DIY paint?

I've got a new older bike that needs a new paint job. The current paint is doing okay but there are a few rust spots on the tank. It looks like it was a good job but not professional so I just want to go with a glossy black and save up for a professional.

Any advice on how to do a decent rattle can job? Sand, sand, and sand some more?

Yeah, just get it nice and smooth, then lay down a sandable primer. That'll fill some small nicks and show you any imperfections. Sand down the imperfections, prime again until you're happy. Then you can wetsand the primer if you want with soapy water and some 600 grit water paper, purely an optional step though. When the primed surface looks nice, spray your colour. Go slow, put down very light coats to avoid runs. Then you're done, and it wont look half bad either.

You can sand the color coat too, if you feel you need additional color coats, 600 between coats and if you want not have any dust or ripple, then buff it out. Use some 1500 then 2000 wet dry paper on the final layer, wet sand till you have a uniform dull surface, not shiny areas or shiny pit spots, then buff with some Meguires or equiv, heavy cut cleaner with a lambs wool pad then some finishing compound on a foam pad, possible need to finish up with some swirl remover. I have never tried it with regular enamels but just did it with some rattle can lacquer and it came out pretty nice, no dust specks, and pretty glossy shine. I suppose you could use clear lacquer for the final coat, may leave a deeper looking finish.

you will get friggin tired of sanding, sanding, sanding, sanding and more sanding then buffing BUT for like 10 bucks in paint and maybe $25 - $35 in buffing supplies you can get a pretty darn nice finish.

I found a little 3" buff pad set that I put in my right angle drill that works slick, way easier than a monster 8" buffer that you would finish a car with.

You can actually buff by hand too just like sanding using soft terry cloths and such but it takes WAY more elbow grease than my sorry butt can put into it.

Rots of Ruck

Very nice, thank you. I didn't think of buffing it with a drill, that sounds right up my lazy ally. I'll grab some paint and supplies an try it on one of the side panels.

I usually sand after all stages: primer, colour and clear. Helps to even out the surface which really helps to give you the shine. I have a dual action polisher to bring the shine back. I use three different grades of polish on the clear after sanding (ending in 2000 grit) then finish with wax. I find Meguiar's polish to be great.

You gotta show me how it's done this summer man. I want my tins to gleam, and I'm not there yet, mainly because no patience, but I dont know exactly how to polish either.

you guys are just to ambitious my ideal paint job is a good fifty footer. looks good from fifty feet away.

No problem. I'm far from a professional but I can get pretty decent results from a rattle can. I have to redo mine this summer as my front MC leaked last year and sprayed the tank ruining the clear coat

timebomb33 wrote:

you guys are just to ambitious my ideal paint job is a good fifty footer. looks good from fifty feet away.

LOL, you're too fast for anyone to see the paint job anyway!

HerrDeacon wrote:

No problem. I'm far from a professional but I can get pretty decent results from a rattle can. I have to redo mine this summer as my front MC leaked last year and sprayed the tank ruining the clear coat

Oh shitty. Ah well, maybe I can stop by when you're at it and watch.