paint composition

I have searched this forum but was unable to get an answer to this question. I'd like to paint my bike(s) but I cannot use the 'correct' method. Rephrased, I cannot use a gun/compressor as (1) I cannot afford a compressor, and (2) even if I bought the compressor, I'd have to rewire my garage with a dedicated 20amp line...and that I also cannot afford. So, I explored having my bike(s) painted (by reputable painters) and it was quoted (by all) at $800/bike = US$1600...no thanks...I'll buy another bike before I cough up that much money for paint. Now, before I piss someone off...that is a fair price and if I had a Z1 I wouldn't hesitate to have PaintWorkz do my bike....but I have GPz's which apparently have a simple paint (and the stripes are decals, which I already have). So, I'll be painting myself (with rattlecans). NOW, my question is, if I have paint matched (by a quality paint company) and have them package (pressurize) this paint in aerosol cans, will this paint be of a higher quality then the normal off-the-shelf paint such as Dupli-color? Can I expect better results from a custom mixed (but aerosol delivered) paint than off-the-shelf paint?

del

I checked with ColorRite, because they sell their paint in the pint/quart can, or in an aerosol spray (rattle can).
They said that the colored paint is the SAME stuff. BUT... The clear coat has to be mixed with a hardener, and they sell a special kit with a detachable paint container so you can mix the clear with hardener, then spray it on like a rattle can.
This was news to me. I always thought that color was mixed with hardener to give it durability. But ColorRite said that all of the durability is in the clearcoat.
So I guess it just comes down to how nicely you can apply the paint with a rattle can, compared to a high-dollar compressor/gun system.
Edit:
ColorRite does make an aerosol clearcoat in a rattle can that doesn't need a hardener. But it's not recommended for use on m/c fuel tanks, or anywhere else that might see a corrosive enviornment.
Here's a link:
www.colorrite.com/product_info.php?cPath=24&products_id=865

Post edited by: ltdrider, at: 2006/10/18 16:26

or you can rent a gas powered compressor for less than 50 a day and paint it over a weekend

You might want to check around and see if someone has a compressor and gun you could borrow or rent.

I don't know much about the quality of spray can products, but you might look into the Preval system. With the Preval you can mix a catalyzed coating and then spray it with their disposable kit.

Probably worth checking into

if you go to a bodyshop that does production work you will have to pay those kind of prices, I am sure that somewhere around where you live used car dealers have some shops that do work at a much more reasonable price like maybe 250 300 for a bike or cheaper even, I do this type of work and its just as good or better than the production shop, last year I did a suzuki set for a hundred bucks in black, I did a goldwing for 400 in teal base clear,I have been painting for 30years and have quite a few customer cars and trucks that win at car shows so the quality is a good as possible just a lot cheaper, look for a small shop I know they have a few down there

Thank you gentlemen, you have given me food for thought...Michael

i had the same problem,just finished doing up a bike not a kz it was a gl500. the prices i was getting to paint the body panels were too much for me,found a local guy who does cars ,my bike was the first bike he did and he did a really good job for less than half the price of the others.

del