02 or '03 when I was getting quotes to do my 400F tank and side covers (one color with clear coat), it was going to cost me around $400.  This was in Austin, TX.  That was more than I was willing or able to spend, so I ended up getting my own spray gun, taught myself how to use it, and painted it myself.  Cost me around $150 for the gun, supplies and paint.  I already had the compressor. 

Offline flybox1

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Re: I know nothing about paint....
« Reply #3 on: April 06, 2011, 08:33:12 AM »
dont spray your parts.
i'd go get some cheap sheet plastic at HD or a craft store.
mock up some side covers. 
spray test your colors and do the 20' test.
'78 750K (F3 engine) PD42b's, Modified airbox w/K&N  filter, 40/110 jets, 1 needle shim, IMS@ 1 turn out. Kerker + Cone 18" QuietCore

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Offline anotherCB

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Re: I know nothing about paint....
« Reply #4 on: April 06, 2011, 08:43:36 AM »
Glad I asked before I sprayed! $300 doesn't sound that bad, I have heard higher numbers, but i think that for some custom stuff with flames, etc.
1978 CB750K, 2016 R1200 GS/LC, 1973 R75/5

Offline Duanob

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Re: I know nothing about paint....
« Reply #5 on: April 06, 2011, 10:38:28 AM »
I'd like to know who does a decent job for $300 cause I got quotes from this board and locally and was shocked at $650 +. I did it myself for just over $100 for all supplies and tools. I Know you could get a Maaco job for cheap but it won't last long.
"Just because you flush a boatload of money down the toilet, doesn't make the toilet worth more",  My Stepfather the Unknown Poet

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Offline Silverback

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Re: I know nothing about paint....
« Reply #6 on: April 06, 2011, 10:57:08 AM »
I'll do a single color job on a tank and two side covers for $300 all day long. Note: This price is not for tins that have been scrounged from a junkyard and look like somebody was using them for shooting practice, or were driving golf balls into them for fun.

A restoration type paint job, including application of decals, candy colors and the like would definitely be more.
« Last Edit: April 06, 2011, 11:00:42 AM by Silverback »
Chris
"It's hard to define soul. You get it in art. You get it in music, and occasionally you get it in machinery."
78 CB750F racer
78 CB750F stock
75 CB750K Baby Blue Sold (She was a great bike!)
71 CB750K (rusty rod)
77 cb550F Sold :(  Bought it Back :)
Basket case 73 CB750, 77 CB750F (Building now)
01 Aprilia Falco
76 kz400
96 BMW K1100LT

Offline anotherCB

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Re: I know nothing about paint....
« Reply #7 on: April 06, 2011, 12:11:23 PM »
I thought about sticking some decals on the tank after it is painted. Would the clear coat go over the decals? Or do decals come last?
1978 CB750K, 2016 R1200 GS/LC, 1973 R75/5

Offline Roach

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Re: I know nothing about paint....
« Reply #8 on: April 06, 2011, 12:19:33 PM »
usually you want the decals to go on before clear so that they have uv protection
1978 CB550K Cafe Racer

Offline vames

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Re: I know nothing about paint....
« Reply #9 on: April 06, 2011, 12:34:28 PM »
Talk to forum member Johnny5 about painting services. I just got my tank back from him and it's so beautiful I can hardly stop staring at it. I bought the decals and he applied them and put the clear over them. Very reasonable pricing as well. Here's the pic he snapped of it before he shipped it to me. The photo doesn't begin to describe how smooth and deep the paint job actually is.

I think he'll also do knee-dents on your tank if you want them.


It'll be on the bike once I put everything back together over the next few weeks.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=53015.25



Offline ThomWill

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Re: I know nothing about paint....
« Reply #10 on: April 06, 2011, 12:59:41 PM »
I was thinking this morning... I need to know more about paint if I am going to get this tank and side panels done.... perfect timing.
Thom

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Offline vames

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Re: I know nothing about paint....
« Reply #11 on: April 06, 2011, 01:07:16 PM »
Here's what I needed to know about paint:

1) Put the the tank and side covers in the trunk of your car or in a strong cardboard box.
2) Bring it or send it to someone who knows what they are doing and uses good quality paint.
3) Pay money.
4) Enjoy a beautiful paint job.
« Last Edit: April 06, 2011, 01:32:02 PM by vames »

Offline anotherCB

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Re: I know nothing about paint....
« Reply #12 on: April 06, 2011, 01:24:35 PM »
Thanks everyone for their help! Can't wait to get my stuff painted!
1978 CB750K, 2016 R1200 GS/LC, 1973 R75/5

Offline Kong

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Re: I know nothing about paint....
« Reply #13 on: April 08, 2011, 05:16:01 AM »
I think Silverback got it right with his comments.  He made you a mighty good offer too.  I'd like to add a little to it for you.  If you want to see what it looks like in green then spray it green.  The painter shouldn't care and if he does there's nothing that says you can't sand it off before you send them to him.  But just to save you some work, almost all of that rattle can paint will wipe right off the parts with a rag and acetone, which is good because rattle can paint is generally hard to sand off, it clogs up paper badly.  Standard automotive paints and painting technique are superior in every way.  But you have to pay a bit for it.

You can put decals on top of or under the clear coat.  If you want to do it under the clear coat what you want to do is by an extra decal and do a test panel first.  Spray a panel with your clear, put on a couple of coats and then let it set for a couple of days.  Sand it with 800p wet paper and then clean it real good.  Then apply your extra decal to it.  Then shoot a good heavy coat of your clear over it.  Now sit back and watch it.  If it stays where you put it, doesn't crack, craze, curl up, run, or turn strange colors then you're good to use the other ones you bought.

There is a side benefit to putting decals in the clear.  It forces you to essentially do a flow coat job on it. 

To do it shoot a typical 3 or 4 coats of clear on the parts and then let them set  24 hours and then sand them just like you were going to cut and buff them but do it to 800p.  Then apply your decals.  Remask, clean the tank (use a degreaser, your paint store will sell it by the gallon, its not expensive) and tack it and then shoot 3 more coats of clear on it.  Then cut and buff it.

By the way, I very much like your choice of colors.  I would suggest that you at least do a little pin striping somewhere on it to break it up though.  If you do that take a look at a color wheel and spend a few minutes reading up on their use before you pick the color for the offsetting color.




« Last Edit: April 08, 2011, 05:18:53 AM by Kong »
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Offline anotherCB

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Re: I know nothing about paint....
« Reply #14 on: April 08, 2011, 06:42:26 AM »
Kong, I see you know what you are talking about! Thanks for all the detailed instrauctions, I won't do any of the professional painting or preparation myself, but this helps me ask the right questions to my future painter! Maybe I will try the rattle can job after all...
1978 CB750K, 2016 R1200 GS/LC, 1973 R75/5