Damien

[Functional Artist]

I figured that it would be best to spray the color, on the kart first
...then, give everything a couple of coats of the clear (while I had it mixed up & in the gun).

But, before that we gotta put some stuff together.

Partial Assembly
Prior to painting, (the black base coat) I assembled some stuff like the steering shaft (because it always seems to get scraped during assembly)
…& then, before the top coats, I assembled a few other things like the spindles & tie-rods (the bolt heads always gets scuffed if I put a wrench on 'em after paint)
yup, then some/a bunch of cleanin' (so dusty in just a few days)

 

[Functional Artist]

I cleaned 'er up, mostly outside then, put 'er in the DIY paint booth
…& gave everything a final wipe down.

Now to get our color shifting "paint" mixed.

It's basically just "special" powder (magic dust) that ya add to a clear "binder".

The clear that I am using is a 2K (2 component) system.
It's to be mixed @ a 3:1 ratio with the activator (hardener)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Automotive...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649

That would be ~19g. per qt. (32 oz.), ~9g. per pint (16 oz.) & then ~5g. to a 1/2 pint (8 oz.)

I'm gonna try 8 oz. This kart doesn't have many flat areas, mostly bars
...& I only need to put a couple of light coats

I don't want to mix up more than I need (once activated it only has ~4 hr. "pot life")

So, next we need a paint mixing cup, for the 3:1 ratio
...& a scale to weigh the powder.

 

[Functional Artist]

Well, to end up with ~8oz. of material @ a 3:1 ratio after mixing, we'll start by pouring 6oz. of the clear into the mixing cup
…& then, adding 2oz. of the activator.

After mixing that mixture well (~2-3 min) I added ~5g. of the "magic dust" & spent another 2-3 min mixing that up good.

Then, I loaded it up into a spray gun & headed out to the paint booth.

While test spraying I accidentally got some on the rims (on the inside side)
...so, I thought what the heck, I'll go ahead & spray the inside side to "flip" or change colors too.
(just to see how it would look)
...the out side will still be black

 

[Functional Artist]

I almost forgot to spray the swing arm.
So, I gav'er a quick wipe down
...& just hung it from the clothesline.

Well, for not workin' with or using an actual spray gun for years
...then, using a new/unfamiliar spray gun (HVLP)
...with new & unfamiliar paint & materials

I think it turned out "pretty good"
...it kinda "flips"

I'd giv'er probably a 6 out of 10.

* There's a learning curve to this
...don't worry, I'll do better next time.

** If ya look closely, the clear is totally running/drippin' off of the bottom edge of the swing arm.
I think the tip in the spray gun was too big.

 

[landuse]

That is an awesome colour!!!

 

[Functional Artist]

Is it blue or is it purple?
...kinda depends on your point of view

Here are a few more "color shifting" pics

After letting the paint dry/harden for a few days
...it's time to get 'er reassembled

I installed the rear axle onto the swing arm first
...then started installing the swing arm onto the kart.

 

[Functional Artist]

I suggest that (for safety reasons) you use some good locktite on those bolts. It doesn't need to be the permanent thread-lock, it just needs to be strong enough to keep those bolts from backing out while riding.

I didn't forget.

Used some for mounting the caliper too.

 

[Functional Artist]

Finally gonna put these Unelli tires to use (they been sittin' around here for like a year now)

The rims have (2) different profiles on the outer edges
…(1) side seems to curves in a bit

So, I bolted a rim down to the work bench (with the "curved in" side upwards)
...kinda like a third hand to help hold it in place

I lubricated the inside (bead) of the tire & rim with some dishsoap
…& was able to just "muscle" the first side on.

The second side wasn't as easy
...just had to use a little ingenuity, lubricant & some tools.

Then, I had to pressurize 'em & deflate 'em a few times to get the bead to slide a bit & seat.

They looks pretty good.

 

[Functional Artist]

I knew they were small
...but, WOW!
I must say "these are some really small tires"

The rear wheels off of the Torsk kart are 13 x 6.50 - 6 (~13" tall)
…& the fronts are 13 x 5.00 - 6 (~12" tall)

These Unelli's are 10.5 x 4.50 - 6
…but, only ~10 1/2" tall

 

[JTSpeedDemon]

The tire size already says that they're 10.5" tall....

 

[Functional Artist]

The tire size already says that they're 10.5" tall....

Yea, yea, I know
...but, still

 

[Functional Artist]

Once I got the wheels mounted (don't forget the keys)
*the left rear wheel needed to be off until I got the brake cable installed

I started installing the electronics.

I have it set up as pretty much a "modular" system so, I just bolted the control box down
...then, mounted the motor
...then, the dash
...& then, finally the steering wheel/hand controls.

 

[landuse]

Looking good!

 

[Functional Artist]

Ran, attached & adjusted the brake cable
...then, used a couple of zip ties to keep the wiring harness & brake cable in place.

 

[Functional Artist]

Now that we have brakes, we need to add the brake lights.

Since this kart has a 48V system, we need (4) 12V lights, wired in series.

 

[Functional Artist]

Gettin' the brake lights wired up

The white wire from light #1 is the negative (-) RTN
…& the black wire from light #4 is the positive (+) input

I connected the black wire from light #1 to the white wire on light #2
…the black wire from light #2 to the white wire on light #3
…the black wire from light #3 to the white wire from light #4
…& finally, the power/RTN wires from the harness.

I drilled holes in the protective boxes, for the wires to run thru
...then bolted 'em down.

Looks good-n-solid

BOOM!, we have brake lights

 

[JTSpeedDemon]

Sooo, how close are we to seeing a fully completed test drive?

 

[Tpdingo]

Sooo, how close are we to seeing a fully completed test drive?

Functional Art is never completed.

 

[JTSpeedDemon]

It is certainly Functional Art.
Even though I haven't seen a fully completed photo yet, I can tell it's gonna be real purty!

 

[landuse]

Nice going Kevin. I have always liked your attention to detail