Hey fellas,

Start off by saying that I have a softy custom, 10 model in blue over silver.

I have modded it a fair bit, pipes, tuner( thanks GMEIKLE) pegs, grips ,swingarm, tailight etc etc.

Mate stacked his 09 softail custom very slightly, and I scored his tins as only light scuffing on the tank.

Guards etc all good. Got them at the right price. Gee the factory paint is pretty thick, I was quite surprised.

Long story short, gonna soda blast them and go the custom paint route in the end.

Short term plan, i was gonna have a go at painting them in Black denim / hot rod black.

Has anyone had a go at this?? And I dont mean aerosol spray cans, proper spray job.

I will have a go at anything myself, painted plenty of trailers, skid cars etc, but understand this

is my pride and joy. So have any of the good folk on here had a go themselves, and have some tips?

Just chasing something different for a change, and dont want to wreck my original paint set.

Thought to myself why not, if i F#$@k it up, get it sprayed by a pro.

Your thoughts people........

 

Don't go the cheap route of using matt paint, do it properly as a C.O.B (clear over base). After etch primer then primer/filler lay down a black base coat and add the required amount of matting agent to the clear coat. By doing it as a C.O.B not only will you get a far better finish, it will also stand the test of time.
Best of luck and don't forget to throw up some before, during and after pics

Ink dont waste your money by blasting the original finish, soda blasting is expencive and believe me the factory finish wont come of easilly....
Is the tank or guards actually dented or only deep gravel rash ?
Gravel rash can be block sanded, puttied and Hi-Filled over the area that is damaged... then you can prep the original paint and use this as your base....
What colour is the paint now ???
Im always around so contact me if you need advice.

Wayne
WMC Customs
M: 0409 042 790
E: wmc-customs@hotmail.com

is it possible to get all the tins and tank powder coated in a matt/satan finish? if so wouldn't it last longer? and be more resistant to scratches/chips?

Regards Andrew - T1

Wayne, the tanks / guards came off a blue flame / black 09 softail custom. Actually not that bad, small gravel rash
on the tip of the front guard, rear guard is perfect. The left hand side of the tank has reasonably deep gravel rash,
and a small dent where the bars made a indent, about the size of a 5cent coin.

So you think I should use the original paint as a base?
Just Hi Fill in the rash, putty up the dent and scuff back?
Not a painters ass%$^# but can do industrial stuff ok ha ha
Just havin' a play, all ideas appreciated

Beware of Powdercoat on any fluid vessels as powder will actually flex under stress,
where paint will crack and rust or leak quickly revealing any oil or fuel leaks before disaster.....
This is also a good rule of thumb when using aftermarket frames for projects, for the same reason,
cracking will be revealed easier and quicker avoiding disaster.....

Beware of Powdercoat on any fluid vessels as powder will actually flex under stress,
where paint will crack and rust or leak quickly revealing any oil or fuel leaks before disaster.....
This is also a good rule of thumb when using aftermarket frames for projects, for the same reason,
cracking will be revealed easier and quicker avoiding disaster.....

Beware of Powdercoat on any fluid vessels as powder will actually flex under stress,
where paint will crack and rust or leak quickly revealing any oil or fuel leaks before disaster.....
This is also a good rule of thumb when using aftermarket frames for projects, for the same reason,
cracking will be revealed easier and quicker avoiding disaster.....

Oh cool 3 posts...
Factory paint is some of the best I have ever seen....
What I would do is find the local radiator place and have them hot tank your tanks,
should NOT remove paint only scale and gunk, he will rinse and clean properly,
never seen this cost more than $30.00......
Next visit your local panel shop and ask if the ding is big enough for the Easy Beat,
if they are any sort of shop they will get it up for you at minimal cost, they have the tools you dont.....
Or tell you the best way to repair with putties and blocks.... Tell them tanks have been cleaned already
or they will want to clean them again...
Next visit local paint supply shop and buy 500ml quantaties of any colour as a minimum....
Generic brand Hi Fills, Reducers & Hardeners, a spray can of ACRYLIC black for guide coat...
Head home and start having a go , take your time feel everything all the time,
keep evrything clean and grease free, and take your time, enjoy and dont be afraid to ask questions....
REMEMBER your mate with a few tinnies who has seen it all done before is not HELPING......

How you going with the job Ink ?

So, a bit of an update.  I had a bit of a go at painting both guards in the last week, and here is what came out of the man cave.
I decided to go with a jet black base instead of the hot rod matte black, with silver flames.  I should have got before and after photos
but once I got started I got consumed ha ha.  The tank photo is how they started life after the blaster.
I fairly loaded the gun up to give it a bit of a industrial look, and also because I am a novice.  More paint means better coverage
when you are starting out.  I was going to attempt the pinstriping of the flames, but I think it might be above me so am looking to
get them done properly. The biggest part of the whole job apart from prep was the layout and masking of the flames.
I did alot of research, drew the flames freehand with a wax pencil, and layed out the pattern using 6mm 3m blue vinyl tape.
Fair bit of mucking around, took me ages just laying out the flames, but I am happy with the results so far.

Moving on to the tank, It needs a little prep work on the lhs, but hopefully it shoudn't be to bad.  Hoping to start the tank in a fortnight.
I am glad I had  a go, makes you appreciate how much work goes in to a custom job that you see at some bike shows.
The guys that do that must have a heap of patience..
@ BURP*
I just relied on whiskey to get me through.......................

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

it is looking shit hot. good work mate.

pick your brain for a sec mate ... was looking at getting a compressor, part reason to get into some painting. can you use the 2hp type of compressors for this kind of work or do you need the smaller ones ?

Hey Chef,
I've got a 2.5hp Bunnings job in the shed, cant exactly remember the make at the moment.
Thats all I used. To be honest, I have enjoyed this project so much I might get a cheap airbrush
in the future and start having a bit more of a play. Go hard son. Hope that helps mate

There used to be night courses at TAFE where you could do these
little jobs with all the right tools and guidance by pro's...
Dont know if they are still available.