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Painting fork lowers?

Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2013 9:04 am
by Yakama
Whats peoples verdictr on doing this? Is it worth it or will it just chip?

Re: Painting fork lowers?

Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2013 9:09 am
by royster81
Di it but paint it to suit the year of bike, silver for early grey for the rest. When its done it really makes a difference to the front end imho

Re: Painting fork lowers?

Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2013 9:21 am
by Yakama
Its for a special build, so it doesnt really matter what colour but im going ford graphite grey I think, just dont want it chipping after ive done it and then wishng id powder coated them

Re: Painting fork lowers?

Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2013 9:25 am
by royster81
If its for a special powdercoat them flat black then.

Re: Painting fork lowers?

Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2013 3:28 pm
by Neosophist
Yakama wrote:Its for a special build, so it doesnt really matter what colour but im going ford graphite grey I think, just dont want it chipping after ive done it and then wishng id powder coated them
Some good 2K laquer over the top will make it hard as nails.

Only the kind of stones that took the original stuff off will do the same (you wont rub it off)

Re: Painting fork lowers?

Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2013 4:05 pm
by Drunkn Munky
Paint will look better than powder and neo said a 2k paint is as hard as any other paint. I'd be tempted to use a a solid colour rather than base and clear as if you get a chip touching it up will be easier.

Re: Painting fork lowers?

Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2013 8:41 pm
by porndoguk
ive always stuck stickers on the front to absorb the stones etc and then change them periodically

Re: Painting fork lowers?

Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2013 8:47 pm
by Yakama
Thanks guys

Re: Painting fork lowers?

Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2013 10:12 pm
by Marcos
I'm in the process of respraying mine (in Ford Graphite Grey funnily enough!). After paint and lacquer I was thinking about using a clear vinyl wrap around them.

Re: Painting fork lowers?

Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2013 12:15 pm
by StrayAlien
Of course, you could just *not* paint them. Doing this to my forks took only an afternoon and the result is terrific. This is after a race day so not cleaned/polished, but with a bit of autosol they are amazing. And you'd be surprised how little maintenance they need to remain looking great. I had it done to a Harley I have and in two years I have maybe polished them twice and they always look terrific, so I thought I'd give it a go myself on the VFR forks. It was easy.

Total cost was some wet and dry sandpaper ... and a couple of (medicinal) beers. Bling it on ...

Image

If you want to protect the front of the forks then ebay or google "helicopter tape". It comes in various thicknesses and is a (normally) very clear, very hardy tape. This type of tape was originally used on the leading edge of helicopter blades. Perfect for the front of forks.