How to prep and paint OEM bags with rattle cans.

I purchased a set of used OEM bags for my 2003 VFR from the classifieds on this site. I purchased my bike used last October and it came with the OEM rack. The bags I purchased were red, off of two different bikes and the left one was scratched pretty bad. My bike is silver. No big deal, I decided to save hundreds of dollars and paint them myself. I don't have a big enough compressor to spray with so I decided on rattle cans. I found some Duplicolor cans on sale at a local store. I purchased 3 cans of black primer, 3 cans of silver T191 Ultra Silver and 3 cans of Acrylic clear coat. I was trying to get a silver as close to OEM as possible, but didn't mind if it was off a little off. I set up a 6 foot folding table in my garage covered in newspaper. Cover everything you don't want paint on, there will be metal flake floating in the garage, but it doesn't stick and can be wiped off. Make sure the area is well ventilated, but also make sure it doesn't have wind blowing dust on your wet paint. Also uses a mask so you don't breathe in the paint. Here is how I painted the bags.

Here is what they looked like when I received them.




I left the lids on and left them on the table corner, so I could walk around them and have access to all sides. I took my time and masked them off with masking tape, some heavy packing paper and an Exact o knife. It is important to take your time and be precise, most of the work is prep work.

I wet sanded down to the plastic on the left bag due to the deep scratches, I am sure the bike this came off of was dropped, but no cracks. I started with 400 grit and worked my way up to 800 and 1000. Keep the paper wet and take your time. Try to wear gloves or you will get blisters. The non scratched bag, I just used 600 and 800 grit to prepare the surface for the primer. I felt bad because the finish was so nice on the right bag.



I then used an old cotton T shirt and some wax/grease remover I purchased from Auto-zone and wiped the bags down carefully. Then I wiped with a tack cloth to be certain that all of the lint was gone. Then I proceeded with the first coat of primer. I followed the instructions on the can. I sprayed maybe 6 light coats with about 10 minutes in between coats. Remember to paint in long steady horizontal motions and keep spraying passed the bags. Keep it moving or you will get drips and runs. Hold 8 to 10 inches from what you are painting. You might want to practice on some cardboard before you try on the bags.




I let the primer dry overnight. I then wet sanded the primer with 1000 grit, but not too much because the paint is thin and you don't want to expose the undercoating. Again wipe with wax/grease remover and a tack cloth.

Next I started the top coat. I read the instructions on the can, several light coats, and 10 or 15 minutes drying in between coats. I sprayed about 12 coats. Don't worry if the finish looks like an orange peel or is a little rough. The clear coat will cover this.



After done with the top coat, let dry overnight. I did not wet sand to prepare for clear coat, just wiped with wax/grease remover and tack cloth again. If you sand here you will see the marks through the clear coat.

Now for the clear coat. I used all acrylic paint wich is durable, dry's quickly and in my case was readily available and affordable. I sprayed as many coats as I had paint for, maybe 12 coats, waiting 10 minutes between coats.





I let this dry for a couple of days. Then I carefully removed the masking, and mounted to the bike. After a couple of more days you should apply wax to protect the finish. Really you should let dry for about 1 week.




Tips: Get a type of paint that has a nozzle with a flat spray pattern, you don't want a circular spray pattern. Spend some time prepping, take your time. Leaving the lids on will require you to do some painting the lips of the lid at a weird angle. I would suggest trying to find a stand that is a little smaller than the bag so you can access these areas. I still had a little red on the lid lips I couldn't reach due to the large table. I wound up just touching up with a brush on the lip, but is not noticeable. Also, buy an extra can of the top coat and save it if you need to do any touch ups later. Also, read on the can what temperature you should use the paint. The paint doesn't dry if it is too cold.

I wound up spending about $50 and saving about $200 doing this myself and most of my friends are impressed on how good it looks, you can't tell it was done with cans.

 

Looks great and a real money saver!
I bought a pair of Corbin bags for my 99 off of ebay for 600 bucks. They were red and, as you can see from my Avatar, my bike is not. Took them to a friend who paints cars to have them painted and he matched the bike perfectly along with the clear coat. It cost me $500 bucks to do it (the paint was quite expensive to match with the subtle fleck). New bags (if still available from Corbin) would have cost me 1,699 US plus taxes and delivery so I still think I did okay.

 

as a plus. wait about a month and wet sand with 1000 grit and polish out. Any orange peel will vanish.

 

Brock,
Thanks for the post. I haven't decided which way to go yet, but if decide on the rattle can route, this'll by my go-to guide. You finished product looks great.
Ned