Z1 Switch Restoration

I have a friend that does unbelievable work on restoring bikes.

If i can dig some pics up i will post them on a bunch of Z1Rs he has restored.

Anyho he is starting a business restoring Z1 Switches. His web site is not up yet but if you want to get in contact with him just PM me.Roy

Nice if you ask me. Roy

He told me he would do other switches other than Z1s .

roy-b-boy-b wrote:

He told me he would do other switches other than Z1s .

i think thats what everyone wanted to hear

Old thread I know, but is this gentleman currently restoring switches?

I'm not sure if this guy still does it or not, but doing your own switches isnt too hard, soak them i. Stripper, wire brush them off to strip, give them a light sanding, paint the black and clear, then blob the color on and wipe off with a stiff sponge. Turns out nice

These, are for my H2; about the only thing I have finished on it, outside the headlight and gauges

You can also use fine tip roller ball paint markers sold at most Arts &Craft or Hobby shops to repaint the lettering. Correct gloss sheathing for the wiring is available from vintageconnections.com.

Is there a consensus on what paint looks most like factory?

I'm also wondering if powder coating the housings would fill the lettering recesses? I believe it's thicker than paint.

A good powder coater can do a thin layer on your switch housings, I just use the cheapest (99 cent) black spray paint I can find, and the matching craft paints, i've got a red, yellow and white I use to do my switches. And of course 2k spray clear

I tried messing with brushes and all that crap before, dont. I used to win all sorts of art contests in school, state, regional etc, so I'm used to detail paintwork, guess what, looks like crap. I just blob it on, wet a sponge and wipe it off, as long as your letters were CLEAN when you prepped you're gonna look good (remember a good wire brush when stripping it, I've got one just for stripping paint)

floivanus are you using water base paint for the letters?

Some folks use Testors model paint for the letters, and it seems to work very well. Below is a link to a thread on another site where someone refinishes their handlebar switches very nicely. Ed

forums.kz650.info/index.php?topic=3398.0

I think water based paint for the letters would be key. I don't think it would affect the black paint when wiping off the excess since it's water based. Testors Acrylic is water based and they also offer an enamel. I'd be afraid that the enamel would harm the black.