This Coming Week's Main Task

Heading to my buddy's place on Wednesday to paint an extra set of OEM bodywork for my NS400R.

These will be done in Rothmans livery.

My second full paint job, this time 2 tone, white with blue metallic (Ford Sonic Blue).

 

Best of luck to ya Stray....trying to paint a NT650 tank right now but the weather will not cooperate.

 

Im fortunate to have access to my buddys pro paint booth, and have him there to coach me as I go.

 

You want to do another 20 pieces while you're at it? I'll ship all of mine that are waiting for paint! hah.

Actually, considering you're our resident GSXR expert... do you know how to fit GSXR track bodywork to an SV650 (kidding)? I spent two hours today with the guy I bought it from going over it, but I'm already getting anxious just looking at all the parts and custom fab I gotta do, haha. Talking motorcycles with a real life human being for the first time in person since September was refreshing as hell. Had no idea how much I was missing it.

This is my (not weekend) project. Juggling the full re-vamp on the VF500 and this. Still trying to find a place to have my Honda frame blasted and powder coated so I can start re-assembling a few things. Lot of cleaning, sanding, and busywork in my future.

Every time I bitch about the cold in WI I remember how much colder it is where you're at!

 

That will look good with GSXR bodywork. problem you'll have is, it will stat to miss-fire as soon as that fairing goes on. -- lol

 

Today was paint day, I think I did pretty well. Will let it all dry for a week before i put the decals on, ill then re-clear the tank

 

Nice!!

 

Yea, im pretty happy with it. No Runs, No Dry Spray. I was at my buddy's from 8:30am to 2:30pm doing it. Ill pick it all up tomorrow once its dry enough to remove and transport it.

 

Makes me want to take up smoking! Nice work. My painting limit was the VFR clutch cover, it would be great to have the skills/place to work on bodywork.

 

Good job! It is always a butt kicker to get that last "wet" coat on there right.

Mine always comes out really dry and I have to do a color sand on it.

 

Thanks ! I think its really the combination of the right gun settings, along with the right speed and distance as you paint. I bought a HVLP Cartman gun with a 1.3mm tip off Amazon for $70 CAD, and for the money the Gun has been shockingly good. Its got a great feel and the paint goes on really nice. Im fortunate that my buddy (pro painter) sets up the gun for me and I do the rest and he kinda keeps an eye on me and my technique. Im gonna setup the gun myself next time...gotta learn

As the paint goes on you can tell if your not getting enough coverage. I kinda take a good look at each panel after im done to make sure, if not I give it another shot to ensure it flows out nice.

I buy the paint "Ready to Spray". its all pre mixed and it basically pour/filter and shoot. The clear you have to mix with the hardener.

I used 1.5 Pints of white (RTS) and 1 Pint of Blue (RTS) and 1.5 - 2 pints of clear

 

Thanks

Yea it is, my buddy is a good guy, very helpful and happy to spend the day coaching me as I do this.

Yes, its Base Coat , then Clear Coat

Base coats are kinda satin, and then the clear coat adds the shine.

Basically , I painted the whole lot white (2 coats, with about 15 -20 min between coats). after the second coat of white, I waited about an hour and 15 minutes then masked off the white and painted the blue.

Clear was done in 2 coats with 10-12 minutes between coats of clear

Once it fully cures in a week, ill sand the tank again with 800/1000 grit or an ultra fine sponge sanding pad (being careful to not sand thru the clear), apply the tank decals and then re- clear coat the tank.

 

I suck at a list of things that continues to grow, already on that list.....is painting. Don't have the patience or the inclination to obtain it. Nice work.

 

Its the part of the rest process I enjoy most.

home sweet home...

 

Hell yes. Yeah, now is the fun time. Great work, I'm very jealous.

While not a pro booth, I built a paint booth in my outer shop with filtered heated air in and pulled air ducted to the outside. When going, the walls suck in. Already painted a couple brackets as a test and it worked great. Finally painting when it's 40 and raining outside. Couldn't smell anything in the inner shop or the house.

 

Now I need a second NS400R, so I can have one in the HRC livery and one in Rothmans. Sadly, its not a likely find these days, and prices are sky high. Love to find a fixer-upper.

Found my first NS in 1999 in my brother's buddy's shed where it had been stored for 10 yrs , got it for $1000 - I sold that one to a female porn star 2 yrs later. Pic in the NS400R.co.uk Gallery second column, 6th pic down
http://www.ns400r.co.uk/ns400r/gallery/gallery.htm

Found my current one in 2006

 

Wasn't the pictures I was hoping for...

 

Yea, but I bet its the first NS400R you have ever seen with Twin High Beams

 

Not "stock" either.