Paint Job on the Cheap

Ok, I recently purchased a KZ440 which has a crappy looking gas tank. I have been thinking about options for a cheap, do it yourself paint job. I know that a rattle can job will likely look bad within a short amount of time so I guess that's out.

So my next idea was to use some of the gloss black POR-15 paint/sealer. Is there any reason why this wouldn't work or would be dangerous or cause problems with a gas tank?

The rattle-can jobs can be done quite well; they won't pass for show quality, but I've seen (and done) some work that is "worthy". Sherman-Williams just came out with a rattle-can that is supposed to be on par with anything. Haven't tried it myself, but I have heard from experts in the industry (body shop guys) that the stuff has impressed even them. That'd be my suggestion. A simple single color with plain old pin-stripes always looked good on the little 400/440s.

Last winter I painted my car using Tremclad, a roller, a brush and an occasional spray can to get the hard to reach areas! I guarantee you that you wouldn't know unless I told you otherwise. The key to any paint job is in the wet sanding and polishing. I'll be using the same technique this winter to paint my 650. Here are a couple of pics of the car.



Tremclad Gloss Black on Roof:


Tremclad Gloss White on Body:


Showing reflection of Jordan poster on garage wall:


Post edited by: HerrDeacon, at: 2007/12/02 06:14

That paint job was done with a roller and paint brush???????????????????????

Wait for it. :whistle:

Bluemeanie wrote:

That paint job was done with a roller and paint brush???????????????????????

Yup I did use a rattle can for some of the spots that were too hard to get to or too small for the polisher to reach, but the rest is done with a roller and brush. It was all done for less than $150 (paint, rollers, brushes, mineral spirits, sand paper, and polish). It was the most liberating experience. I'm no longer worried about my paint, I can fix it up anytime at very minimal cost.

The reason I painted it myself this way is because I had the rear end painted to fix some rust and the "professional job" was brutal. I swore I would never let anyone else touch it again.

RetroRiceRocketRider wrote:

Wait for it. :whistle:

ha-ha

HerrDeacon,

You must have read about the guy who wrote about this method on the Mopar forum?

I want to try it on a bike tank I have and see how it holds up, especially around gas. Tremclad is only sold in Canada, but it's made by Rustoleum.

HerrDeacon,

That is truly amazing what you've done there. How much wet sanding did you do?

I ended up doing a spray can job today on my tank. I think it's going to come out pretty nice.

I also got some CLR and BB's and cleaned out the rusty inside of my tank (before painting).

I jumped the gun last night and ordered some (expensive) POR-15 Blackcote. I have a spare tank in the mail so maybe I'll try it on that one.

Post edited by: EasyRider1, at: 2007/12/02 21:01

I did my bike using the roller method as well. However, I used the brightside paint. It has held up well when I spilled gas on it. Based on all I've read on the mopar forum I'm confident that it will last for a good while.

I'll see if I can post a picture for you a bit later.

Post edited by: Little B, at: 2007/12/02 21:21

My .02

1. Can we all agree that preparation before the paint is crucial to the final outcome?
2. Can we all agree that the cost of aforementioned no matter what paint method you use will be the same?
3. Can we all agree that when you get to the place where you're ready to paint that the hard part is done?
4. Do we have an air compressor? No? Can we borrow one?
5. Do we have access to, or can we buy an $80 paint gun?
6. Would it be easier to sand once after painting urethane single stage or mulitple times between coats of Tremclad?

I know, some of you are PO'd off by now, but that isn't my intention. I have tought people to do paint and body work. About %10 just don't have it in them to lay down paint from a spray gun. Of that %10, one in ten can't do much at all without screwing it up. The other nine are just impatient.

My point is that YOU should not be afraid to try the so-thought-to-be taboo art of spraying paint from a gun. The white Nissan looks good, I do agree and will take nothing from the gentleman who did the work on it.

I agree, turpehar. What really makes a difference in the final outcome is the care taken during prep. Patience, as you said, is just as important. I'll see if I can apply those when my time comes.