Testarossa's 78 KZ1000 Fighter Build

First check and make sure the buffing compound you have is formulated for urethane paint. I assume your buffer is electric? Is it variable speed or on/off? 2000 grit it great, it will make buffing out the sanding scratches quicker. You can start buffing your parts now but if you have an electric buffer that is an on/off model, you will want to keep an eye on your work piece, and stop once you've buffed off the last application of compound, and reapply compound. Be especially carefull on edges, as those will be the first and most sucesptible to burning through with a dry pad/too much pressure/too much speed. If you have edges (leading edge of sidecovers, tail, emblem mounts sticking up) that do not need to be buffed, stick a piece of masking take over that edge to protect it from the possiblity of burning through. Don't worry about the runs, they look pretty flat. Even pro's still get runs. Thats why they make sandpaper.....it's not just for the hobby painter market Good luck

super awesome. You're making me feel bad about not working on mine...

OK the buffer is electric and variable. I'll check on the compound. Tape edges, check.

I must say that I'm pleased with how the wet sanding is going. The runs that I have worked on are coming out. I don't think that my paint will be a 10, but it will be a 9.8. Thanks for all your help.

Nelson wrote:

super awesome. You're making me feel bad about not working on mine...

Thanks Nelson. After seeing the pics of my bike without the seat, and seeing your photoshop avatar of your bike, it makes me think that I need to make a seat like your rendering. That's a future project, but I like to steal design ideas where I can take them. My current seat works, but I need to address it in the future. Your photoshop picture is the inspiration for my future seat.

Now get your ass to work. Don't feel bad. Do something about it! Can't never could.

Dude, you do a decent job wet sanding your runs down, and you wouldn't be able to tell the difference if there was a run there, or it was some slight orange peel that you sanded out. You're welcome Josh

Yhe paint job is looking real good.im at the primer stage right now and there is a BIG learning curve.I was watching a you tube how to on how to remove runs.this guy used a razor blade on edge to get the thickest part and then wet sanded it flat.i tried this method on my primer coat and it worked pretty good.after the 3rd time of applying and then sanding I realized first that my mix had to sit 30 minutes before you spray it and that I was holding the gun to close.3rd time was a charm got it to lay flat.without runs.yours is looking sweet.dont think a pro could have done much better.and Im sure you got it done alot cheaper with pride knowing you did it yourself.

testarossa wrote:

Adam, I do have a buffer and rubbing compound, polishing compound and swirl remover. I have used the buffer before so I'm confident that I can restore a shine to paint that has been color sanded. However, I have only done old paint. How long do I need to wait to buff the new paint on my parts?

I have been working on the color sanding. I got the front fender done today, and started on the tank. The tail and side covers will be easy since they have minimal issues. The tank is the worst, but I started on the fender since it will be the least noticeable when installed.

Here's a picture to show the runs in the tank. I have successfully removed similar runs on the other side already.

thats weird , i have one like that under my nose right now too

But is it as shiny? :woohoo:

The paint is all PPG shot from a DeVilbiss Finishline HVLP

This is the same paint and spray gun I used to do my KZ750.

Your paint job looks excellent Josh. Nice work.

I am in love with the Blue top stripe....

Fabulas!!

wow!it is going to look k!cka$$.
good job with the paint.
my buddy has been painting for like 20 years and i have never heard him not bitch about something messing up somehow,with every paint job he does.he always fixes it but it seems that it is always something.
i guess that is part of being experienced is being able to fix your mis-haps.
keep up the good work,

leon

Good news, bad news today. I got all the runs sanded out of the paint on the tank. However, I noticed that my sandpaper started picking up blue in one area. I guess that I'll get some more practice shooting clear, since I sanded through the clear in a small area. That spot was low on the tank, so I guess that I didn't get a very good coat of clear in that area. This time, I'm going to build myself a stand so that I can shoot the lower areas better than painting on my bucket.