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Post by scooter on Aug 7, 2014 1:19:11 GMT -5
My scoot has some scratches and scuffs on it and even a crack or two. I am thinking or painting it but I don't know what kind of paint to use. The finish on it now is very strong and tough. Can you get that in a can? I also have a sprayer that I have never used, but I'm a little leery about mixing and all of that. I have also heard of people painting their vehicles with plasti-dip? Plus there are vinyl wraps and decals. What's your advice about putting on a fresh finish?
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Post by oldchopperguy on Aug 7, 2014 9:26:11 GMT -5
Scooter,
First, WELCOME TO THE SITE!
I've been painting my bikes for more than fifty years... And I still like the "old-school" lacquer... Fix the cracks and reinforce with epoxy on the back, sand to perfection, apply several coats of lacquer "sanding filler/primer" sanded smooth (it FILLS minor imperfections, and sands quickly) then apply several good coats of color lacquer, wet-sanded and rubbed out, OR clear-coated for the "wet" looking shine.
There are modern paints some younger folks prefer, and I've also had great results with ENAMEL. However, lacquer dries "right now" and enamel takes 4-ever to fully harden.
Today, you CAN get high-quality automotive-grade LACQUER in spray-cans. "Rattle-can" paint now is available in auto-stores with EXCELLENT spray-nozzles rivaling a good air-brush. THAT makes a doing a professional, and durable paint-job far easier than when I was young.
I love lacquer because it dries SO fast, and if you develop a run or sag, or have some dust in the finish, it can be wet-sanded out. VERY forgiving. For the record, Rustoleum has some good lacquer in spray cans (limited colors) that dries glossy like enamel, but it does NOT dry fast like "normal" lacquer. For lacquer, I'd stay with brands made to match auto-colors available at the better auto-parts stores. With these new-generation spray-cans, you just don't need to mess with a spray-outfit except on projects larger than scooter parts. I see NO stigma from using spray cans these days.
If you DO want to use enamel, I've had best results with Rustoleum and Krylon brands. I have a slight preference for Krylon in its application properties. I've done several bicycles and other projects with professional results, but remember... Enamel takes around a FULL SEASON to harden. Leave a tool, or bungee-cord or anything touching the finish and it will eat into the enamel for about a YEAR!
Whatever you use for your finish color, a clear-coat is the icing on the cake for a professional look. The clear will also seal any graphics you might apply to the paint. (Test first to be sure a lacquer clear-coat doesn't eat into the graphic). I have sometimes used a clear-enamel over a lacquer job, to avoid damaging a delicate decal I wanted to seal over. I just remember to handle the clear with kid gloves of a year...
My final thought here is that on any item getting heavy use, like a scooter, cycle, car, boat, etc. I'd still stick with lacquer for fast-dry and long-life. And the finish will only be as good as what's underneath... LOL! So be sure to use plenty of filler/primer and sand it well for that perfect look.
Also, remember: ENAMEL can be painted OVER LACQUER. But LACQUER can not be applied over ENAMEL. Lacquer will eat into, and RUIN enamel.
Hope this helps,
Leo in Texas
PS: Be prepared to spend a few bucks... Paint has doubled, tripled and quadrupled in price in the last few years. A decade ago, a 16 oz spray-can of automotive lacquer was about $2. Now, an 8 oz can is around $10 so it will cost you somewhere around $50 to $100 to do a great job. |
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Post by urbanmadness on Aug 7, 2014 9:38:16 GMT -5
What makes it difficult, is you don't what type of paint is on the bike when you start (did they use lacquer?).... I've had good results with Rustoluem Acrylic Lacquer. Just clear it with the same product (they make a clear acrylic lacquer)... and yes, spray bombs... just make sure to use light coats. No need to prime it, using the rustoluem, just scuff it with some scotchbrite, or 600 grit. Be ready to sand any orange peal out between coats but the rustoluem lays down really flat. I can't stress enough, that just masking it off isn't the way to paint one of these bikes... take the panels off.... It's a pain, but the results are so much better.   |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Aug 7, 2014 9:43:05 GMT -5
Urbanmadness has a good point...
I believe most Chinese scoots use lacquer. The Chinese are MASTERS of lacquer... And if the paint underneath is smooth, you wouldn't need to prime. I specified filler/primer because you had damage to repair, and the lacquer filler/primer is FANTASTIC when a smoothing out of repairs is needed... LOL!
Leo
PS: I think nobody short of "Horny Mike" on "Counting Cars" TV does skulls as good as Urbanmadness! I've never tried the acrylic lacquer, but if Urbanmadness uses it, it must work well!
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Post by urbanmadness on Aug 7, 2014 10:19:11 GMT -5
Thanks OC for the props.... If you paint with the Acrylic Laquear, you have to clear it. It will scuff pretty easy if you don't. As for the airbrush work, that was done with ModelMaster Laquear black, thined down with thinner. 2 to 1. Getting ready to touch up and then clear the whole bike... Then I'm startin on another one.... My buddy has the same bike (his is a 150) and wants to do a Transformer/Barricade theme on it.  Said I wanted to do one... now's my chance... Sadly, no air bursh work on that one. We are gonna use vinyl for the shield and lettering.... The next paint project (besides a helmet, I'll be doing in a few weeks) is gonna be the ol' wing.... Thinking of going with a native american theme... I have purchased one templet but I still need to figure out what base color, and exactly what templetes I want to use. My buddy also wants me to do a Reaper on his helmet... |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Aug 7, 2014 10:28:05 GMT -5
Thanks OC for the props.... If you paint with the Acrylic Laquear, you have to clear it. It will scuff pretty easy if you don't. As for the airbrush work, that was done with ModelMaster Laquear black, thined down with thinner. 2 to 1. Getting ready to touch up and then clear the whole bike... Then I'm startin on another one.... My buddy has the same bike (his is a 150) and wants to do a Transformer/Barricade theme on it. Said I wanted to do one... now's my chance... Sadly, no air bursh work on that one. We are gonna use vinyl for the shield and lettering.... The next paint project (besides a helmet, I'll be doing in a few weeks) is gonna be the ol' wing.... Thinking of going with a native american theme... I have purchased one templet but I still need to figure out what base color, and exactly what templetes I want to use. My buddy also wants me to do a Reaper on his helmet...
You have a MAJOR talent there... I love the idea of a Native American them on the Wing. For colors, you might check out Southwestern artwork. There is a LOT of neat stuff out there for inspiration. Your theme may be influenced by the bike itself. If it's still a "bagger" with bags, trunk, etc it's like a billboard, with plenty of space for graphics. If it's bare-bones, the tank is about all there is.... Maybe a turquoise frame, with burnt-orange tank and rims... Maybe some traditional Indian shapes and designs like those found in woven blankets, moccasins, etc. Lots of neat ways to go! We'll be watching for it! Ride safe, ride colorful!Leo |
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Post by urbanmadness on Aug 7, 2014 10:42:14 GMT -5
It's a fully loaded Aspincade... Hard bags, fairing.... It has just about every option they had in '82... CB, Stereo, Cassett Deck, onboard aircompressor for the air ride.... Intercomm system. It all worked when I got it, although the Amp for the audio is pretty bad... and the headsets are missing.... So I just put a regular amp in one of the saddle bags, and used the stock speakers and an MP3 player for tunes... it works... and it's more modern and fits my needs a bit better...
For paint, I have been looking at alot of indian Chiefs, feathers and dream catchers. I am probably going to go with alot of yellows and browns.
Oh one last note on paint... Rustoluem black, at least in thier oil based enamal, isn't a very good black... It's more chocolate in the bright sun. Just something to consider if he's going with Rustoluem, if he wants black, and goes with the laquer, I'd test it on something first....
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Post by scooter on Aug 8, 2014 1:03:10 GMT -5
Thanks, Old Chopper Guy! I appreciate your advice! I've enjoyed reading everyone's posts!
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Post by scooter on Aug 8, 2014 1:04:34 GMT -5
Thanks Urbanmadness! That white bike looks sharp! I think I saw a whole write-up you did about applying the skulls too.
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