All things PAINTED.

[JerryAssburger]

Hi guys- I'm starting this hopefully as a resource for all of us to tap into. If this is a thread somewhere else on the forum, plz cancel it. I won't be butt-hurt.

I have at this point, very little to contribute to this thread except a tiny bit of personal experience.

So far, I'm learning that the most beautiful rattle-can paint job will NOT stand up to the normal abuse of gokart coating because of chips, dings and the occasional gas/oil spill. I found that a manufacturer makes a Urethane clear coat (SprayMax Urethane Aerosol Clear Coat) that has both parts separate in the same can. You get all your stuff ready, "activate" the can (mixing the two parts together) and you get a very tough coating. You have to use/coat all your stuff within a few hours or the leftover paint will cure and be no good. I've been restoring my wife's 1973 CB-175, and one of her requests was that I painted the tank/covers dark metallic blue. I used Duplicolor Mirage Blue/Red paint, thinking that the top-coat would be fuel-proof. NOT. So, I'm going to top-coat it with the SprayMax stuff- I'll report my findings here. I'm also going to try it out on the Lowrider v2.0, which won't have to meet my wife's exacting standards.... (I just want it rust-proof)
One of the questions raised is this: HarborFreight sells a Powder-Coat gun and the paint for a pretty reasonable price. Has anyone messed with this stuff, and would it work very well for our purposes?
Here are pix of my wife's bike so far:
http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m290/jerryassburger/100_0641sml.jpg
http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m290/jerryassburger/100_0645sml.jpg
http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m290/jerryassburger/100_0682sml.jpg
http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m290/jerryassburger/100_0781sml.jpg
...she wanted the racing stripes and badges off, so everything is smoothed over and a solid color. Should look pretty unique. We got the bike for very cheap, and it's in great mechanical condition.
Thanks in advance for any advice/info on painting.

[fluxcored]

Jerry, I came to the same conclusion as you and decided to rebuild a small compressor so that:

a. I can improve the quality of my finishing while keeping costs low.
b. Improve protection by applying an automotive clear coat over painted parts.

Still do'nt know whether I'm on the right track since I still need a throttle control for the compressor coz the petrol motor just idles and dies at 5bar - but I reckon my logic sounds good.

I'll be watching this thread with an eagle eye as I'm sure I can learn a lot from your experience.

[kibble]

I think it's great that you started this thread. I myself have been wanting to get into using something other than rattle-cans for paint. I don't like the way it chips off or dissolves when gas hits it. Anything you can add that you find is good information! :thumbsup:

[JerryAssburger]

I did a Google search on fuel-proof rattlecan paint, and the general opinion was that any paint that just evap-dries won't work, but the paints that have to be mixed (like an epoxy) are very tough and fuel-resistant. Not wanting to do the whole compressor/airgun thing, I found the Spraymax stuff for $20 a can, which, for the small jobs we do, is or should be perfect. I haven't read anything good or bad about whether it can cover other paintjobs without problem, though. My wife's bike is acrylic laquer- definitely not a tough paint coating.
Here is the SprayMax link I have.....
http://www2.spraymax.de/361.0.html?&L=1
and here is dealer's link......
http://www.repaintsupply.com/pd_2_part_2k_aerosol.cfm

[Russ2251]

Mr. Jerry:
I bought myself a Wagner spray gun kit (http://www.wagnerspraytech.com/portal/wagner_controlspray_spray,43203,747.html), Rustoleum primer (http://www.rustoleum.com/CBGProduct.asp?pid=35) and Rustoleum Sunrise Red. (http://www.rustoleum.com/CBGProduct.asp?pid=150)
Different colors can be mixed to get colors that don't show up on their color cards.
Excellent results and once cured, nothing will touch it.
I'll never use spay cans again. They are, for the most part, crap.

[2or3wheels]

LOOKS FANTASTIC gonna be a bad *** bike

[JerryAssburger]

WooHooo, RUSS! This looks good! I have one of those airguns that hooks up to my compressor- that'll shoot it, right? AND it IS fuel proof?!? What's the price been?
Mr. Jerry:
I bought myself a Wagner spray gun kit, Rustoleum primer and Rustoleum Sunrise Red.
Different colors can be mixed to get colors that don't show up on their color cards.
Excellent results and once cured, nothing will touch it.
I'll never use spay cans again. They are, for the most part, crap.

Unfortunately, it's too late for my wife's bike- we're commited to this stuff, but for future projects.....?

LOOKS FANTASTIC gonna be a bad *** bike

Thanks! She just wants to learn to ride on it, and then get a bigger-better bike. Me- I'm a lover of the old Honda twins, so it's a keeper to take out for the occasional buzz! We're going to be in about $400 after I get the new tires for it- not bad.

[Russ2251]

Wagner gun is self contained, that is, 110 v.
I had zero experience with any kind of spray equipment (other than rat cans).
I bought a quart of the red and after thinning to get it through gun, I ended up using less than a pint for 2 coats on my kart frame.
I've spilled gas on it with no visible effects. I forget how long it took to fully cure, but I believe I let it sit for about a week.
Before and after attached. Paint is is a little beat up after 2 years but did not lift or peel anywhere. No bare metal.

[2or3wheels]

yeah, i like the same era twin yamaha 2-stroke bikes the RD's. 400 only? 300 will get you a biek the "has good compression" with no title.

[fluxcored]

Not wanting to do the whole compressor/airgun thing

Jerry why did you decide not to opt for this?

I may be barking up a wrong tree here and let me tell you I'm having serious difficulty finding a throttle control so I expect it's going to cost me a packet.

[JerryAssburger]

Not wanting to do the whole compressor/airgun thing
Jerry why did you decide not to opt for this?
All that paint-mixing and not getting it right stuff. I am a horrible painter.

[JerryAssburger]

Okay... for the Lowrider project, I decided to try Russ' idea and purchased a quart of Rustoleum Stops Rust Protective Enamel in Gloss Sail Blue #7724 for only $8. If this works....! I coated the frame with Rustoleum Rust-Reformer first, since the frame picked up a bit of "patina" from sitting on the back porch by the evap-cooler. I have a Craftsman SprayGun 919.15624 with more knobs than the Time Machine in Kibble's basement, and it's gonna take some figuring out. All it says is keep the air pressure below 50psi. Here is a picture of my bargain ($1.80) at Goodwill:
http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m290/jerryassburger/100_0813sml.jpg
If anyone has any idea on what knob does what- plz let me know. I don't want to cause any errors in the Space/Time Continuum.

[MDMike]

top knob USUALLY controls the spray pattern (fan to point)
The bottom knob controls the amount of air

[jr dragster Tyler]

When it comes to painting DONT go cheap. This is my painting setup. The gun recomends 1.5-2 HP compressor but I think our 240 volt 3 HP 60 gallon is plenty. A gravity feed gun is a bit better than the can style. I got this gun for $45, Regular price was $100. The bottom knob is for air ajustment and the wheel on the side is for the width of the fan And the top knob is the fluid controll. These are some headers painted VERY well IMO.
Remember The gun must be disaembled after every use and soaked in a thinning agent. Make sure you get the "Needle" and "seat" Very clean. I know it's a bit of a hassle but its worth it.

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll33/juniordragster123/DSC02470.jpg

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll33/juniordragster123/DSC02469.jpg


http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll33/juniordragster123/DSC02467.jpg



http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll33/juniordragster123/DSC02471.jpg

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll33/juniordragster123/DSC02472.jpg

[MDMike]

a hvlp gun does use less paint and leave less over spray, however if you only paint a little, a Suction gun is fine, they will both produce the same result. Ive painted MANY times with both, whole cars etc, and the finish is the same, you just have to get used to each one .

[JerryAssburger]

THX, MDMike! This will be a fun project. Does anyone know what the big deal is with powder-coating? If they could explain it to the rest of us, that'd be cool.

[jr dragster Tyler]

Powder coated is a dry power that is statically charged and stuck to the metel. Then it is baked onto the suraface and the looks are outstanding and VERY durable.

[fluxcored]

Yep, recently had one of my projects powder coated. It's a quality finish and very very professional looking and yes - very durable.

Some reckon it's expensive - I do'nt.

I'm pickin up a working compressor with all the guns + some automotive clear coat for free at the end of the month. I think it's a small electric type compressor but hey - it's for free.

Found out that my engine driven one does'nt really need a throttle control so all I need to do now is service the pump + engine and hopefully the guns and hose that I'm getting will work on this as well.

Tyler - you've got a darn smart setup there.I'll never be able to match that.

[jr dragster Tyler]

Yep, recently had one of my projects powder coated. It's a quality finish and very very professional looking and yes - very durable.

Some reckon it's expensive - I do'nt.

I'm pickin up a working compressor with all the guns + some automotive clear coat for free at the end of the month. I think it's a small electric type compressor but hey - it's for free.

Found out that my engine driven one does'nt really need a throttle control so all I need to do now is service the pump + engine and hopefully the guns and hose that I'm getting will work on this as well.

Tyler - you've got a darn smart setup there.I'll never be able to match that.
Thank you.

[JerryAssburger]

Hey jr dragster Tyler ! Thanks for the info! It seems like PowderCoating would be cool for the stuff that can be baked (like rims, etc.) I'm going to attempt (heavy emphasis on on "attempt"!) painting my frame with the Rustoleum and air gun that I don't know how to use in a couple of days. It can't look any uglier, so by that reasoning, this should go well......:confused:

[modelengineer]

Has anyone here tried POR-15 paint? I am thinking of using it on my buggy when it's complete. It seems pretty good, but I'd like to hear from people who've used the stuff. I would be covering it with "blackcote" from the same people.

Link: http://ppc.au.com/ or http://www.por15.com/

[jr dragster Tyler]

Go for it Jerry! It only took us 30 seconds of practising on a peice of plywood.

[JerryAssburger]

Go for it Jerry! It only took us 30 seconds of practising on a peice of plywood.

I have a rusted-out old Evap Cooler in the work area that I'll shoot for practice!

MTV's "Pimp My Cooler, Dawg"
...Word!

[sayre315]

yea
powder coating is where the paint is i think - charged and the part being painted is + charged and the paint sticks to the part through electricity

[kibble]

yea
powder coating is where the paint is i think - charged and the part being painted is + charged and the paint sticks to the part through electricity

Then you have to bake it.

[JerryAssburger]

As you'll see in the other thread, I painted the kart. Sorta. Well, I changed its color.
Here's some notes....
I'm not sure if this is how it's supposed to happen, but I mixed the Rustoleum with about 20% acetone. Poured it into the spraygun, and the minute I hooked it up to my compressor, the air started shooting without me pulling the trigger! When I did pull the trigger, the paint came out. I'm not sure if the air is supposed to be always on, but that forced my little compressor (2hp/5gal) to barely keep up. I had to disconnect the gun a couple of times, just to build up enough psi. It's pretty easy to go from, "That looks about right" to "Oh CRAP, it's running!"
Luckily, this is just a gokart with the biggest surface being a 2 1/2" square tube.... If this were the hood of my car, I'd be screaming right now.
I now know the value of a big compressor.
The paint itself is awesome. This stuff would stick oil to teflon! It kinda reminds me of something like Battleship Grey paint, except in different colors.
Will I use a gun again? Not likely. I think the guns are for big projects. I used Rustoleum Protective Enamel on the wheels (rattlecan) and it sticks pretty darned good. The light-blue parts on the clutches were done with Duplicolor Engine Enamel, and I've pretty good luck with that. (my blue ATC was done with the engine enamel)

All in all, I just wanted to "get through it" after finding out that my painting skills SUCK.

... this crap is still on my hands, even after acetone, scrubbing with scotch-brite pads and straight Dawn! So I think it's a success.

[MDMike]

The air came out without pulling the trigger - you have to adjust the lower knob on the rear of the gun, its to far in.
Its a needle jet that alows air though, like a mixture screw on a carb.

Don't give up on the spray gun, mess around with it, soon you'll be happy you did cause the paint jobs are 100% better, and using Automotive type paints, there more durable. - my 2 cents

Besides, doesn't it feel great to be able to say "I built it all, down to paint"?

[jr dragster Tyler]

yea
powder coating is where the paint is i think - charged and the part being painted is + charged and the paint sticks to the part through electricity

Its not a paint what-so-ever. Its not liquidy either. Its just a dry powder that gets statically charged onto the materiel then baked on.

[JerryAssburger]

I ordered some of that SprayMax 2k Urethane for my wife's bike parts. I'll let you guys know how that goes. I think it'll look great over her "Mirage" Blue/Red paint job!

[newrider3]

I found this (http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/itemdisplay/displayItem.do?itemid=44677) whilst browsing a coupon e-mail from good 'ol Harbor Freight. Looks promising, if a bit expensive. Still cheaper than a whole compressor and auto gun set up, though.

[JerryAssburger]

I ordered some of that SprayMax 2k Urethane for my wife's bike parts. I'll let you guys know how that goes. I think it'll look great over her "Mirage" Blue/Red paint job!

Hey guys! I used that Spraymax 2k urethane on my wife's bike, the clean parts of the Lowrider, and on the B/S 2-stroke engine. (Once you activate the can, you've got about 24hrs to use it). If this turns out to dry as nice as it looks now (an hour later) I'm one happy guy. Her bike parts look really nice (3 coats), and I just coated the other items because I had some left over. I'll let you all know how it turns out tomorrow morning-ish. (12 hour dry time).

[fluxcored]

I found this (http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/itemdisplay/displayItem.do?itemid=44677) whilst browsing a coupon e-mail from good 'ol Harbor Freight. Looks promising, if a bit expensive. Still cheaper than a whole compressor and auto gun set up, though.

More or less the same setup I picked up this weekend. The guy said it'll be more than adequate for my needs. I'm just cleaning it up a bit and need to replace the hose then I'm hopefully set.

[JerryAssburger]

Those HVLP guns look cool. For my "just try to make it look less ugly than it is" paint projects (most everything I do) I'm pretty happy with the Rustoleum. That stuff is STICKY! It's doing great on the LR v2 project so far.

[JerryAssburger]

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m290/jerryassburger/100_0968sml.jpg

Here's my wife's bike..... It still needs a lot of finishing, etc, but the paint job turned ok. When done, I'll take some daylight pix.

[iwanttogofast]

get a sos pad and make that chrome shine on the fenders and exhaust....it is a lil abrasive but i did bike rims and other rusted chrome parts and they looked awesome.

[JerryAssburger]

I like using BriteBoy on the chrome bits- there's more to be done with her bike before I start detailing it yet. The above picture was just to show the tank/covers on the bike. I'm going to take black rustoleum to the rusty parts on the frame. Beats the heck out of what it looked like the 1st day!
http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m290/jerryassburger/100_0642sml.jpg

[iwanttogofast]

briteboy?

[modelengineer]

Google it, it's not that difficult.

[Russ2251]

Google it, it's not that difficult.Right. Why even bother having this great forum.
briteboy?I would also like to know.

[modelengineer]

O come on that's just slack. I like this forum!

But seriously, It takes like 5 seconds. It's a stainless steel and chrome metal polish.

[iwanttogofast]

thanks man so next time someone comes on here about a question i will also be a *** and tell them to google it. ohh never mind im not a ***.

[modelengineer]

OK, calm down everyone. I think I get the picture, can we move on now?

I think I remember this topic being about some kind of paint, or paint related project?

[JerryAssburger]

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m290/jerryassburger/100_0974sml.jpg

Here is the semi-finished CB175 project. The seat I bought for it doesn't fit, the bettery is out of our budget for now (that's why the gel-cell is strapped on the back) and the carbs are shot- they work, sorta but I can't get the pins out of the floats to rebuild them, so I'm going to take the easy route and find better carbs. Took it around the neighborhood today and put it's 1st 1 1/2 miles on it in the last 10 years!

[JerryAssburger]

WOW! I forgot to answer a question- sorry about that. Brite-Boy is like a chrome/copper polish... smells almost like pee (must have ammonia in it.) and it works pretty good. I think any chrome-polish would work fine on it, but we have Brite-Boy under the kitchen sink, and I'm a cheap-skate. No news there.

[fluxcored]

Jerry, it really looks very good.

[fluxcored]

Poured it into the spraygun, and the minute I hooked it up to my compressor, the air started shooting without me pulling the trigger! When I did pull the trigger, the paint came out. I'm not sure if the air is supposed to be always on, but that forced my little compressor (2hp/5gal) to barely keep up.

My gun does the same and discovered that this is normal - I apparently have a bleeder type HVLP spray gun.

[ryf]

my paint scheme for my off road cart is to paint the bottom with black rustoleum, then bed coating, the rest of the frame I'm going dark green rattle can, then spray with automotive clearcoat, I've use this process on bicycles, and it looks and holds up well as long as you get the paint right before clearcoat, sealing in garbage is still garbage. the bed coating is simply because its the only thing I've seen hold up other than powder coat, and its held up VERY well other than it fades with UV, but the floorpans and bottom sheet metal don't matter to me, it will hold up better than paint to sliding across trees, so I'm in.

If you want to try powder coating, get the HF sprayer, but order QUALITY UV safe powdercoat, or else it fade without a clearcoat, also plan on having to redrill/clear every snug hole as its thick tough stuff, but thats not a bad thing, just an FYI. the HF powdercoater works fine, but why risk having to tear it down and do it over with their low quality coatings. (I would use an HF paint sprayer, butif they sold paint I would avoid it, why risk all the extra work?)

[kibble]

Check this out, I don't know how many of you know about these, but I didn't know that they existed until today. They are paint can spray grips. You can use them with any standard paint can and make using spray cans soooooo much easier and more controllable than trying to do the whole thing with just your finger, (plus it prevents getting your fingers all gooey with paint).

My friend and I went to a local lawn and garden shop cause he was going buy a can of primer. He noticed these hanging there by the paint cans and decided to buy one, I did too! We used his to primer and paint a mount we made for his truck and it turned out really nice.