Painting - how hard can it be....?

[SimNC30]

Its pretty easy but good preperation and somewhere big enough to do it is vital. Ive had pretty good results with the proper paint cans you get from paint suppliers. There quite pricey compared to halfords but their match any colour you want and the spray nozzle's used on these cans give a much better spray.

I am planning to get the paint from RS Paint who know the exact colours I need and were really helpful on the phone. They said their rattle cans give professional results, so I'll have to see I guess. If i do go ahead and do it myself i will take photos for and get them on here for much 'look how he's bodged that' hilarity...

[viper_biker]

The last photo - ouch. What was the damage to yourself and the bike?

Me - Lucky to keep my leg from the knee down as I just missed the nerve. Footpeg went in and out,

Before Surgery,



After Surgery,



6 weeks post surgey,



As for the bike, it was broken for parts.

[VfRTeddy]

Ouch looks nasty an y u break the bike for parts ive seen some far worse than that after pickin them up an then seen them out the next day lol.
u see lots of nasty ones like that from the orange side of the barrier lol

[Neosophist]

It's not that difficult to paint plastic fairings.

You'll need,

Practice and experience
The right equipment
Appropriate prep time.

The best type of paint to use at home would be 2K from a spray gun, of course your going to need thinners and a suitable compressor / gun (not cheap homebase one). If spraying from a gun / compressor, the quality of the gun makes all the difference!

You can of course use rattle cans but the quality of the finish isn't usually anywhere near as good as decent paint. (mind you, depends on whats in the cans

Preparation is the key, rub it down, then rub it down again, then rub it down some more

Degrease everything and run lots of water / allow it to air-dry before priming / painting.

If your applying a final coat of laquer you'll have to flatten the finish off the paint beforehand.. this involves rubbing the paint all over with some fine wet and dry, 1500grade or higher (use lots of soapy water) to take the shine off the paint and key the surface to allow the laquer to stick.

Here's one of my old bikes I painted using water-based Red paint and coated with clear 2K laquer. It was a horrible purple before.

You can't really tell how good the finish was from the pictures but it was like glass :D

[fixer]

Hi i have just had a front mudguard and inner radiator cowl resprayed in NH196 white.For my nc30,100 pound.Very pleased with the result.I reckon your quote of 300 pound is good one.The lad who did my work had done previous work on cars we had owned so knew his standard of work was first class.Its the same old story you get what you pay for.