[bikerjosh]

Ok, so I'm in the middle of a new fork build up, using a tw triple clamp with 97' RT180 legs. I want to paint the lowers, but am not sure if I should powder coat or try something else? I also have a 3" extended swingarm I need to paint. If cost was no issue I'd just powder coat the items and be done with it. So what other finishes have the members here done that are durable. Lots of coats of rattle can spray, bed liner, plastic dip?

thanks Josh

 

[lizrdbrth]

FWIW, I've had pretty good luck with DupliColor engine paint of the 500 degree variety.



It contains ceramics and seems pretty tough. My frames are usually powder coated, but since items like the lower legs and swingarms tend to get gravel chips even with powder I find it cheaper to rattle can them.



Brake caliper paints can be tricky, but they're pretty tough, too.

 

[bikerjosh]

FWIW, I've had pretty good luck with DupliColor engine paint of the 500 degree variety.



It contains ceramics and seems pretty tough. My frames are usually powder coated, but since items like the lower legs and swingarms tend to get gravel chips even with powder I find it cheaper to rattle can them.



Brake caliper paints can be tricky, but they're pretty tough, too.

With a weekend full of rain, looks like I have a project.

One question, I've used dupli wheel paint, but not there engine paint. Is one coat of base primer enough? Do you typically sand between coats of the engine paint? How many coats would you suggest?

Ok that was more than one question, but I haven't had my coffee yet.

thanks

josh

 

[lizrdbrth]

With a weekend full of rain, looks like I have a project.

One question, I've used dupli wheel paint, but not there engine paint. Is one coat of base primer enough? Do you typically sand between coats of the engine paint? How many coats would you suggest?

Ok that was more than one question, but I haven't had my coffee yet.

thanks

josh

I don't disturb or prime over factory paint if I can help it. I get it scrupulously clean, feather out any pimples, scuff it with Scotchbrite. clean it again with soap and water, then spray. If you feather the dings well enough this paint sticks like snot to bare metal without showing. If you're after a mirror finish you'll prolly need to build it with primer.



With the Duplicolor I find it's more a matter of thickness than coats. Spray in really good light, fog the entire piece, let it flash, then continue.





This is easier to judge with the flats and semi-glosses, as they go on glossy, then dull up a bit as they flash. I just re-wet them in light coats, but short of the point of getting runs in the paint. and do the job in one sitting, rather than recoat. Twice around after the fog coat usually does it. With the glosses I just make sure I give them 15-20 minutes to flash, resisting the temptation to hit any uneven parts again until the next coat. Most of this stuff has a 7 day burnoff before you can recoat.

 

[bikerjosh]

Thanks-Josh